Mortuary Science
Earn an Associate of Applied Science in Mortuary Science and provide services and support for those who have experienced the death of a loved one.
Empathy, communication, and an interest in human services are a few of the qualities that our Mortuary Science students possess. Our mission is to educate you in every phase of funeral service to develop both the social and technical skills necessary to be successful in the profession. We are nationally recognized because of our high standards, small class sizes, and online course options and we have the only program of its kind in Colorado. Our faculty are national conference presenters, widely published, and have over 30 years of clinical embalming experience. With your Associate of Applied Science degree in Mortuary Science, you will be one step closer to helping the deceased and their loved ones in such a crucial time.
Mortuary Science Application Deadline
The application process for the Mortuary Science program will be available on December through February 28 for the following fall semester each year.
*Students on the pre-mortuary science track are not part of the Mortuary Science Program. Taking pre-mortuary science courses does not mean a student is in the program, nor does it guarantee future acceptance.
Admission to the Mortuary Science Program requires a separate application process. Only after formal acceptance are students considered members of the Mortuary Science Program. We strongly advise all interested students to thoroughly review our admission requirements and application procedures.
It is important to understand that meeting the minimum requirements for application does not ensure acceptance into the Mortuary Science Program. Acceptance is based on a comprehensive review of each applicant.
How to Apply
If you are an ACC student already, login to your ACC application account. Start a new application with “Mortuary Science, Associate of Applied Science” as the major and select the semester for program start. The MOR program ONLY admits students in Fall semesters, so you must select a Fall semester. Once you complete the new application, you will get follow-up emails about the supplemental items and further instructions. If you are new to ACC and have all of your appropriate prerequisite coursework nearing completion, login to or begin the ACC application. Start a new application with “Mortuary Science, Associate of Applied Science” as the major and select starting semester.
CIP 120301 (MOR)
Mortuary Science is a field of human and community service which offers a variety of work, intellectual challenge and satisfaction of helping the bereaved through life's most trying period. The program prepares individuals to become a mortuary science practitioner, funeral director and embalmer.
Accreditation Status: The Mortuary Science Program at Arapahoe Community College is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE). The Board can be reached at 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097, 816.233.3747, www.abfse.org.
National Board Examination scores, graduation rates, and employment rates for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at www.abfse.org in the Directory of Accredited Programs.
Admission Requirements
- Admission to Arapahoe Community College
- Complete a Mortuary Science Application
Program Requirements
As of Spring 2025, enrollment in all MOR courses and HPR 1058 will require official acceptance into the Mortuary Science program. Please speak to an advisor before attempting to enroll in MOR and HPR 1058 courses as financial aid may be impacted.
Graduation Requirements
- All MOR courses must be completed within four years of starting the Major Courses.
- All major, general education and other courses required for this degree must be completed with a "C" or better to meet graduation requirements (major courses may only be repeated once).
- Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
- As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.
ACC academic plans will help guide you through your chosen program. The academic plan will provide you with important information, like which semesters courses are offered if there are any prerequisites or co-requisites for courses, program outcomes, course sequence recommendations, notes for the program, graduation requirements, and other important information. These are updated annually, so we recommend downloading a copy of yours to keep on track to graduation.
The Mortuary Science associate degree program at Arapahoe Community College is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097 (816) 233-3747. Web: www.abfse.org.
National Board Examination scores, graduation rates, and employment rates for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at www.abfse.org.
| Ranking Criteria | Criteria Points | Points Earned |
|---|---|---|
| Grade Point Average ACC 1021 (3 credits); BIO 2101 (4 credits); BIO 2102 (4 credits); BUS 2016 (3 credits); MAN 1028 (3 credits); ENG 1021 (3 credits); PSY 1001 (3 credits); COM 1250 (3 credits) | GPA is calculated on ACC required general ed classes only. Having degrees or additional classes outside the required general eds do not earn an applicant additional points. | Grade Value
|
| Field Experience from Resume | Mortuary Science Employment or other Deathcare-related roles. Acceptable roles include funeral home, crematory, cemetery, water crematory, natural organic reduction, organ/tissue recovery/coordination, coroner work. | 1 point per year of experience |
General Eds ACC 1021 (3 credits); BIO 2101 (4 credits); BIO 2102 (4 credits); BUS 2016 (3 credits); MAN 1028 (3 credits); ENG 1021 (3 credits); PSY 1001 (3 credits); COM 1250 (3 credits) | Full-Time Track:
Part-Time Track:
| Full-Time Track:
Part-Time Track:
|
| Video Statement | The 2-3 minute video statement (prompts to be provided on application) is intended to give the application committee insight into how well an applicant presents themself professionally. | 3 possible points |
- Complete a Criminal Background Check through ACC. View disqualifying events information
Note: Criminal background checks require a fee and the applicant's social security number. Should the background check reveal any disqualifying factors or a positive drug screen, the student will be required to drop the program.
| Year | Total Enrolled | # of New Students | # of Grads | Timely Grad* | Graduation Rate** | Did Not Finish*** | Overall % Employed | Employed in FS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 112 | 53 | 47 | 46/47 | 98% | 2 | 96% | 94% |
| 2023 | 119 | 57 | 43 | 43/43 | 97% | 2 | 91% | 91% |
| 2022 | 115 | 47 | 41 | 41/41 | 95% | 5 | 98% | 90% |
*Timely graduation = complete program in 1½ times designated program length.
**Graduation rate reflects cohort graduation rate (% of students from original cohort completing in the designated year)
***Left before completing the program; did not finish.
Visit ACC's ABFSE page for more information.
| Arts | Takers | School Pass Rate | National Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 28 | 71% | 78% |
| 2023 | 31 | 90% | 78% |
| 2022 | 31 | 55% | 69% |
| Sciences | Takers | School Pass Rate | National Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 27 | 63% | 73% |
| 2023 | 31 | 94% | 69% |
| 2022 | 31 | 58% | 64% |
School pass rate is based on 1st time test takers within one year of graduation.
Contact the program directly for information regarding success of Distance Education graduates.
Visit ACC's ABFSE page for more information.
The mission of the ACC Mortuary Science Program is to educate students in every phase of funeral service so that program graduates are prepared for entry-level employment in funeral service. In support of this mission, the program as adopted the following Learning Outcomes:
- Explain the importance of funeral service professionals in developing relationships with the families and communities they serve.
- Identify standards of ethical conduct in funeral service practice.
- Interpret how federal, state, and local laws apply to funeral service in order to ensure compliance.
- Apply principles of public health and safety in the handling and preparation of human remains.
- Demonstrate technical skills in embalming and restorative art that are necessary for the preparation and handling of human remains.
- Demonstrate skills required for conducting arrangement conferences, visitations, services, and ceremonies.
- Describe the requirements and procedures for burial, cremation, and other accepted forms of final disposition of human remains.
- Describe methods to address the grief-related needs of the bereaved.
- Explain management skills associated with operating a funeral establishment.
- Demonstrate verbal and written communication skills and research skills needed for funeral service practice.
You'll also be eligible to take the National Board Exam (NBE). Compare NBE statistics.
To learn more, please review the licensure information provided for the program of interest on our Professional Licensure page.
Job Opportunities in Mortuary Science
Meet the Mortuary Science Faculty and Instructors
