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.med.umn.edu/mortuaryscience), or contact the program office via email mortsci@umn.edu or phone 612-624-6464. ACCREDITATION: The Mortuary Science degree program at the University of Minnesota is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, New Jersey 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 in the Directory of Accredited Programs. OUR MISSION: Funeral directors are health care professionals who serve others during a time of loss, pain, and grief. The Program of Mortuary Science's mission 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. PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: The central objective of an ABFSE-accredited program must be to educate students in every phase of funeral service so that program graduates are prepared for entry-level employment in funeral service. Upon completion of an accredited program, students will be able to: -Explain the importance of funeral service professionals in developing relationships with the families and communities they serve. -Identify standards of ethical conduct in funeral service practice. -Interpret how federal, state, and local laws apply to funeral service in order to ensure compliance. -Apply principles of public health and safety in the handling and preparation of human remains. -Demonstrate technical skills in embalming and restorative art that are necessary for the preparation and handling of human remains. -Demonstrate skills required for conducting arrangement conferences, visitations, services, and ceremonies. -Describe the requirements and procedures for burial, cremation, and other accepted forms of final disposition of human remains. -Describe methods to address the grief-related needs of the bereaved. -Explain management skills associated with operating a funeral establishment. -Demonstrate verbal and written communication skills and research skills needed for funeral service practice.

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.med.umn.edu/mortuaryscience. Upon admission, students are required to submit proof of certain immunizations, vaccinations, and health insurance per Academic Health Sciences policy, https://healthsciedu.umn.edu/policies.

Prior to being cleared for graduation, all students are required to: 1) attend a National Board Examination information review session, 2) take the practice National Board Examination (PNBE), and 3) write an analysis paper on their PNBE results. Students’ PNBE scores and paper must be submitted by the last day of the academic term in which they plan to graduate.