Mortuary Science

• Mortuary Science, A.A.S.
• Funeral Director, Level II Certificate

The Mortuary Science Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program at San Antonio 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

The National Board Examination pass rates, graduation rates, and employment rates and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at www.abfse.org in the Directory of Accredited Programs. To request a printed copy of the program's rates, go to San Antonio College, Mortuary Science Program, 1819 N. Main Ave., Nail Technical Center, Room 238, San Antonio, TX  78212, or request by email to sac-mrts@alamo.edu or by telephone, (210) 486-1131.

Initial Accreditation 1963 / Last comprehensive review 2017 / Next comprehensive review 2024.

Re-accreditation: October 2017 for a period of 7 years.
Most recent Accreditation decision: October 2017 re-accreditation with no stipulations.
ABFSE Self-Study 2017 | pdf, 2017
ABFSE Self-Study Onsite Demonstration | pdf, 2017

San Antonio College Accreditation

San Antonio College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award Associates and Baccalaureate Degrees. Questions about the accreditation of San Antonio College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Normal inquiries about the institution, such as admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc., should be addressed directly to the college and not to the Commission's office; the Commission is to be contacted only if there is evidence that appears to support an institution's significant non-compliance with a requirement or standard.

The Funeral Director, Level II Certificate consists of 33 credit hours: 12 in liberal arts and up to 21 credit hours in the funeral directing curriculum. The certificate program is for those students who want to limit their practice only to funeral directing. This academic program is designed to meet specific state or professional needs. It is not accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Students graduating from this program will not have the academic credential for licensure in states where graduation from an ABFSE accredited program is required.

Program Information - San Antonio College

* Timely graduation = complete program in 1 1/2 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

The National Board Examination pass rates, graduation rates, and employment rates and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at www.abfse.org in the Directory of Accredited Programs. To request a printed copy of the program's rates, go to San Antonio College, Mortuary Science Program, 1819 N. Main Ave., Nail Technical Center, Room 238, San Antonio, TX 78212, or request by email to sac-mrts@alamo.edu or by telephone, (210) 486-1131.

National Board Statistics - San Antonio College

Arts

Sciences

The National Board Examination pass rates, graduation rates, and employment rates and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at www.abfse.org in the Directory of Accredited Programs. To request a printed copy of the program's rates, go to San Antonio College, Mortuary Science Program, 1819 N. Main Ave., Nail Technical Center, Room 238, San Antonio, TX  78212, or request by email to sac-mrts@alamo.edu or by telephone, (210) 486-1131.

Admission Criteria and Process

Please note the following requirements for applicants who wish to enroll in the Mortuary Science Program at San Antonio College:

• Applicants must first apply and be admitted to San Antonio College through applytexas.org.
• All admission requirements for the college must be fulfilled.
• Applicants must complete and submit all required documentation for the Mortuary Science Program, including the:
  • Program application,
  • Proof of complete Hepatitis B immunization record,
  • Write a 500-word essay using one of the following prompts.
    • What skills and qualities do you possess that will allow you to be successful in the field of Mortuary Science?
    • How do you plan to balance the emotional demands of a job as a funeral director and embalmer with the need to maintain professionalism?
  • Completion of all prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C” or better.
• Applicants must have completed at least 12 hours of college-level coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.50 or higher.
  • For reapplying students, a 2.50 cumulative GPA and a 2.50 Program GPA are required for eligibility.
• Students who have been away from the program for more than one semester must reapply as new applicants and have a 2.50 cumulative GPA and a 2.50 Program GPA.
  • If readmitted, applicants must meet the current admission and curriculum requirements for the Mortuary Science Program.
  • Readmission to the program is limited to one time only, subject to space availability.
• Applicants must complete and submit all admission packet items before the specified deadline. Please note that submitting the application packages does not guarantee acceptance into the Mortuary Science Program. Incomplete packets will not be considered.
  • Fall March 1 – July 1
  • Summer February 1 – May 1
  • Spring July 1 – October 1
• All students accepted into the program must attend the first-time in-program orientation.

After successfully completing the Mortuary Science Program, students are eligible to sit for the National Board Exam (NBE). It is highly recommended that students take the NBE within 30 days of finishing all the required courses for the Mortuary Science Program. Passing the NBE is a crucial step towards obtaining a license to practice as a funeral director and embalmer. Therefore, students are encouraged to prepare thoroughly for the NBE and take it seriously, as it can have a significant impact on their future career opportunities.

The National Board Examination pass rates, graduation rates, and employment rates and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at www.abfse.org in the Directory of Accredited Programs. To request a printed copy of the program's rates, go to San Antonio College, Mortuary Science Program, 1819 N. Main Ave., Nail Technical Center, Room 238, San Antonio, TX 78212, or request by email to sac-mrts@alamo.edu or by telephone, (210) 486-1131.

Program Learning Outcomes 

1. Explain the importance of funeral service professionals in developing relationships with the families and communities they serve.
2. Identify standards of ethical conduct in funeral service practice.
3. Interpret how federal, state, and local laws apply to funeral service in order to ensure compliance.
4. Apply principles of public health and safety in the handling and preparation of human remains.
5. Demonstrate technical skills in embalming and restorative art that are necessary for the preparation and handling of human remains.
6. Demonstrate skills required for conducting arrangement conferences, visitations, services, and ceremonies.
7. Describe the requirements and procedures for burial, cremation, and other accepted forms of final disposition of human remains.
8. Describe methods to address the grief-related needs of the bereaved.
9. Explain management skills associated with operating a funeral establishment.
10. Demonstrate verbal and written communication skills and research skills needed for funeral service practice.

Read more about Mortuary Science in our Course Catalog.

Tuition is based on the amount of credit hours a student is enrolled in per semester and if he/she is a in district/out of district or international student.

For information on tuition rates visit: Cost of Attendance

Tuition is paid by semester based on the amount of credit hours a student is enrolled in.  He/she may provide payment  either in full, by payment plan, VA benefits, financial or loans. It is recommended to speak to the specific department such as Veteran Affairs or Financial Aid for more details.

1. Visit the following link:  Click here
2. Once you arrive to the site, click on the term you are seeking to look up classes. (EX: Summer 2018, Fall 2019, etc.) Click submit.
3. Do not select those listed as CE. These are strictly for continuing education courses only.
4. Select MRTS for Mortuary Science courses. (Mortuary Science is only offered at San Antonio College)
5. Click Class Search
6. Students who are students of the Alamo Colleges District can see the schedule through their ACES account.

We do not offer a fully online curriculum.

Yes, evening courses are offered Monday through Thursday.

Courses are offered in the evening

MRTS 1330 Funeral Service Internship Orientation

MRTS 1301 Contemporary Funeral Service Practices

MRTS 1342 Mortuary Management I

MRTS 2342 Mortuary Management II

MRTS 2335 Mortuary Jurisprudence

MRTS 1225 Thanatochemistry

Our Department offers two career paths a student can choose in our department. Students seeking a career in funeral directing can complete this by choosing the Funeral Director's certificate. Alternatively, students can also seek an Associate of Applied Science in Mortuary Science. This career option will allow the student to complete curriculum both in funeral directing and embalming.  To see the degree plan for the Associate of Applied Science in Mortuary Science, click here. To see the Funeral Director's certificate plan, click here. 

We do not offer certificate or degree options solely for embalming. In order to complete the embalming part of the curriculum, a student will need to opt for the Mortuary Science Associate of Applied Science Degree. This degree covers both funeral directing and embalming.