Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Twin Cities Campus
Mortuary Science B.S.Medical School - Adm
Medical School
The program of mortuary science at the University of Minnesota, established in 1908, was the first program of its kind to be organized at a state university.
For detailed information, please visit the program's website (www.mortuaryscience.umn.edu), or contact the program office 612-624-6464.
Accreditation:
The mortuary science program at the University of Minnesota 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.
National Board Examination pass rates, graduation rates, and employment rates for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at www.abfse.org. To request a printed copy of this program's rates, go to the Program of Mortuary Science office, A275-3 Mayo Memorial Building, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 or request by e-mail at mortsci@umn.edu, or by telephone (612) 624-6464.
Mission:
Funeral directors are health care professionals who serve others during a time of loss, pain, and grief. The mission of the program is to skillfully combine the study of behavioral, physical, and applied sciences for the goal of preparing graduates for careers as knowledgeable, skilled, and innovative funeral service professionals. Program graduates will be prepared to serve bereaved members of their communities in a manner that is proficient, dignified, and caring.
Aims:
The program of mortuary science states the importance of funeral service personnel as
1. Members of a human services profession;
2. Members of the community in which they serve;
3. Participants in the relationship between bereaved families and those engaged in the funeral service profession;
4. Professionals knowledgeable of and compliant with federal, state, provincial/territorial, and local regulatory guidelines in the geographic area where they practice;
5. Professionals sensitive to the responsibility for public health, safety, and welfare in caring for human remains.
Objectives:
The program recognizes an obligation to students, the profession, and the community. Its objectives have been adopted by the Program's Advisory Board and conform with the accreditation standards set forth by the American Board of Funeral Service Education.
The objectives of the program are:
1. To enlarge the background and knowledge of students about the funeral service profession;
2. To educate students in every phase of funeral service, and to help enable them to develop proficiency and skills necessary for the profession;
3. To educate students concerning the responsibilities of the funeral service profession to the community at large;
4. To emphasize high standards of ethical conduct;
5. To provide a curriculum at the post-secondary level of instruction;
6. To encourage student and faculty research in the field of funeral service;
7. To encourage faculty and students to be advocates for the profession of funeral service.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
Students must complete
30 credits
before admission to the program.
Freshman and transfer students are usually admitted to pre-major status
before admission to this major.
A GPA above 2.0 is preferred for the following:
Upon admission, students are required to submit proof of certain immunizations and vaccinations. Students must submit a professional statement and two letters of recommendation as part of the admission process. Criteria for the essay and letters of recommendation are available on the program's web site: www.mortuaryscience.umn.edu.
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
Required prerequisites
Pre-Mortuary Science Courses
Students usually enter the program at the beginning of their junior year. Freshmen and sophomores are urged to contact the program office for counsel in planning an appropriate preprofessional program. The following courses are required for admission to the BS program (except PUBH 3001 and PHAR 1002, which are not required but strongly recommended).
BIOL 1001 - Introductory Biology: Evolutionary and Ecological Perspectives
[BIOL]
(4.0 cr)
or
BIOL 1009 - General Biology
[BIOL]
(4.0 cr)
or
BIOL 1951 - Foundations of Biology Lecture I for Biological Sciences Majors
[BIOL]
(4.0 cr)
BIOL 1961 - Foundations of Biology Lab I for Biological Sciences Majors
[BIOL]
(2.0 cr)
BIOL 2003 - Foundations of Biology for Biological Sciences Majors, Part II
(3.0 cr)
ANAT 3001 - Human Anatomy
(3.0 cr)
or
ANAT 3601 - Principles of Human Anatomy
(3.0 cr)
or
ANAT 3611 - Principles of Human Anatomy
(3.0 cr)
ACCT 2051 - Introduction to Financial Reporting
(4.0 cr)
COMM 3402 - Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
(3.0 cr)
PSY 1001 - Introduction to Psychology
[SOCS]
(4.0 cr)
SOC 1001 - Introduction to Sociology
[SOCS, DSJ]
(4.0 cr)
WRIT 1301 - University Writing
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 1015 - Introductory Chemistry: Lecture
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1017 - Introductory Chemistry: Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
BIOL 3272 - Applied Biostatistics
(4.0 cr)
or
EPSY 3264 - Basic and Applied Statistics
[MATH]
(3.0 cr)
or
EPSY 5261 - Introductory Statistical Methods
(3.0 cr)
or
PSY 3801 - Introduction to Psychological Measurement and Data Analysis
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
or
SOC 3811 - Social Statistics
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
or
STAT 1001 - Introduction to the Ideas of Statistics
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
or
STAT 3011 - Introduction to Statistical Analysis
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
Required prerequisites
Letters of Recommendation, Professional Statement
Applicants must provide the program with two letters of recommendation and a professional statement as part of the application process. Criteria for the letters of recommendation and professional statement are found on the program's Web site: www.mortuaryscience.umn.edu.
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
60 credits of upper-division coursework, including required courses within the major, are required. Must attend a National Board Examination review session, take the practice National Board Examination and submit a reflection paper on the practice National Board Examination prior to being cleared for graduation and the National Board Examination.
Junior Year Courses
Junior Year Fall Semester
MORT 3014 - Funeral Service Rules and Regulations
(2.0 cr)
MORT 3018 - Funeral Service Practice I
(3.0 cr)
MORT 3021W - Funeral Service Psychology and Arrangements Theory
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
MORT 3171 - Human Anatomy Laboratory
(1.0 cr)
MORT 3371 - Funeral Service Rites, Customs, and Ceremonies
(3.0 cr)
PHAR 1002 - Medical Terminology
(2.0 cr)
Junior Year Spring Semester
MORT 3019 - Funeral Service Practice II
(3.0 cr)
MORT 3022W - Funeral Service Arrangements Laboratory
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
MORT 3048 - Microbiology and Pathology for Funeral Service
(4.0 cr)
MORT 3065 - Embalming Chemistry
(3.0 cr)
PUBH 3001 - Personal and Community Health
(2.0 cr)
Senior Year Courses
Senior Year Fall Semester
MORT 3016 - Funeral Service Marketing and Merchandising
(3.0 cr)
MORT 3025 - Business Law
(3.0 cr)
MORT 3051 - Restorative Art
(3.0 cr)
MORT 3061 - Embalming Theory
(3.0 cr)
MORT 3151 - Restorative Art Laboratory
(1.0 cr)
MORT 3161 - Embalming Laboratory
(1.0 cr)
Senior Year Spring Semester
MORT 3012W - Organization and Management of Funeral Business
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
MORT 3031 - Funeral Service Law
(2.0 cr)
Senior Year Summer Courses
Students are required to complete two clinical rotations totaling a minimum of 6 credits and no more than 14. One rotation must be completed during May session. The second may be completed in the fall, spring, or summer term.
MORT 3379 - Clinical Funeral Service Rotation
(1.0-6.0 cr)
Upper Division Writing Intensive within the Major
Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied with the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
·
MORT 3012W - Organization and Management of Funeral Business
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
MORT 3021W - Funeral Service Psychology and Arrangements Theory
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
MORT 3022W - Funeral Service Arrangements Laboratory
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
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Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 1001/Biol 1001H/Biol 1003 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 1009/Biol 1009H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 1951/H/Biol 2002/H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 2003/Biol 2003H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Anat 3001/Anat 3611/Anat 3601 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Anat 3001/Anat 3611/Anat 3601 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Anat 3001/Anat 3611/Anat 3601 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Acct 2050/ApEc 1251/Dbln 2051 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | PSTL 1281/Psy 1001/Psy 1001H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Soc 1001/Soc 1011V/Soc 1012W |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Writ 1301/H/Writ 1401 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1011/Chem 1015 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Prerequisites: | [1015 or &1015], %; credit will not be granted if credit received for: 1011; CHEM 1017 is a 1-credit lab-only course. This course is not intended for students who are planning to take CHEM 1061/1065. Intended only for students who need the course to fulfill the Physical Science/Lab requirement, and are taking CHEM 1015 either concurrently or consecutively. This course will NOT fulfill the Physical Science/Lab core requirement, unless CHEM 1015 is completed either concurrently or consecutively.; meets Lib Ed req of Physical Sciences) |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 3272Biol 3272H//Biol 5272 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EPsy 3264/EPsy 5261 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EPsy 3264/5231/5261/5263 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Psy 3801/Psy 3801H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AnSc 3011/ESPM 3012/Stat 3011/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phar 1002/Phar 5201 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | PubH 3001/PubH 3004/PubH 3005 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -6.0 [max 18.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |