To earn the Associate Degree in Occupational Studies at AAMI, students must meet academic, clinical, and administrative requirements. This includes successful completion of 69 credits, minimum GPA standards, and participation in clinical and review components designed to prepare graduates for licensure.
Required Coursework
Students must complete all courses in the prescribed sequence (A–K), including:
- Professional Funeral Service subjects (e.g., Ethics, Funeral Directing, Mortuary Law)
- Sciences (e.g., Chemistry, Anatomy, Pathology, Microbiology, Embalming)
- Business and General Education (e.g., Accounting, Communications, Sociology)
Each course has defined prerequisites and co-requisites. Following the sequence ensures timely degree completion and readiness for clinical work.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate from AAMI, students must:
- Complete all 69 required credits
- Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
- Maintain a satisfactory attendance record (80% minimum per course)
- Satisfy all financial obligations
- Complete all federal financial aid requirements (if applicable), including exit counseling
- Successfully complete:
- Clinical Embalming requirements (minimum of 10 embalmings)
- Restorative Art course (includes on-campus lab for online students)
- Comprehensive Review Course and National Board Review
- Pass AAMI’s Comprehensive Exam with a score of 75 or higher
Graduation ceremonies are held once a year in May.
Clinical Requirements
- Students must travel to New York City in their final semester to complete required in-person sessions for:
- Restorative Art
- Funeral Directing Practicum Lab
- Students must coordinate with AAMI’s Clinical Embalming Coordinator to secure an approved clinical site and complete their 10 embalming cases
Attendance & Participation
- Campus students must attend at least 80% of each course’s scheduled hours
- Online students must show consistent academic activity throughout each term
- Extended absences may be reviewed by AAMI’s Faculty Council on a case-by-case basis
Academic Standards
GPA Requirements (by credits attempted):
| Credits Attempted | Required GPA |
|---|---|
| 0–17 | 1.70 |
| 18-35 | 1.80 |
| 36–53 | 1.90 |
| 54+ | 2.00 |
Pace Requirement
- Students must complete at least 66.67% of all credits attempted with a passing grade (D or higher)
Grades such as F, I (Incomplete), or W (Withdrawal) may impact progress and financial aid eligibility. Refer to the Student Handbook for full policy details.
Grading System
| Grade | Description | Score Range | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Excellent | 90-100 | 4.0 |
| B | Very Good | 80–89 | 3.0 |
| C | Satisfactory | 75–79 | 2.0 |
| D | Passing | 70-74 | 1.0 |
| F | Failure (<70) | — | 0.0 |
Additional transcript codes:
- F* = Failure due to non-attendance
- NCP/NCF = No Credit (Pass/Fail)
- W/WP = Withdrawal (with/without penalty)
- TR = Transfer Credit
- -R = Repeated Course
- AU = Audit