Mortuary Science Program (MSP)
Designed to orient prospective students to mortuary science and its history, educational requirements, internships, licensure examination, job descriptions for funeral directors, embalmers and cremationists, and employment outlook. Prerequisites: None.
Overview of cremation equipment, processes, laws, and safety. Prepares students to apply for licensure as a cremationist. Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor. Course Notes: Students must meet all applicable state license requirements to practice as a cremationist. Reference the Arizona State Funeral Board for specific licensing requirements.
Survey of history of funeral service from ancient to modern times. Sociological aspects of how various cultures deal with death. Prerequisites: Admission to the Mortuary Science program.
Laboratory experience in support of MSP202 lecture course. Prerequisites: Admission to the Mortuary Science program. Corequisites: MSP202 lecture course.
Field experience involving observation and practice of embalming processes in a laboratory setting. Includes writing case study reports. A grade of C or better required in all Prerequisites. Prerequisites or Corequisites: MSP202 and admission to the Mortuary Science program.
Survey of microbiology as it pertains to mortuary science and the funeral service profession. Review of safety precautions, sanitation practices, and pathogens that can lead to illness or death. Prerequisites: Admission to the Mortuary Science program.
Basic principles of general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, embalming chemistry, and toxicology as it relates to mortuary science. Safety practices regarding potentially harmful chemicals. Prerequisites: Admission to the Mortuary Science program.
Funeral directing and establishing professional relationships with religious leaders and family members. Includes documentation procedures from time of death to funeral. Prerequisites: Admission to the Mortuary Science program.
Operation of the established funeral home, including principles and product knowledge in the area of funeral service management and merchandising. Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MSP205.
Laboratory experience in support of MSP207 lecture course. Prerequisites: Admission to the Mortuary Science program. Corequisites: MSP207 lecture course.
Practice care and restoration of the deceased human body to create natural form and appearance in a laboratory setting. Includes anatomical aspects and color theory. A grade of C or better required in all Prerequisites. Prerequisites or Corequisites: MSP207 and admission to the Mortuary Science program.
Mortuary law, regulation by the Federal Trade Commission, and ethical issues in mortuary science. Individual state laws as they pertain to the regulation of funeral establishments and funeral service personnel. Prerequisites: Admission to the Mortuary Science program.
Pathologic conditions which require special treatment and terminology associated with the causes of death. Prerequisites: Admission to the Mortuary Science program.
Psychology and grief counseling principles in mortuary science. Prerequisites: Admission to the Mortuary Science program.
Analysis of daily tasks performed by funeral service personnel. Capstone experience based on all previous course work. Prerequisites: Admission to the Mortuary Science program.