Are you interested in a career in mortuary science? Sandburg's two-year or accelerated associate degree program may be perfect for you. You'll receive instruction in all phases of funeral service, with special attention being given to the high ethical standards within the funeral service profession. These goals are accomplished through a wide variety of educational experiences to develop the essential skills needed to successfully serve within the funeral service profession.
This curriculum is based upon the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) curriculum outlines. Several of the mortuary science classes require some outside work as well as research about various aspects of the funeral service profession. Upon completion of the mortuary science program, each graduate will have attained those skills necessary to uphold and foster the dignity of the funeral service profession.
Sigma Phi Sigma student organization
The purpose and mission of Sigma Phi Sigma are to promote professionalism, knowledge and fellowship within the mortuary science profession.
Advisor: Tim Krause / 309.345.8501
Admission requirements mortuary science
The mortuary science program has specific admission requirements and a separate application process. You must apply and be accepted into the program to enroll. Admission into the program is on a rolling basis, but new students are admitted only for the fall semester each year.
Mortuary science admission requirements
- Meet all Sandburg admission requirements.
- Complete the general application to the college. Learn more on our how to apply page.
- Complete the online mortuary science application found in mySandburg.
- Submit your official high school/GED and college transcripts to the registrar, Galesburg campus, E100 / 309.341.5260.
- Submit proof of an interview with a licensed funeral director.
- Submit official documentation showing you've received the Hepatitis B vaccination three-shot series.
- Submit an official transcript if a course is taken at a college other than Sandburg.
View the admissions checklist.
Highly recommended steps
- Complete ENG 101 Freshman Composition 1 prior to enrollment in the program.
- Set up an appointment to meet with the mortuary science program advisor to sign the admissions checklist.
Although the COVID-19 vaccination is not an admission requirement, most clinical sites require vaccination against COVID-19. Check with your program coordinator for more details.
Additional preparation considerations
Students who complete some or all of the general education courses prior to enrolling in the mortuary science program are more successful in the program. Consider completing these six required general education courses (with a grade of C or higher) at your local community college ahead of time:
- ENG 101 Freshmen Composition 1 (Must be completed prior to starting the program.)
- CHM 100 Concepts of Chemistry
- BIO 111 Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals
- BLA 202 Business Law
- BUS 205 Management Fundamentals
- ACC 100 Procedural Accounting
Enrollment in the program is limited to a specific number of students due to accreditation requirements. Students who enroll in the program must earn a minimum grade of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) in all courses required in the mortuary science program. Failure to attain these grade requirements will result in dismissal from the program with an option to reapply. (Only available on a one-time basis.)
Career and technical programs/courses are offered adhering to Sandburg's equal opportunity and non-decimation statement.
Mortuary science careers
Opportunities are excellent with many openings in the funeral service profession. These include, but are not limited to:
Working conditions
Funeral directors arrange the details and handle the logistics of funerals. They interview the family to understand their preferences regarding the nature of the funeral, the clergy members or other persons who will officiate and the final disposition of the remains.
Most funeral directors are also trained as licensed embalmers. Embalming is the cosmetic and preservative process through which the body is prepared for interment. Most funeral homes are family run businesses, and the funeral directors either are owner operators or employees of the operation.
Accreditation & licensure
Accreditation
Once you graduate from the mortuary science program, you're eligible to take the National Board Examination as administered by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, Inc. This exam allows you to apply for the Illinois Funeral Directors and Embalmers license. For other state licensure requirements, contact the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, Inc. or the state in which licensure is sought.
Sandburg's mortuary science associate degree program is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE). National board examination rates, graduation rates and employment rates for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available on the ABFSE website. To request a printed copy of this program’s pass rates and employment rates, contact:
Tim Krause
Coordinator, mortuary science program
2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd.
Galesburg, IL 61401
tkrause@sandburg.edu / 309.345.8501
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Initial accreditation: |
1997 |
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Last comprehensive review: |
2017 |
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Next comprehensive review: |
2024 |
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Re-accreditation: |
April 2018, for a period of seven years with stipulation to demonstrate evidence of faculty evaluation. |
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Most recent accreditation decision: |
April 2019 – accepted report demonstrating evidence of faculty evaluation. |
Professional licensure disclosures
Postsecondary institutions participating in federal student aid programs are required to make certain disclosures to enrolled and prospective students, parents, employees and the public. The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (34 §C.F.R. 668.43) requires disclosures by institutions regarding educational requirements for programs leading to professional licensure or certification regardless of modality. The institution must make readily available to enrolled and prospective students information about whether programs leading to professional licensure or certification meet educational requirements.
View licensure information by state.
If Sandburg hasn't determined whether a program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification outside the state of Illinois, contact the licensing entity to determine whether it meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the state you live or work.
Contact the dean of health professions with questions.
Sample course schedules
Mortuary science AAS degree
This is a sample class schedule for the mortuary science AAS degree. This sample class schedule is subject to change.
First year
Fall semester — 16 weeks
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8-9:15 a.m. |
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9:30-10:45 a.m. |
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11-12:15 p.m. |
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Spring semester — First eight weeks
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8-9:50 a.m. |
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10-11:50 a.m. |
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Done with MTS courses at spring break. If taking general education courses, those will continue for 16 weeks.
Second year
Fall semester — 16 weeks
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8-9:15 a.m. |
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8 a.m.-noon |
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9:30-10:45 a.m. |
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11 a.m.-noon |
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12:30 p.m. |
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1-3:30 p.m. |
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3-5 p.m. |
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4-8 p.m. |
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* Students choose one embalming lab time.
Spring semester — First eight weeks
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1-4:20 p.m. |
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5:30-9:30 p.m. |
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Online course |
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Spring semester — Second eight weeks
- MTS 250 Funeral Service Practicum and MTS 260 Embalming Lab practicum at approved off-campus
- MTS 270 Exam Review Seminar — finals week Monday 8 m.-7 p.m. and Tuesday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Program Total: 70 credit hours
Accelerated mortuary science AAS
This is a sample class schedule for the accelerated mortuary science AAS degree. This sample class schedule is subject to change.
First year
Fall semester — 16 weeks
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8-9:15 a.m. |
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8 a.m.-noon |
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9:30-10:45 a.m. |
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11 a.m.-noon |
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11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. |
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1-2:30 p.m. |
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1-3:30 p.m. |
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3-5 p.m. |
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4-8 p.m. |
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*Students choose one embalming lab time.
Spring semester — First eight weeks
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8-9:50 a.m. |
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10-11:50 a.m. |
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1-4:20 p.m. |
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5:30-9:30 p.m. |
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MTS 240 — online course
Spring semester — Second eight weeks
- MTS 250 Funeral Service Practicum and MTS 260 Embalming Lab practicum at approved off-campus
- MTS 270 Exam Review Seminar — finals week Monday 8 m.-7 p.m. and Tuesday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Course info
Class formats
Courses in this program are offered face-to-face in the classroom and through practicum experiences in funeral homes.
Sandburg offers courses in a variety of formats to best fit your needs. Regardless of the format, make sure you have access to a reliable computer with high-speed internet. All courses use online resources and require you to access course information through mySandburg. The Galesburg and Carthage campuses have open computer labs for your use as a student.
Estimated costs
The cost for the mortuary science AAS 70 credit-hour program is approximately $16,446.
The cost for the mortuary science accelerated AAS 51 credit-hour program is approximately $12,336.
Financial aid, grants & scholarships
Learn how you can take advantage of financial aid, grants and scholarships available to Sandburg students.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) helps job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Learn more, and complete this formto determine your eligibility.
Career and technical programs/courses follow our equal opportunity & non-discrimination statement. For more information, email the Title IX coordinator, or call 309.341.5258 or the ADA/504 coordinator at 309.341.5262.
Mortuary science program learning outcomes
Our curriculum is based upon the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) curriculum outlines. As such, the following are program 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 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 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.
Sandburg graduation rates
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2023 |
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2022 |
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2021 |
*Timely graduation = Complete program in 1.5 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.
Board scores
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2023 arts |
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2022 arts |
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2021 arts |
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2023 sciences |
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2022 sciences |
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2021 sciences |
Frequently asked questions
General FAQs
Can this program be completed part-time?No. You choose either the two-year program or the accelerated program.
Is this an online program?
There are online sections available for some of the general education courses, but the courses are available only at the main campus in Galesburg, IL.
Are there certain grade requirements?
Yes. All courses in the program, as well as the six general education courses, must be completed with a grade of C or better (2.0 on a 4.0 scale). Failure to attain these grade requirements results in dismissal from the program with an option to reapply. (Only available on a one-time basis.)
Two-year program FAQs
What are the prerequisite courses required for the accelerated program?
There are no prerequisites required for the two-year program, but we recommend you complete ENG 101 prior to enrollment in the program; otherwise, you'll have to take it during a summer session.
Accelerated program FAQs
What is the accelerated program?
The accelerated program is available to anyone who's successfully completed all prerequisite courses in the mortuary science program. These courses must be completed prior to being admitted to the program. All 51 credit hours of the program are then completed in two semesters: 27 credit hours in the fall semester and 17 credit hours and the eight-week practicum during the spring semester.
What general education prerequisite courses must be completed prior to entry into the accelerated program?
- ENG 101 Freshman Composition 1
- BIO 111 Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals
- CHM 100 Concepts of Chemistry
- BUS 205 Management Fundamentals
- ACC 100 Procedural Accounting
- BLA 202 Business Law
All of these courses must be completed with a grade of C or above.