Mortuary Science (A.A.S.)

Program Advisor: Scott Rankin, 356-3631 (jsrankin@actx.edu) or contact Cherie Clifton, 354-6007 (caclifton@actx.edu)

Associate in Applied Science
Major Code - MRTS.AAS
actx.edu/mortuary

The Mortuary Science department at Amarillo College has as its central aim recognition of 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 and local regulatory guidelines, as well as (5) professionals sensitive to the responsibility for public health, safety and welfare in caring for human remains.

The Amarillo College Mortuary Science Program has the following objectives: 

1. Enlarge the background and knowledge of students about the funeral service profession;
2. Educate students in every phase of funeral service and help enable them to develop the proficiency and skills necessary of the profession;
3. Educate students concerning the responsibilities of the funeral service profession to the community at large;
4. Emphasize high standards of ethical conduct;
5. Provide a curriculum at the post-secondary level of instruction; and
6. Encourage student and faculty research in the field of funeral service.

A student seeking entry into the Mortuary Science program must file a specific program application form and complete additional admission procedures as required. Information is available on the Mortuary Science website.

To continue in the program, a student may repeat a MRTS course only one time and may repeat no more than two MRTS courses while enrolled in the program. The term “repeat” shall be interpreted to mean re-enrollment following withdrawal, drop or unsatisfactory grade. A grade of C or higher is required for satisfactory completion of all major course requirements, SOCI 1371 or HPRS 2301. Students who receive an F in two or more major course requirements, SOCI 1371 or HPRS 2301 will be removed from the program. A student will have 36 months to complete all major requirements.

Each student is required to take the National Board Exam as a requirement of graduation from the Mortuary Science AAS program. The annual passage rate of first-time takers on the National Board Examination (NBE) for the most recent three-year period for this institution and all ABFSE accredited funeral service education programs is posted on the ABFSE web site at www.abfse.org.

The Mortuary Science Program at Amarillo College is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) 3414 Ashland Avenue, Suite G, St. Joseph, Missouri 64506 (816) 233-3747. Web: www.abfse.org.

Program Requirements