FSE - Funeral Service Education

FSE121 Funeral Service Orientation

Credits 3Fall

Registration Requirement: Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education program.

A survey course of funeral trends and history from ancient days to present. Specialized vocabulary of funeral service is introduced.

FSE122 Funeral Service Sociology

Credits 3Winter

Registration Requirement: Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education program.

This course analyzes the interplay of societies and funeralization, surveys religious and ethnic funeral customs found in American society, and explores families and family roles in the funeral.

FSE124 Funeral Service Law

Credits 4Spring

Registration Requirement: Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education program.

A survey course of relevant legal principles. Mortuary law, probate law and business law are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on legal responsibilities of the funeral service practitioner.

FSE211 Embalming I

Credits 4Fall

Registration Requirement: Second year standing in the Funeral Service Education program.

In this course, students are introduced to practical embalming theory supported by learning of injection methods, types of embalming agents, post-mortem conditions and their treatment. Students participate in embalming lab throughout the course.

Additional Course Fee: $600.00

FSE212 Embalming II

Credits 4Winter

Registration Requirement: FSE211 with a grade of "C" or better, and second-year standing in the Funeral Service Education program.

The lecture portion of the course focuses on systemic circulation, distribution and diffusion of fluid and embalming chemistry.

Additional Course Fee: $600.00

FSE213 Embalming III

Credits 3Spring

Registration Requirement: FSE212 with a grade of "C" or better.

Lecture classes place an emphasis on special embalming problems, such as discolorations, decomposition, edema, dehydration and contagious and infectious cases. Students participate in embalming lab throughout the course.

Additional Course Fee: $600.00

FSE214 Restorative Art

Credits 3Winter

Registration Requirement: Co-requisite: FSE212 enrollment, and second-year standing in the Funeral Service Education program.

A study of the anatomy of the face and head, surface anatomy and physiognomic forms, reconstructions of facial tissues employing different media, general restorative treatments, projection, form and color in the restorative process.

FSE215 Cremation

Credits 2Fall

Registration Requirement: Second-year status in the Funeral Service Education program.

This course introduces students to cremation and its associated processes, options and legal requirements. Students will be prepared to assist bereaved clients with cremation choices.

FSE216 Funeral Service Microbiology

Credits 3Winter

Registration Requirement: Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education program.

A study of microorganisms with emphasis on pathogens and infectious processes. Applications are made to personal health and public health concerns of embalmers and funeral directors.

FSE217 Funeral Service Pathology

Credits 3Spring

Registration Requirement: Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education program. Co-requisite: MO111 or equivalent medical terminology course.

A survey of disease processes: etiology, pathogenesis, homeostatic mechanisms and regressive tissue changes. Implications of forensic pathology for funeral service professionals are considered.

FSE219 Funeral Service Chemistry

Credits 3Fall

Registration Requirement: Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education program; and CH104, CH151, or CH221 with a grade of "C" or better; or equivalent.

A basic survey of inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry as they relate to the embalming and decomposition processes. Emphasis is placed on components and their uses in embalming fluids.

FSE221 Funeral Home Management I

Credits 3Fall

Registration Requirement: Second-year standing in the Funeral Science Education program.

The role and function of the funeral director as an effective manager is explored. Considerations in establishing a funeral home are covered. Emphasis is placed on management functions of planning, organizing, motivating, directing and controlling. Human relations as they relate to management of personnel are discussed.

FSE222 Funeral Home Management II

Credits 3Winter

Registration Requirement: FSE221 with a grade of "C" or better.

This course examines business operations within funeral service. Emphasis is placed on merchandising principles as they are related to the funeral business. Mock arrangements in which students set up a large room with merchandise and offices for the purpose of making practice arrangements with the community are part of this class.

FSE225 Funeral Directing

Credits 3Fall

Registration Requirement: Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education program.

A survey of the funeral directors responsibilities: funeral arrangements, conduct of the funeral, visitation, final disposition and responsibilities of the family in need.

FSE227 Funeral Service Counseling

Credits 3Winter

Registration Requirement: Second-year standing in the FSE program.

Analysis of the funeral director's role as counselor in matters pertaining to death, dying, grief, bereavement and mourning. Counseling principles are applied to the funeral service setting.

FSE240 Funeral Service Clinical Practicum

Credits 6Summer/Spring

Registration Requirement: Instructor consent.

A term-long clinical practicum experience served in local funeral homes; learning experiences are guided by faculty and supervised by a funeral home preceptor. FSE program faculty will help students find clinical sites. Students take three credit hours of FSE240A in summer, fall, winter or spring, or six credits in FSE240 in summer or spring, for six credits overall.

FSE240A Funeral Service Clinical Practicum

Credits 3Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: Instructor consent.

A term-long clinical practicum experience served in local funeral homes; learning experiences are guided by faculty and supervised by a funeral home preceptor. FSE program faculty will help students find clinical sites. Students take three credit hours of FSE240A in summer, fall, winter or spring, or six credits in FSE240 in summer or spring, for six credits overall. Students must obtain a state intern license. The intern license requires a criminal background check.

FSE245 Funeral Service Issues

Credits 3Spring

Registration Requirement: Second-year standing in the FSE program.

This course reviews and tests all 13 subjects that are tested on the National Board Examination (NBE). The NBE is the nationally-recognized standard for FSE graduates and taking the NBE is one requirement of graduation from the FSE program at Mt. Hood Community College. This course is taken during the students' sixth term, their last before graduation.

Course fees are subject to change. Additional section fees (web, hybrid, etc.) may apply.