AAMI’s Online Program offers the same comprehensive funeral service education as our campus program, delivered with the flexibility working adults and distance learners need. If you’re ready to start a meaningful career in funeral service but need a program that fits your schedule, AAMI’s online pathway may be the right choice.
The online program is designed for students who:
- Cannot relocate to New York City for campus attendance
- Are balancing work, family, or other responsibilities
- Are self-disciplined and able to work independently
Students complete all coursework online except for required in-person components of:
- Restorative Art
- Clinical Embalming
These are scheduled at AAMI’s New York City campus during your final semester
Program Format & Structure
- Same courses, content, and requirements as the campus program
- 69-credit associate degree completed in as little as 5 semesters (full-time)
- Part-time option available (up to 4 years to finish)
- All courses offered every semester
- Online semesters begin January, April, and September
🗓 Required in-person sessions are scheduled each semester. See AAMI’s website for dates and details
Admission Requirements
To apply to the Online Program, you must:
- Have a high school diploma or state-approved equivalency
- Comply with any legal or educational requirements in your intended state of practice
- Own or have 24/7 access to a personal computer and email address
Applications are accepted online or by calling (866) 864-9989
Technology Requirements
You must have:
- A computer (no tablets or mobile-only devices)
- Web camera, printer, and high-speed internet
- Microsoft Word, Adobe Reader, and email
- Local administrative access to install required software
AAMI uses Blackboard Learn (SaaS) for all course delivery. Check aami.edu for the most up-to-date technical specs and supported browsers.
Exams & Proctoring
- Most exams are online, with scheduled midterms and finals
- Exams may be password-protected and time-limited
- Proctoring options include:
- ProctorU (live webcam proctoring)
- Remote Proctor Now (recorded session review)
- Military officers (for active-duty students)
Accreditation
AAMI is authorized by the New York State Board of Regents and accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097.
Course Withdrawals & Refunds
Withdrawal deadlines and refund eligibility vary by course length and timing. Full withdrawal policies, including refund percentages for 7-, 9-, and 13-week courses, are available on AAMI’s website.
Please consult the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing from any course, as changes may impact your eligibility
Academic Policies For Online Students
- No minimum number of credits required per semester
- Maximum load: 14 credits per term
- Degree must be completed within 4 years of starting
- Once 35 credits are completed, remaining coursework must be finished within 2 years
- Online students must maintain active participation to meet attendance standards
State Authorization
Article I. Curriculum Information
All courses in AAMI’s curriculum are offered each semester. Online semesters start in September, January and April. Required on-campus work is offered each semester on scheduled dates and times.
See the AAMI website for start dates for courses each semester and the dates for Campus required Lab and course work. Additional time on campus will be required if students have not met required clinical/embalming requirements.
Article II. State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)
The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) is a private nonprofit organization [501(c)(3)] that helps expand students’ access to educational opportunities and ensure more efficient, consistent, and effective regulation of distance education programs. All states except California, including New York, where AAMI is physically located, are part of NC-SARA. Out-of-state distance education students are called SARA students.
Article III. SARA Complaint Resolution Process
AAMI, as a participant in SARA, believes that every SARA student deserves to have a positive educational experience at their institution. To that end, SARA provides a process for consumer protection complaints for SARA students. consumer protection complaints against a School are allegations of improper or fraudulent activity, such as the provision of false or misleading information about program completion time or costs. The first step is for the student to exhaust the institution’s internal grievance process. If the SARA Complaint is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, a student may appeal the institution’s decision with the state Portal Entity of the State where institution is physically located within two years of the incident at issue. See this link for more information. Please also see an overview of the process for SARA complaints at this link.
More specifically, an AAMI student from any of the NC-SARA participating states should first pursue resolution of a SARA Complaint through AAMI’s internal grievance procedures. Please contact Donald Cymbor at [email protected] in the case of a grievance. This process can also be found on page 34 in AAMI’s Student Handbook. If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of the institution’s complaint process, the student may appeal the institution’s decision with the NY State Education Department within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made. NC-SARA policies do not cover student complaints related to grades or student conduct violations. Please see a link to the NY State Education Department’s website that explains the regular (non-SARA) complaint process.
Visit aami.edu or contact Admissions to verify authorization in your state.
Article IV. AAMI’s Accreditation
American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service, Inc. and the Funeral Service degree program are 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.
The New York State Board of Regents has authorized AAMI to offer an Associate in Occupational Studies (A.O.S.) degree.
Is Online Learning Right For You?
Successful online students are:
- Self-motivated and organized
- Comfortable with technology
- Able to manage independent study and deadlines
You won’t be alone. Courses include online discussions, team projects, and instructor feedback, so you’ll stay connected throughout your education.