Funeral Service Education - FAQ

The FSE program is limited entry with a limited number of students accepted each year. The selection process gives people who have worked at a funeral home the highest number of points as success in the program is best achieved by an individual who understands the unique environment of working at a funeral home. Fewer points are given for some related work experience and some points are given for general customer service experience. Applicants from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana have priority consideration over all other states.

We recommend you start by meeting funeral industry managers and applying for entry-level positions. You can seek part-time/as needed work through removal companies, crematories, cemeteries, and funeral homes. This experience will help you determine if this is the right profession for you. You may also do licensed apprenticeship work, but it is difficult to get in Oregon as you would be competing with our graduates. When you visit funeral homes, dress professionally and have a resume with you. Ask to speak to the funeral home director. Walk-ins are acceptable but making an appointment first is a good idea.

If you have already completed the majority of the 10 required general education classes in the first-year FSE curriculum (listed on the How to Get Started page), you should consider applying as a second-year student. If you have additional questions about whether to apply as a second-year student, please schedule an appointment with an academic advisor by emailing [email protected] or calling 503-491-7315. They will be able to help with an education plan.

FSE core classes are taught in-person, in a traditional classroom setting. The general education classes are offered both online and in-person.

This is a two-year (six-quarter) Associate of Applied Science degree if a person takes 15 or more credits per term. There are 96 total credits required, 56 are in funeral service. The remaining courses may be taken at another regionally accredited college/university and transferred to MHCC if grades are "C" or higher.

Representatives from each states' licensing bureau belong to the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards. They write and administer the National Board Exam which tests people in 13 subjects. The exam consists of 350 questions, half covering the sciences and half covering the arts. Sciences include Chemistry, Microbiology, Pathology, Anatomy, Restorative Art, and Embalming. The arts include Sociology, Psychology/Counseling, Funeral Directing, Merchandising, Accounting, Funeral Law, and Business Law. Most states require a passing grade on this exam for licensure.

Students must take the National Board Exam (NBE) as a condition of passing FSE245 (Funeral Issues). If the spring term finishes before the student takes both halves of the NBE, the student will receive an Incomplete grade and will not be able to graduate until taking both halves of the NBE. Most states require that licensure applicants pass both halves of the NBE as a condition to practice funeral directing and embalming.

The FSE program at MHCC has traditionally had higher pass rates on the NBE than the national pass rates.