If you’re considering funeral service as a career, the question of which mortuary science program (opens in a new window) to follow is probably top of mind. Geography used to be the deciding factor, and many students enrolled at the program closest to them to avoid relocating.
Many accredited programs now offer coursework in online and hybrid formats, and students can arrange clinical placements closer to home. If you’re interested in a mortuary science degree, distance no longer has to limit your options.
Accreditation Should Be Your First Filter
When you first compare mortuary science programs, start with accreditation. The American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) (opens in a new window) is the only recognized accrediting body for funeral service programs in the United States. A degree from an ABFSE-accredited program is required for licensure in nearly every state, and it qualifies you to sit for the National Board Examination.
Not all programs advertise their accreditation status prominently, so verify it directly through the ABFSE program directory (opens in a new window). If a program isn’t listed there, it likely cannot prepare you for licensure, no matter how polished its marketing looks.
State Licensing Requirements Shape Your Decision
Funeral service licensing is regulated at the state level, and some states require separate licenses for funeral directing and embalming. Most require practitioners to have passed the National Board Examination and to have completed an apprenticeship that ranges from one to three years, depending on the jurisdiction.
Continuing education requirements also vary widely, from no annual requirements in some states to 24 hours per year in others.
Decide where you plan to work before you choose where to study. The right prepares you for the specific licensing requirements in your target state (opens in a new window). When evaluating any program, ask how its coursework and clinical hours compare to the regulations in the state where you intend to practice.
What Online and Hybrid Formats Actually Look Like
Over the past decade, degrees in mortuary science have become more accessible, with more accredited programs offering coursework in online and hybrid formats. But “online” doesn’t mean the same thing at every institution.
Some programs offer fully asynchronous coursework with flexible scheduling, while others run synchronous virtual classes on a fixed timetable. The clinical component includes in-person work with supervised embalming cases, funeral arrangement observations, and restorative art practice.
Ask each program how many clinical hours it requires and whether it helps arrange placements with funeral homes near you. The strongest programs pair flexible coursework with structured clinical placement support.
How to Evaluate a Program
Accreditation shows that a program meets baseline educational standards, but it doesn’t tell you everything about quality.
One indicator of program quality is how graduates perform on the National Board Examination. Accredited programs must publish their first-time pass rate data. That data is publicly available, and reviewing it before you apply may help make your choice of schools easier. Look for consistency across multiple years and not a single strong or weak cohort.
When reviewing a program’s reported outcomes, ask whether the figures reflect graduates working specifically in funeral service or any employment at all. Those are two very different measures of how well a program prepared its students for this profession.
You’ll also want to consider how schools support students (opens in a new window). Programs that assign dedicated academic advisors and provide structured guidance through the licensing process tend to serve nontraditional students most effectively.
Carefully Consider Program Fit
The funeral service profession is shifting. While the science requirements for licensure remain demanding, the field is moving toward more emphasis on family care, grief support, cultural competency, and the business operations side of funeral homes. Programs need to balance strong science preparation with meaningful coursework in the social sciences and funeral service arts to reflect where the profession is headed.
Consider also how a program’s pace and format fit your actual life. An on-campus program suits recent high school graduates who want a traditional college experience. Career changers and working professionals need a hybrid schedule that fits around a job.
Financial aid (opens in a new window) is another practical factor. At many institutions, a significant percentage of students receive aid that makes tuition more manageable. The right program meets your academic standards and also fits the reality of your schedule and responsibilities.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (opens in a new window), employment for funeral service workers is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, with approximately 5,600 openings expected annually. The median annual wage was $61,410 as of May 2025. Those numbers point to a profession with steady demand and reliable earning potential.
Take the Next Step With AAMI
Founded in 1926, AAMI offers its associate degree in funeral service in both an on-campus and a hybrid format. With flexible scheduling, financial aid, and a curriculum designed to prepare graduates for the National Board Examination and the practical demands of the profession, AAMI serves students across the country. Request information or start your application (opens in a new window) to find out how the program can work for you.