What Is a Mortuary Science Degree? (License & Career Guide)
A mortuary science degree prepares you for work in funeral service, but the degree alone does not grant a license. Depending on your state and intended role, you may need an associate or bachelor’s degree, qualifying exams, and supervised practice. Check your state licensing board and the program’s accreditation before you enroll, transfer credits, or commit to tuition.
If you are comparing colleges, the terms can blur together: degree, accreditation, exam eligibility, apprenticeship, and license. They are separate steps, and missing one can delay your plans or add costs. I have seen students focus on a program’s name before checking whether it meets the rules where they hope to work. Start with the state and role you want, then work backward to the education that qualifies.
Mortuary Science Programs: Admissions, Accreditation & State Requirements
A mortuary science or funeral service program teaches skills used in funeral directing and, in some roles, embalming. Requirements differ by state. Before applying, identify your intended role and the state where you plan to practice, then check that state’s licensing board rules and the school’s current accreditation.
What does a mortuary science degree qualify you to do?
A mortuary science degree is college education in funeral service. It may prepare you for funeral-home work and help meet education rules for licensure, but it is not a license. A state board decides who can practice in licensed roles and what exams or supervised experience are required.
Programs may be called funeral service or funeral service education as well as mortuary science. The title alone does not show whether a program will meet your state’s requirements. Check the program’s curriculum, accreditation, and outcomes, and ask the board whether graduates can meet the education requirement for your intended license.
Many state pathways require at least an associate degree in funeral service or mortuary science. Some states or employers may require or prefer a bachelor’s degree. These are not nationwide rules, so do not rely on a college’s general statement that its degree “leads to licensure.” Ask the state board about your exact situation.
How to check accreditation and admissions
Institutional accreditation applies to the college. Programmatic accreditation reviews a specific program. The American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) accredits funeral service education programs. These are different checks: a college’s institutional accreditation does not, by itself, confirm that its mortuary science program meets ABFSE standards.
Use the U.S. Department of Education’s accreditation database or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to check the institution’s recognized accreditor. Then check ABFSE’s current program information. Accreditation can affect National Board Examination eligibility, but your state board determines the rules for state licensure.
Admissions rules are school-specific. A program may set prerequisites, minimum grades, application dates, or other conditions. There is no single nationwide GPA or prerequisite standard for entering a mortuary science program. Confirm requirements with the program before applying, and check financial aid eligibility and total cost with the college.
Next step: Ask the program and state board, in writing, whether its current status and curriculum meet the requirements for your target license.
Degree Curriculum, Credit Requirements & Practical Training
A degree plan combines general education with funeral-service courses and may include practical training. There is no single national credit total or course sequence. Read the program catalog to see what you must complete, how long it may take, and whether hands-on or supervised experience is part of the degree.
What will you study?
Courses vary by school, but funeral-service programs commonly cover subjects such as funeral-service law, business, ethics, embalming, restorative art, and grief or counseling topics. General education may include writing, communication, or science. Check the catalog for the actual course list, prerequisites, and order.
Practical components can involve work in a laboratory, clinical setting, or supervised placement, depending on the program. Ask what training is required, where it takes place, and whether students must arrange an internship themselves. Do not assume that completing a school’s practical component also satisfies a separate state apprenticeship requirement.
How many credits and how long does it take?
Credit requirements and completion time depend on the institution and degree. An associate degree and a bachelor’s degree have different course loads, and a student’s prior credits may affect the timeline. Use the published degree plan rather than assuming a fixed number of credits or years.
Before transferring, ask both schools to review your transcript. A receiving college decides which credits it accepts toward its degree, and a state board decides whether your education meets licensure rules. Get both decisions in writing before you withdraw, transfer, or pay for additional coursework.
| What to check | Why it matters | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Total credits and course sequence | Shows the full academic workload and prerequisites | “Can I see the current degree plan and catalog?” |
| ABFSE program status | May affect exam eligibility | “Is this program currently ABFSE-accredited?” |
| Transfer-credit review | Credits may not apply to the new degree or license | “Which credits will count, and can I get that in writing?” |
| Practical training | School training may differ from state-required supervised practice | “Does this satisfy any state requirement, or is more needed?” |
Next step: Compare the catalog with the licensing board’s education rules, not just with another college’s course list.
Academic Success, Student Experience & Program Costs
Program cost includes more than tuition. Fees, books, supplies, transportation, and time away from work can affect your total. Compare each school’s net price and aid options, then check the course schedule and practical-training demands to see whether the program fits your budget and responsibilities.
How to compare programs and costs
Ask each school for its current tuition and fee schedule, estimated total cost, and financial aid information. Net price is the estimated amount you pay after grants and scholarships are applied; loans still need to be repaid. Confirm whether any required supplies, exam fees, or placement-related expenses are included in the school’s estimate.
Also ask how often required courses are offered. If a course is available only at certain times, missing it could affect your completion date. Review the academic progress rules for financial aid, too, and ask how withdrawing or repeating a course may affect your aid and timeline.
| Cost or planning item | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Tuition and mandatory fees | Whether the quoted amount applies to your program and enrollment status |
| Grants, scholarships, and loans | Which aid is available, and which aid must be repaid |
| Supplies and other expenses | Whether the estimate includes required program materials and exam costs |
| Course availability | Whether a missed or failed course could delay the next required course |
| Student outcomes | How the school defines completion, exam, and employment results |
Ask how the school reports outcomes and what years the figures cover. A school’s reported result may not predict your own outcome, and definitions can differ. Compare like with like, and ask for the underlying explanation if a number is unclear.
Next step: Build a term-by-term budget and completion plan using the program’s published information.
Licensure, Career Pathways & Employment Outcomes
A license is permission from a state to perform regulated work. A degree may meet one part of the requirement, while exams, supervised practice, age rules, or an application may meet others. State rules vary by role, so verify each step with the licensing board where you intend to work.
What steps may be required for a license?
A common planning sequence is:
- Choose the state and role you are targeting.
- Ask the state licensing board which degree and program credentials it accepts.
- Complete the required education and any practical training.
- Confirm eligibility for any required National Board Examination (NBE) or state law exam.
- Complete any state-required apprenticeship or internship.
- Apply for the license and check renewal and continuing-education rules.
The NBE is administered by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards. Whether it is required, and when you may take it, depends on the state’s rules and exam eligibility conditions. Confirm details with both the board and your program. Do not assume that passing one exam completes every state requirement.
What careers can the degree support?
Graduates may pursue funeral-service work, such as funeral directing or embalming, when they meet the applicable licensing rules. Some people work in funeral homes in roles that do not require the same license. Job duties and legal limits vary, so ask employers and the state board what credentials apply to a specific role.
| Pathway | Education and credential check | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral director | Degree and state requirements may apply | Whether a license is required for the duties you expect to perform |
| Embalmer | Education, exams, or supervised practice may be required | Whether your state issues a separate license or sets separate conditions |
| Funeral-home support role | Requirements depend on the position | Which duties are restricted to licensed staff |
Employment prospects and pay depend on location, employer, experience, and role. For current information, consult the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and local job postings. Check the date and job title used in any data, since a broad occupation category may not match every funeral-service position.
Next step: Before enrolling, ask the state board to confirm the full education, exam, and supervised-practice path for your intended role.
Illustrative Student Pathways
These examples show how to apply the checks; they are not state-specific licensing advice. Two students can choose similar degrees and still face different steps because they plan to work in different states or pursue different roles. Use your own state board’s rules to confirm what applies.
A student planning to work as a funeral director in their home state first checks that state’s education requirements. They compare programs, verify institutional and ABFSE status, and ask which exams or supervised practice may be required. Before accepting an offer, they get confirmation that the program can meet the board’s education rule.
A student transferring after starting college asks the new school to assess each course and requests a written transfer-credit decision. They separately ask the licensing board whether the resulting degree plan will satisfy state education requirements. This avoids assuming that credits accepted toward graduation automatically count toward licensure.
A student who may move after graduation checks the rules in the likely destination state before choosing a program. They ask whether that state accepts the planned education and what additional exams, experience, or application steps may apply. A license in one state should not be assumed to transfer automatically to another.
Key takeaway: Treat school transfer, exam eligibility, and state licensure as separate decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
These brief answers clarify common terms, but they cannot replace a state board’s current rules. Use them to plan your questions, then confirm requirements for your school, degree, and intended license directly with the responsible program and licensing board.
Is a mortuary science degree the same as a license?
No. A degree is education. A state license may also require exams, supervised practice, and an application.
Do I need an associate or bachelor’s degree?
It depends on the state and role. Many pathways require at least an associate degree, while some states or employers may require or prefer a bachelor’s degree.
Does every mortuary science program qualify graduates for licensure?
No. Check the program’s accreditation and confirm its education meets the rules of your intended state.
What is ABFSE accreditation?
It is programmatic accreditation for funeral service education programs. It is separate from the college’s institutional accreditation and may affect exam eligibility.
Is the National Board Examination required everywhere?
Requirements vary by state. Ask the licensing board whether the NBE is required for your intended license.
Does the degree include an apprenticeship?
Some programs include practical training, but that may not meet a separate state apprenticeship or internship rule. Confirm with the board.
Will my credits transfer to another mortuary science program?
Not necessarily. The receiving school decides which credits apply. Get a written evaluation before transferring.
Can I work in a funeral home without a license?
Some support roles may not require the same license, but rules depend on the duties and state. Ask the employer and state board.
How do I check a school’s institutional accreditation?
Search the U.S. Department of Education’s accreditation database or CHEA, then separately verify the program’s ABFSE status.
What should I do before paying a deposit?
Confirm program accreditation, state-board eligibility, total cost, transfer rules, and practical-training requirements in writing.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Nathan Sterling. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
