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Funeral Service Education - How to Get Started

The funeral service education (FSE) program is a limited-entry program. This means you must meet certain criteria before you can apply. Applicants are selected through a point-based system. The program admits 20 first-year students and as space allows for second-year students every fall term. Students of all races, ethnicities, ages, genders, religions, sexual orientations, socio-economic statuses, nationalities, physical abilities, and cognitive differences are Welcome, добро пожаловать! Bienvenido! ยินดีต้อนรับ!

Funeral Service Education Program Application Information

We are excited about your interest in our funeral service education program at Mt. Hood Community College. Below are the requirements to fulfill to be considered an applicant for the program.

Admissions Requirements

Admission decisions are based on a point system using academic and non-academic criteria. To apply for fall term 2024 admission, you must meet the requirements below by the deadline date of April 5, 2024. Below are the prerequisites required as well as an explanation of the points system used as the basis for admission.

These courses are required and must be completed by the end of the winter term, March 2024.

To Apply As A First-Year Student:
You must meet the writing and math prerequisites outlined below by one of the options listed.

OPTION 1 – Placement Scores

  • Writing: Placement score into WR115 or higher
  • Math: Placement score into MTH060/MTH058 or higher

For placement scores, you may use the Accuplacer College Placement Test (CPT), Smarter Balanced, GPA/high school records, or GED® scores for meeting the prerequisite requirements. CPT scores are valid for five years and cannot be older than April 5, 2019.

 OPTION 2 – Course Completion

  • Writing: Completion of WR090 or higher with a “C” grade or higher
  • Math: Completion of MTH020 or higher with a “C” grade or higher

To Apply as a Second-Year Student:
Second-year applicants must complete all courses listed below with a “C” grade or higher by the end of the summer term, August 2024. Courses with “Z” at the end are equivalent to the same course without the “Z.” For in-progress courses not taken at MHCC, official transcripts showing grades earned must be received on or before Sept. 6, 2024.

Transfer coursework used to fulfill second-year program entrance requirements must be a direct equivalent to the MHCC courses list below. Use the MHCC course equivalency tool to see if your courses from other colleges apply! Non-MHCC students need to submit official transcript(s) and request a transcript evaluation. Evaluations can take up to six weeks. You can verify transfer equivalency by running a degree audit after your transcript evaluation is complete.

If you are accepted as a second-year student but do not complete the required courses, your acceptance may be revoked, and you will need to reapply the following academic year. Alternatively, you may be considered for a first-year student position if a seat becomes available.

  • AC110 General Accounting I (BA211 Principles of Accounting I may be substituted for AC110. However, AC110 is the recommended course to take.)
  • MO111 Medical Terminology
  • BI100 Survey of Body Systems OR
  • BI121 Anatomy and Physiology I OR
  • BI231 Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology I
  • CH104 General Chemistry for Health Professions OR
    CH151 Basic Chemistry OR
    CH221 General Chemistry
  • BA131 Introduction to Business Computing OR
    CIS120 & CIS120L Computer Concepts with Lab
  • Any HE, HPE or PE course (three credits required for degree completion)
  • MTH065 Beginning Algebra II (or higher) OR
    MTH058 Quantitative Reasoning
  • PSY201 General Psychology OR
    PSY202 General Psychology
  • COMM100Z Basic Speech Communication OR
    COMM111Z Fundamentals of Public Speaking OR
    COMM115 Introduction to Intercultural Communication OR
    COMM218Z Interpersonal Communication OR
    COMM219 Small Group Communications OR
    PSY101 Psychology of Human Relations
  • WR121Z English Composition

Point Award System

All applicants are eligible to be awarded points in all categories unless specified that it is for second-year applicants only.

Credit Hours Completed
  • 15 – 30: one point
  • 31 – 45: two points
  • 46 – 60: three points
  • 60+: four points
Previous Degrees (Award for Highest Degree Received Only)
  • Associate: two points
  • Bachelor's: three points
  • Master's: four points
  • PhD: five points

Second-Year Applicant Coursework Completed
Point Award Not Applicable to First-Year Applicants

  • One to four first-year required courses: one point
  • Five to nine first-year required courses: three points
  • 10 first-year required courses: five points

Location or Region

  • Oregon: five points
  • Washington: three points
  • Idaho: three points
  • Montana: three points
  • Other: two points

Related Employment Minimum Three Months Experience to Receive Points*

  • FSE registered apprenticeship or internship (in those states where it is permitted by law): 10 points
  • FSE-related employment (removals, embalming, work in funeral homes, etc.): eight points
  • Non-FSE health-related experience where applicants are exposed to death and/or dying (i.e., Assisted Living, EMT, CNA, CMA, etc.): five points
  • General customer service experience: three points
  • Bonus points for a letter signed by the supervisor (for the top three categories listed above only, not for general customer service): two points
  • FSE-related volunteer experience or shadowing (no time limit): one point

*Priority consideration and point awarding is given to applicants with an apprenticeship or related work experience. All verification documents must be on company letterhead, signed by the supervisor or apprenticeship supervisor, and uploaded to the application.

TRANSCRIPTS: Applicants that have not completed nine semester credits or 13.5 quarter credits of college-level courses (excluding developmental courses) from a regionally accredited school, with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher must submit a high school or GED® transcript. The high school transcript must show a graduation date and the GED® transcript must show an overall "Pass" score. If you took your GED® test at MHCC, you must still submit your official GED® transcript. Visit GED® Testing Services to obtain your official GED® transcript.

Driver's License: Provide your current driver's license information on your application form. Funeral homes require that interns, apprentices, and licensees possess a valid driver's license. Lack of a valid license or driving-related convictions are reasons a funeral home may not hire an applicant.

Resume: Upload a current resume to submit with your application. The resume should include both related and unrelated work experience along with any volunteer information and dates. Funeral service-related work experience examples include apprenticeship, body removal, embalming remains, employment in a funeral home, etc. If you have funeral service-related work experience, provide documentation as noted below to receive additional application points. If you do not have funeral service-related work experience, documentation is not required. For assistance with your resume, contact the career planning and counseling center at 503-491-7432.

How to Apply

Now that you know the requirements let’s get started on the application process. Below are step by step instructions on how to get your applications submitted successfully!

Application Process

Apply for general admission to MHCC if you are new to MHCC or have not attended in the last four terms. Select AGS in Health Professions as your major. Please note it could take one to two business days to receive your MHCC ID number.

Pay the $35 non-refundable application fee once you are ready to submit your application, . You will need to upload your payment receipt with your application.

Submit official transcripts from every regionally accredited college attended, regardless of program relevancy, program length, or age. Applications will not be considered without all official transcripts on file at MHCC. Transcripts must be issued directly from the institution where the course(s) were completed. Coursework showing as transferred from one institution to another is not accepted. Official electronic transcripts via secure electronic delivery service may be submitted to [email protected]. E-transcripts cannot be sent from the student to MHCC as they are not considered official. If submitting transcripts by mail, send to:

Mt. Hood Community College – FSE Application
Admissions, Registration and Records
26000 SE Stark St.
Gresham OR 97030

  • Regionally Accredited Institutions: Required from all institutions attended.
  • Non-Regionally Accredited Institutions: Not required.
  • AP (Advanced Placement), CLEP, DSST or IB (International Baccalaureate) Transcripts/Scores: Required only if using for admission requirements and must be issued directly from college board or IB in a sealed envelope.
  • Foreign/Non-US Based Educational Transcripts: Required only if using for admission requirements and must be evaluated by an outside credential service before the application deadline. The evaluated transcripts must be submitted by the application deadline for the program. For more information, see international transcript. Evaluation processing for foreign transcripts could take up to six weeks. It is best to start this process early. A foreign bachelor's degree does not fulfill the prerequisite requirements.
  • MHCC transcript: Not required, already on file.

Submit your application from Nov. 1, 2023, through April 5, 2024. If applicable, please be sure to have your documents ready for uploading and your transcript(s) available for entering your prerequisite courses. You must read the Funeral Services Handbook as part of this application. You must have all your documents ready. Once started, your application cannot be saved.

Funeral Services Handbook

Apply Now

As your application gets reviewed, the status will be updated in the MyMHCC portal.

Application Timeline
  • November 2023: You may submit your application.
  • April 5, 2024: Application deadline. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered for admissions. Please note, once the deadline has passed, the program director may consider additional applicants for admission as second-year students if space is available. If you have experience in the funeral service profession, especially apprenticeship, and want to apply after the deadline has passed, please contact Doug Ferrin. Late applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis, must be highly qualified and meet all program admission criteria.
  • Week of April 22: Notification of program acceptance emailed.
  • May 2024: Mandatory orientation for accepted students. Attendance is required, or a waitlisted candidate will be given your assigned spot in the program. Program instructors are available during the academic year, less so in the summer.
  • Sept. 23, 2024: Start date for fall term classes.
Dates are subject to change. Any changes to the processing timeline will be updated here immediately. Do not inquire about the status of your application while processing is taking place.

After You Apply

  • Applications will be evaluated and assessed points.
  • The top 20 qualified first-year students and top second-year students are accepted into the program.
  • The next qualified candidates are waitlisted for first and second-year students and offered a position in the class if any of the accepted candidates decline their position in the program.

If you are offered a seat in the program, you will be required to complete the following to keep your position:

  • Attend the required orientation in May (a specific date and time will be in your acceptance letter). At orientation, you will meet with your instructors and classmates, learn about the required health and safety documents, criminal background check and drug screen. These must be completed and turned in by the assigned due dates. You will also tour the funeral service facility.
  • Second-year students must complete any remaining courses required to start the program.

Additional Program Information

These costs are approximations and are listed only as a guide for your financial planning. Tuition is as of fall term 2023 and subject to change without notice. You are advised to have a financial plan in place. You are responsible for transportation costs to intern sites. Books, licensure fees and travel are not included in financial aid reimbursable expenses.

  • First Year Textbooks: $1,800
  • Second Year Textbooks, Program Fees (includes but is not limited to lab fees, testing software fees, and ABFSE accreditation): $3,050
  • National Board Examination: $570
  • Vaccination Series: Varies
  • Oregon Intern License: $25
  • Tuition and College Fees (1st Year: $7,079; 2nd Year: $6,591): $13,670
    Based on six terms in the program including the general education courses needed for the AAS in funeral service education but does not include prerequisites or preprogram courses. If you have completed some or all the general education courses, your tuition will be less. See current tuition rate. If you are from states other than Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, or Nevada, and have not established Oregon residency, you will pay out-of-state tuition rates for the first quarter and are then eligible for the in-state rate for subsequent terms.
  • Grand Total: $19,115

Learn about paying for college

Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) reserves the right to modify the criteria and the process for selection.

Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the funeral service education program. Admission of all students to the program is centralized in the admissions, registration, and records office. This office has the final authority on what constitutes equivalency for all admission criteria and the sole authority to inform students of their admission status.

If you have questions regarding admission requirements and procedures, please email [email protected].

Reasons for Admission Disqualification: Withholding information or providing materially misleading information and giving untruthful information to questions on the program application or during the application process could be cause for non‐acceptance or dismissal from the program. If you were admitted and then failed a required course or were dismissed from the program or any other health related program, you may be denied admission into the program.

Application Reopen Disclosure: In the event of an insufficient applicant pool, the program director reserves the right to re-open the application. Please check the website for application reposting updates.

Previous Admission: If you were previously accepted into the program and then declined acceptance or withdrew, you may not be given priority consideration in subsequent applications. You will need to re‐apply to the program and will be required to meet the current program admission requirements and program standards. Materials cannot be brought forward from previous applications for a current application. Updated official transcripts are required only if new courses have been taken.

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Read Funeral Service Education Frequently Asked Questions


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