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WSCC creates path to mortuary science degree

Photo submitted by Washington State Community College Washington State Community College students Chase Brundige and Jordan Weber join instructor Andrew Morgan in a Principles of Biology lab. The Principles of Biology course and lab are both included in the courses required to complete the Associates of Individual Study degree and further education in the mortuary science program.

Dennis Lankford of McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home finds his profession rewarding as he helps families get through one of the hardest times of their lives.

“I started working at a funeral home part-time while attending college and developed a like for the service provided,” he said.

It’s a career direction more local people could now take, with Washington State Community College poised to start a pathway to a mortuary science degree.

The college has teamed up with the Cincinnati School of Mortuary Science to enable WSCC graduates with the Associate of Individual Study degree to further their education and complete a bachelors degree in mortuary science in less than two years.

Local funeral home owner Bill Peoples of Cawley and Peoples Funeral Home said he’s excited about the new opportunity for students in the area.

“I grew up in the business and the option to save money and go closer to home rather than moving to Cincinnati is a great idea,” he said.

Peoples is also a trustee of CCMS and a graduate as well.

“As a graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, I followed in my father’s footsteps and own three funeral homes in Marietta, Barlow and Lowell,” he said.

Courses that will be studied include everything from basic anatomy and physiology to embalming theory and funeral home management. Students will be taught how to successfully run a funeral home and everything that comes with it.

In order to be a mortician in the state of Ohio, a bachelors degree is required before a test for a license. There are also two separate licenses offered for either directing funeral homes or embalming. CCMS offers hands-on embalming classes to prepare students for the reality of this career.

Mortuary science is one of the top 25 professions in Ohio according to seniorjobbank.org.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average national salary for morticians is $54,330. This is $20,000 more than the national average for all occupations, and for other workers within the funeral industry.

“This new program offers a new opportunity to this area serving local needs and opening new pathways for students,” said Mark Nutter, vice president for Academic Affairs at Washington State Community College. “This profession is important and is something that is needed everywhere all over the country. Washington State Community College in collaboration with the Cincinnati School of Mortuary Science will bring opportunity for mortuary science study to the lower-eastern Ohio area.”

Washington State Community College and Cincinnati School of Mortuary signed this agreement during the summer and students can enroll at any time. Courses start in the spring.

“The unique thing about this new program is that it combines science courses with business courses,” said David Sheimann, director of Retention, Completion and the Center of Student Success at Washington State Community College.  “This sets up a very specific transfer route in order to complete the program in Cincinnati.”

The curriculum is evenly distributed with science, psychology and business courses.

Students with an interest in completing the mortuary science degree must successfully complete 52 credit hours of pre-requisites at Washington State Community College.  Those credits will then be applied toward the additional 64 credits needed to earn the Associate of Individualized Study degree.

That degree will then allow graduates to transfer to Cincinnati School of Mortuary Science as a junior and complete the program. Students should graduate 16 months after being admitted into CCMS.

Cincinnati School of Mortuary Science was established in 1882. Its program for mortuary science is certified by the American Board of Funeral Service Education and qualifies students to sit for the national board of examination.

“We have been recruiting for this step-by-step program and begin offering courses for this study in the spring,” Sheimann said.

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