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Funeral Services Administration - Program Description

The Bachelor of Technology degree in Funeral Services Administration is open to new students, transfer students and Funeral Directors who have passed the National Board Examination and are licensed. This is the only inclusive Bachelor's degree in Funeral Services Administration in New York State and one of only a few in the country.

Accreditation:

The Funeral Services Administration Bachelor's Degree program at State University of New York - Canton 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 pass rates, go to the office of the FSAD Program Director, Cook 109 or by email at penepentd@canton.edu, or by telephone 315-386-7170.

Blue Card Application

All students, upon admission to the FSAD program, must complete a Blue Card application for the NYS Dept. of Health, Bureau of Funeral Directing. An application fee of $50 and birth certificate or proof of citizenship is also required. Any student who have criminal convictions will need prior approval from the Bureau before being accepted into the FSAD program.

Students in this Major:

• Participate in classes, practicums, and internships that provide theoretical education as well as practical training and experience in all phases of the funeral service profession including embalming, restorative art, and funeral directing.
• Are eligible to take the National Board Examination required for licensure in most states.
• Experience a learning environment that is rigorous yet supportive and flexible.
• Can concentrate elective courses in their field of interest such as business, coroner preparation, or Human Services.
• Will be involved in online and campus courses.

Career Opportunities:

• Funeral Director
• Embalmer
• Pre-need Funeral Counselor in a funeral home or with specialized funeral pre-med companies.
• Funeral Service After Care Specialist
• Cemetery and Crematory Administration
• Allied Professions such as cemeteries, crematories, morgues, and medical examiners offices, forensic pathology, organ and tissue banks, coroners, funeral supply sales such as caskets, vaults, embalming fluids, and computer software companies.

Licensed Funeral Director Program:

Licensed funeral directors who have already graduated and passed the National Board Examination are eligible to obtain life experience credits for some Funeral Services Administration courses through challenge exams or portfolio development. The State University of New York allows up to 30 credits in these types of experiential learning.

Admission Requirements:

• Refer to the table of high school course prerequisites for admission.
• Students must be eligible for enrollment in Composition and the Spoken Word (ENGL 101)
• Students must be eligible for enrollment in Survey of Mathematics (MATH 111) or any MATH course that fulfills the GER requirement.
• Transfer students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA for admittance into the FSAD curriculum.

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U/L=Upper Level Courses (300/400)
GER=General Education Requirement

* A final course grade of C or better is needed to meet FSAD graduation requirements

** A final course grade of 85% or better is required in order to pass this course.