The Program of Mortuary Science combines coursework in the basic and behavioral sciences with instruction in the liberal arts.

Funeral directors are health care professionals who serve others during a time of loss, pain, and grief. The mortuary science program prepares graduates to serve bereaved members of their communities in a manner that is proficient, dignified, and caring. Program objectives conform to standards of the American Board of Funeral Service Education; International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, Inc.; and Minnesota Department of Health.

The Program of Mortuary Science at the University of Minnesota is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 3432 Ashland Avenue, Suite U, St. Joseph, Missouri 64506, 816-233-3747. Web: www.abfse.org. The annual passage rate of first-time takers on the National Board Examination (NBE) for the most recent three-year period for this institution and all ABFSE accredited funeral service education programs is posted on the ABFSE Web site (www.abfse.org).

Students usually enter the program at the start of their junior year. An advanced standing plan is open to applicants with outstanding course records and who already hold their first bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or who have completed the University's liberal education requirements. To decrease the number of credits taken as a part of this curriculum, students may be able to transfer similar courses from other institutions (for example, microbiology, personal/community health, and medical or health sciences terminology). Contact the program office before registering to determine if courses will be approved for transfer credit. For more information about the Program of Mortuary Science, visit the Web site at www.mortuaryscience.umn.edu.
Admission Requirements
Students must complete 60 credits before admission to the program.   Freshmen and transfer students are usually admitted to pre-major status before admission to this major.
A GPA above 2.00 is preferred for the following:
2.5 for students already admitted to the degree-granting college.
2.5 for students transferring from another University of Minnesota college.
2.5 for students transferring from outside the University.
Upon admission, students are required to submit proof of certain immunizations and vaccinations. Students must submit an essay and two letters of recommendation as part of the admission process. Criteria for the essay and letters of recommendation are available on the program's Web site: www.mortuaryscience.umn.edu.
Upon admission, students are required to submit proof of certain immunizations and vaccinations. Students must submit an essay and two letters of recommendation as part of the admission process. Criteria for the essay and letters of recommendation are available on the program's Web site: www.mortuaryscience.umn.edu.

For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the   Office of Admissions Web site.
Pre-Mortuary Science Courses
 Students usually enter the program at the beginning of their junior year. Freshmen and sophomores are urged to contact the program office for counsel in planning an appropriate pre-professional program. The following courses are required for admission to the B.S. program (except PUBH 3001 and PHAR 1002, which are not required but strongly recommended).
Letters of Recommendation, Personal Statement
Applicants must provide the program with two letters of recommendation and a personal statement as part of the application process. Criteria for the letters of recommendation and personal statement are found on the program's Web site: www.mortuaryscience.umn.edu.
General Requirements
All students are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the liberal education requirements.
Program Requirements
60 credits of upper division coursework are required.
Students must pass a comprehensive program examination prior to being certified to sit for the National Board Examination. Details of the examination process are available on the program's Web site: www.mortuaryscience.umn.edu.

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