Academic Catalog

Mortuary Science Program (MSP)

MSP101 / Introduction to Mortuary Science
1 Credit / 1.0 Periods for Lecture

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.

Division: Health Science and Public Service
MSP105 / Cremation for Mortuary Science
1 Credit / 1.0 Periods for Lecture

Overview of cremation topics, including proper procedures, legal considerations, services, merchandise, trends, and the history of cremation. 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.

Division: Health Science and Public Service
MSP201 / History and Sociology of Funeral Service
3 Credits / 3.0 Periods for Lecture

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.

Division: Health Science and Public Service
MSP202 / Embalming Laboratory
1 Credit / 2.0 Periods for Laboratory

Laboratory experience in support of MSP202 lecture course. Prerequisites: Admission to the Mortuary Science program. Corequisites: MSP202 lecture course.

Division: Health Sciences
MSP202LL / Embalming Lab
1 Credit / 2.0 Periods for Laboratory

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.

Division: Health Science and Public Service
MSP203 / Microbiology for Mortuary Science
3 Credits / 3.0 Periods for Lecture

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.

Division: Health Science and Public Service
MSP204 / Chemistry for Mortuary Science
3 Credits / 3.0 Periods for Lecture

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.

Division: Health Science and Public Service
MSP205 / Mortuary Administration I
3 Credits / 3.0 Periods for Lecture

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.

Division: Health Science and Public Service
MSP206 / Mortuary Administration II
3 Credits / 3.0 Periods for Lecture

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.

Division: Health Science and Public Service
MSP207 / Restorative Art Laboratory
1 Credit / 2.0 Periods for Laboratory

Laboratory experience in support of MSP207 lecture course. Prerequisites: Admission to the Mortuary Science program. Corequisites: MSP207 lecture course.

Division: Health Sciences
MSP207LL / Mortuary Science Restorative Art Lab
1 Credit / 2.0 Periods for Laboratory

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.

Division: Health Science and Public Service
MSP208 / Legal, Regulatory, and Ethical Issues in Mortuary Science
3 Credits / 3.0 Periods for Lecture

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.

Division: Health Science and Public Service
MSP209 / Pathology for Mortuary Science
3 Credits / 3.0 Periods for Lecture

Pathologic conditions which require special treatment and terminology associated with the causes of death. Prerequisites: Admission to the Mortuary Science program.

Division: Health Science and Public Service
MSP210 / Psychology, Counseling, and Mortuary Science
2 Credits / 2.0 Periods for Lecture

Psychology and grief counseling principles in mortuary science. Prerequisites: Admission to the Mortuary Science program.

Division: Health Science and Public Service
MSP211 / Compendium for Mortuary Science
2 Credits / 2.0 Periods for Lecture

Analysis of daily tasks performed by funeral service personnel. Capstone experience based on all previous course work. Prerequisites: Admission to the Mortuary Science program.

Division: Health Science and Public Service