Associate in Business
Major in Funeral Service

Candidates for the associate’s degree or the certificate in Funeral Service Education must meet the requirements for graduation of the college. In addition, students enrolled in the Funeral Service Education program leading to the associate’s degree or the certificate must progress in meeting the requirements of their program according to the following policy:  

1. Students must complete all Funeral Service Education classes and  BIO 230, with grades of “C” or better.

2. Students may repeat a specific Funeral Service Education Course or BIO 230 one time to achieve a grade of "C" or better. Students who need to repeat a Funeral Service Education course or BIO 230 are required to submit an appeal to the Funeral Service Education Department.

3. Students must have acceptable health status that allows required performance within the practicum or clinical environment. Students must inform the Funeral Service Education program of any pre-existing conditions that could interfere with completion of the embalming practicum class.

4. All students must take the National Board Exam before graduating.

5. All potential students will have to meet with a Funeral Service Education faculty member prior to entering into the Funeral Service Education program.

6. All potential students must submit a “Statement of Intent” before enrolling in their first Funeral Service Education course.  A statement of intent is a written report describing why the student wants to be a funeral service professional.

7. Students are expected to dress business casual for class and business attire for guest speakers and field trips. The Funeral Service Education department recommends for students to wear shirts that can be purchased through this department, along with khaki pants.

8. Understanding all students cannot attend full-time and graduate in two years, the Funeral Service Education department will allow students up to three years to complete the program before they have to start repeating classes.

9. Student must complete their general education requirements before consideration into the Funeral Service Education program.

10. If the student plans on working in South Carolina , they are allowed to complete their two year apprenticeship concurrently while attending Piedmont Technical College.

11. Students must obtain a Student Permit from the South Carolina State Board of Funeral Service prior to enrolling into the Funeral Service Education program. Failure to obtain the Student Permit will limit your ability to complete certain classes within the program.

Associates in Business - Major in Funeral Service

     The Funeral Service Education program provides the educational foundation needed to seek a South Carolina , or other state licensure, both as a funeral director and an embalmer.

The Funeral Service Education program at Piedmont Technical College is accredited by the:

American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE)
3432 Ashland Avenue, Suite U
St. Joseph, MO 64506
(816) 223-3747
Web: www.abfse.org

The annual passage rate for first-time takers on the National Board Examination (NBE) for the most recent three-year period for this institution and all ABFSE accredited funeral service education programs is posted on the ABFSE website (http://www.abfse.org)

In accordance with the South Carolina State Board of Funeral Service, an individual must be at least 18 years old; have a high school diploma or the equivalent; have completed at least a 60-credit program of study with an accredited school and approved by the board (with a full associate's degree required for an embalmer); have completed two years of approved apprenticeship; not have been convicted of a violent crime, felony or crime of moral turpitude; and have successfully passed the South Carolina and National Examining Board licensing examinations for embalming and/or funeral directing.

General Aims and Objectives of Funeral Service

Piedmont Technical College and the Funeral Service Education program have as its central aim, recognition of the importance of funeral service education personnel as:

• members of a human services profession;

• members of the community in which they serve;

• participants in the relationship between bereaved families and those engaged in the funeral service profession;

• professionals knowledgeable of and compliant with federal, state and local regulatory guidelines (in the geographic area where they practice) as well as 

• professionals sensitive to the responsibility for public health, safety and welfare in caring for human remains.  

Objectives:

• To enlarge the background and knowledge of students about the funeral service profession.

• To educate students in every phase of funeral service, and to help enable them to develop the proficiency and skills necessary for the profession, as defined in the Preamble above.

• To educate students concerning the responsibilities of the funeral service profession to the community at large.

• To emphasize high standards of ethical conduct.

• To provide a curriculum at the post secondary level of instruction.

• To encourage student and faculty research in the field of funeral service.

      Health Requirements.  Students enrolled in Funeral Service Education courses are required to provide evidence of annual tuberculosis screenings and evidence of vaccination against tetanus within the last 10 years. Students shall have on file prior to entry into the practicum courses or clinical work, one or more of the following: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) immunization record or antibody titer showing a positive antigen response to HBV. Students are not eligible to participate in the practicum or clinical works until this information is completed and on file.

Transportation to practicum sites. Each student is responsible for transportation to and from any practicum or clinical sites.

Attendance requirements. The Funeral Service Education program adheres to the college’s attendance policy. In addition, students are expected to attend all practicum activities. Make-up time for missed practicum experiences will be determined at the discretion of the faculty and availability of practicum facilities. Faculty may require withdrawal of any student who has missed sufficient practice to prevent completion of the practicum objectives.