Course Listings and Descriptions
IMPORTANT: A minimum of 54 earned credits must be completed to be eligible to enroll in the Clinical Cooperative program. A Comprehensive Review is taken in the last term after all academic courses have been completed.
Anatomy for Funeral Professionals PS101
Prerequisite for NS201 Anatomy for Funeral Professions 2
The basic language of the sciences will be the focus of this course. Study and use of word parts—prefix, word root and suffix– will be stressed. While scientific words used in all areas of science will be studied, elementary anatomy mainly will be considered to reinforce the language used in the advanced courses. In addition, improvement of study skills especially needed for learning and remembering the words and concepts in a science course will be reviewed.
Anatomy for Funeral Professions 2 NS201
Prerequisite for Embalming EM221, Pathology PA230 and Restorative Art RA230
This course is in the realm of natural science based on anatomy and physiology. It is introductory in nature, covers general information of practical use to any student interested in knowing about the structure and function of the human body. The course is systems oriented with emphasis on osteology, muscles, circulation, and the respiratory, urinary, endocrine, reproductive, digestive, and nervous systems. Topics also will include anatomical and physiological terms, planes of reference and body cavities and their content.
Applied Communications RF302
This course emphasizes understanding and appreciation of communication skills as they relate to selection, organization, and expression of ideas. In written presentations, grammar and spelling as well as content will be evaluated. Reading and speaking skills plus writing assignments, including documented papers will develop the student’s ability to communicate more clearly and effectively. Students will be expected to use computer databases to research information for papers and oral presentations. Two Major objectives of this course are: 1. To aid the student in reflecting on his/her FMC educational experience. 2. To help him/her begin to think about continuing to apply the education and practical experiences encountered at FMC following graduation
Business Basics BB101
Prerequisite for Essentials of Accounting EB221 and Law and Ethics LE230
A survey of elementary Accounting, Computing Skills, Small Business Management and Law will be covered. Fundamental math skills are reviewed. Business terms and concepts that are introduced will be followed up in the subsequent business-related courses.
Clinical Cooperative 1 CC306
A minimum of 54 earned credits must be completed to be eligible to enroll in the Clinical Cooperative program. All prerequisites must be completed. Clinical Cooperative I (CC306) and Applied Communications(RF302) may be taken concurrently if Applied Communications has not already been completed in a prior term.
The purpose of CC306, Clinical Cooperative 1, is to provide the student with introductory practical instruction and active participation in the embalming of human remains, including but not limited to: personal protective equipment and “Universal Precautions”, cleaning and disinfection of remains, pre-embalming treatments, the embalming, post-embalming treatments and restorative operations, cosmeticizing, dressing, and casketing of the remains. Students will learn and apply all applicable OSHA requirements, state, local and federal regulations related to the care of the dead and the operation and maintenance of a funeral home establishment.
Additionally, an FMC Clinical Coordinator or Faculty Member will visit the Preceptor Site BEFORE the start of the student’s clinical experience to ensure the facility is properly equipped and he/she will verify that the student is properly versed in the use, location and protocols associated with preparation facility.
Clinical Cooperative 2 CC307
A minimum of 54 earned credits must be completed to be eligible to enroll in the Clinical Cooperative program. All prerequisites must be completed. Clinical Cooperative 2 (CC307) and Comprehensive Review (RV232) are taken in the last term and/or the Comprehensive Studies course may be taken on its own after completing CC307. In this course the student will continue to develop their practical embalming knowledge and skills through the completion 5 additional embalming cases, one of which will be a competency embalming. The competency embalming will take place in one of FMC’s approved Certification Sites under the supervision of a Certifying Faculty Member. In addition, the student is expected to focus on the business and legal aspects of maintaining a success funeral business. The student will be expected to observe two arrangements, an at-need case as well as a pre-need case.
The student will then have an opportunity to demonstrate their arrangement abilities by conducting a Mock Arrangement while being observed by an FMC licensed funeral service professional. Throughout this course the student is also expected to gain experience under the watchful eye of the Preceptor in displaying and marketing merchandise, become aware of and dealing with the relationship between costs and income when running a successful firm and the necessity and ways of promoting the funeral home in the community. Only by repeated practice under the guidance of the Preceptor can the student hope to gain confidence and skills not only to complete a funeral on his/her own, but also to maintain a successful funeral business.
Comprehensive Review RV232
Students will take this course during their last academic term to review and re-enforce the information, which was covered and learned in their FMC coursework. Only those topics tested on the National Board Exam (NBE) will be reviewed. Students will be required to complete weekly homework assignments and pass final exams on each weekly topic from the National Board Exam (NBE).
Directed Studies DS099
Carries no course credits; taken with a selected basic academic course for credit
Since most material on quizzes and exams at FMC are covered in classroom lectures, this course will focus on the techniques of listening, observation, note taking, and testing to assist students in making better use of the classroom lecture as a fundamental learning tool and to suggest strategies for reading and answering test questions. Students enrolled in Directed Studies must be simultaneously enrolled in the same selected FMC introductory course such as: Introduction to the Social Science, Business Basics, etc. The course content of the Directed Studies course will be drawn from the selected introductory course. For example, a discussion on note taking might include an analysis of a tape-recorded segment of an actual lecture from the introductory course.
NOTE: SK099 and DS099 are Pass-Fail courses with no academic credits earned
Embalming EM221
Initially the history and the reasons for the development of embalming will be reviewed. The changes which occur from immediately before the death to shortly following the death and how these changes impact the embalming procedure will be examined. The various pieces of equipment used for the embalming procedure and the way in which they work will be discussed. A review of the chemistry of decomposition and of embalming plus the anatomy of the circulatory system including the triangles, vessels used, and the anatomical guides and lines will be emphasized. The OSHA hazard communication standard and the Medical Waste Tracking Act also will be examined.
Embalming Chemistry EC212
Prerequisite for Embalming EM221
An introduction to the basic principles of inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry, will be followed by the chemistry of disinfection, embalming and cosmetology. The nature of decomposition, formulation of embalming chemicals and disinfectants and their functions are stressed. Emphasis is placed on chemical terms and reactions which are necessary to appreciate the need to retard decomposition, prevent the spread of disease and aid in making the remains presentable to the bereaved.
Essentials of Accounting EB221
Basic accounting practices will be reviewed and those concepts pertaining to funeral service will be emphasized. This course also will review the practical use of computers in funeral service. Lastly, management principles as they affect funeral service and the interaction with families and the community will be reviewed.
Funeral Directing FD221
Prerequisite for Marketing and Merchandising MM230 and Law and Ethics LE230
The practical aspects of funeral directing and operations of the funeral home as a small business are the emphasis of this course. Family interactions during home removal of the body and discussions at the home of the deceased, meetings with the family at the funeral home, merchandise selection, crisis counseling, the role of the funeral director at the wake or calling hours, and at the place of the service will be examined. How to handle difficult families or situations will be discussed. Role playing is an important part of these aspects of the course. Filling out of death certificates, various government benefit forms, filing death notices and arrangement conferences will be covered. Additional considerations of the management of the funeral home as a small business and the religious and cultural variations across the population are considered.
Funeral Profession FP212
Prerequisite for Marketing and Merchandising MM230 and Law and Ethics LE230
This course begins with a brief history of funeral service. It covers topics from the ancient civilizations’ death and burial customs through the Middle Ages and the renaissance to the rise of medical embalmers and the English undertaker. It examines the rise of North American funeral customs from early colonial times to the development of the contemporary funeral practices. Important differences and similarities between the various religious traditions prevalent in modern American society will be discussed. The psychological, sociological, and religious purposes of the funeral service are discussed. Lastly, the sociologic implications of funeralization are given. This includes a discussion of the changes in symbolism and customs of funeral service resulting from changes in the family structure in this country. Woven throughout this course is an emphasis of helping the student to communicate information learned, through verbal and written means, to their classmates. Each student will observe and report on 5 funeral services
Funeral Service Management FM 201
Prerequisite: Essentials of Accounting
This course will cover management technique and theory as they apply specifically to funeral service and ownership of a funeral establishment. Students will examine the scope of operational policies and procedures within a funeral home and will discuss the process of handling situations within house management versus outside consultants. The importance of regulatory compliance from a management perspective will be discussed in detail, with a focus on Federal FTC regulations. The FTC Funeral Rule will be fully reviewed and covered in full.
Introduction Chemistry and Microbiology CM101
Prerequisite for Embalming Chemistry EC212 and Microbiology/Sanitation/Public Health SP221
The basic principles of each of these disciplines will be discussed. Students will study aspects of basic inorganic chemistry including modern atomic theory and organic chemistry including the 12 basic molecular types. The chemistry of disinfection and sterilization will be reviewed. Pathogens and the diseases they cause, prevention of disease, some of the mechanisms for disease communication and how to protect the population from transmission of infections will be covered.
Introduction to Social Science SS101
Prerequisite for Psychology of Grief PS212
In this basic course the students will gain a broad general introduction to the social sciences, primarily psychology and sociology, to understand the more advanced courses such as Grief Psychology, Sociology, History and Funeral Directing. This course also will aid students in improving their reading and writing abilities. It also will review study skills and how successfully to apply them as they study. Skills such as note taking, time allotment, determination of the most relevant course information and the best environmental conditions for study are reviewed using the course data and concepts as an example.
Issues and Concerns of a Modern Funeral Professional SE102
Funeral service personnel are faced with a wide variety of families with a variety of ideas, needs, and wants. This course focuses on the cremation process, the industry terms, along with other trendy disposition topics. Often times funeral directors are too busy to allow themselves time to experience funeral related seminars, workshops, or other related funeral industry events keeping that in mind this course will host exclusive guest speakers to discuss the casket industry, the technology that is making waves, donor service programs, green burials and other alternatives and death doulas. This course will allow the professional to experience a wider range of information and understanding than he/she would otherwise have. Often this information is not and cannot be provided by academic courses. Examples of course work include participation in discussion regarding current topics, interaction with the content, a book study, listening to in-house speakers such as allied health professionals, clergy, and grief caregivers, as well as funeral service professionals. In addition, this seminar course will require some readings and reports.
Law and Ethics LE230
The purpose of this course is to examine the areas of law and ethics. The course will begin with a study of Business Law. During this phase, students will examine federal, state, and local legal requirements for conducting business. Since Mortuary Law is of major importance to students studying to be funeral service professionals, much of the course will examine those local, state, and federal laws which involve consumers arranging for funerals, both at-need and pre-need. Discussion of funeral funding plans such as trust funds and life insurance will also be included. The legal aspects of employer/employee relations in the funeral home, and the law governing actions of funeral directors as agents are also considered. Last, students will consider the major role that ethics plays in the funeral business and life of the funeral director/embalmer.
Marketing and Merchandising MM230
Merchandising and pricing techniques plus methods of display within casket/vault/ clothing selection area and The Federal Trade Commission Funeral Rule will be discussed in detail. This course also will examine the evolution of the funeral director’s role as a provider of funeral goods and services. Construction of caskets, coffins, and outer burial containers and the material of which they are made will be examined. Several theories of casket display and markup and pricing strategies will be considered in depth.
Microbiology/Sanitation/Public Health SP221
Prerequisite for Pathology PA230)
With special application to funeral service, this course examines the basic principles of microbial physiology and immunology. The significant areas covered are disinfection, control, prevention, pathology, and epidemiology of bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoan diseases. The role of these organisms in decomposition, the position of the funeral director in public health, the basic concepts of disinfection and sanitary consideration of other health measures such as waste safeguards in the preparation room and the purification and chemical disposal will be examined.
Pathology PA230
This course introduces the student to the basics of pathology beginning with the history of pathology followed by terms necessary to discuss diseases and their implications. Later discussions of the major diseases affecting the body systems and their impact on embalming and restorative art are discussed. Importance is placed on the recognition and descriptions of diseases which are contagious at or shortly following the death. Safety measures involving removals and embalming are discussed
Psychology of Grief PS212
In this advanced psychology course students will gain an understanding of the phases of grief, and what the funeral director can expect from client families in grief. The influence of the bereaved person’s culture and religion and of the psychological and sociological environment in which the bereaved lives on grief and mourning will be considered. The differences between grief counseling and grief therapy are discussed. The process for making referrals to competent professionals of persons experiencing complicated mourning is considered. The role of the funeral director as a crisis intervention counselor who guides client families through arranging a meaningful funeral is developed. Finally, the effect of stress and possible burn out of the funeral director will be covered.
Restorative Art RA230
The purpose for this course is to provide the student with the techniques, terminology, and basic principles of restorative art. The anatomy of the facial area and the hands will be reinforced. Practical experience using mortuary cosmetics, waxes, and heads to produce facial features and a complete head and face is an important feature of this course. The course will prepare the student for the reconstruction of body parts distorted by traumatic injury and disease. The theory of color and its relation to displays of the deceased, chapel and casket display room lighting and various restorative art techniques and concepts is emphasized. An overview of cosmetics, a review of the composition of mortuary cosmetics and their use also will be included in this course.
Study Skills Improvement SK099
Carries no course credits
This course will help students who come to FMC deficient in study and reading skills gain the ability to read, comprehend course materials and organize their course work to study efficiently and remember the necessary information. Memorizing skills, highlighting, making, and using flash cards, selecting important concepts from large bodies of material and other techniques to aid student learning will be reviewed. Using the Multimedia Center as a tool for research, learning critical evaluation and thinking, and gaining the benefits of beginning on the path of learning will be emphasized. This course is recommended to academically weak students and those on academic probation.
NOTE: SK099 and DS099 are Pass-Fail courses with no academic credits earned
