(DRAFT) Mortuary Science (BS)
A degree in Mortuary Science
Since 1939, the Wayne State University Mortuary Science Program has been dedicated to educating and developing funeral service professionals who serve their communities with care and distinction. Through traditional, online and hybrid programs, students benefit from high quality instruction and practical experiences that lay the foundation for their funeral service careers.
What can I do with a Mortuary Science Degree?
Terra State Community College (eligible degrees)
- Associate of Arts (AA)
- Associate of Science (AS)
- Pre-Mortuary Science (Associate of Individualized Study, AIS)
- Other degree programs are possible but may exceed 120 total credits
Recommended Terra State degree: Pre-Mortuary Science (AIS)
For the Mortuary Science Transfer Pathway, the Ohio Transfer 36 (min. 36 credits) satisfies Wayne State University's General Education Requirements (equivalent to Michigan Transfer Agreement).
- First Writing-3 crs.
- Mathematics-3 crs.
- Natural Science-6 crs.
- Social & Behavioral Sciences-6 crs.
- Arts & Humanities-6 crs.
- Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion-not required
| Goal/Area of study | Terra State Community College Course | Credits | WSU Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writing (English Composition) | *ENG 1050 College Composition I | 3 | ENG 1020 |
| *ENG 1060 College Composition II | 3 | ENG 3010 | |
| Arts & Humanities (Humanities/Fine Arts) | *HUM 1010 Critical thinking | 3 | PHI 1050 |
| See OT36; approved Arts & Humanities course | 3 | See advisor | |
| Mathematics | See OT36; approved Mathematics course (MTH 2010 Statistics recommended) | 4 | See advisor |
| Natural Sciences | *BIO 2010 Biology | 4 | ?? BIO 1510/1511 |
| *CHM 1210 Foundations of Chemistry | 3 | ?? CHM 1000 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (Social Sciences) | *PSY 1210 General Psychology | 3 | PSY 1020 |
| *SOC 2010 Fundamentals of Sociology | 3 | SOC 1010 | |
| Mortuary Science Pathway Courses | *BIO 1200 Intro Anatomy and Physiology | 3 | BIO 2870 |
| *SPE 2200 Interpersonal Communication | 3 | COM 2200 | |
| *MED 2400 Medical Terminology | 3 | CLS 3330 | |
| *SPE 2010 Effective Speaking | 3 | COM 1010 | |
| *Pick one (1) course: ACC 1100, LAW 2420, MGT 1100, or MGT 1210 | 3-4 | ACC 3010, BLW 2510, MGT 2530, or MGT 5700 | |
| BIO 1720 Microbiology | 3 | BIO 1XXX (substitute for PH 2100) | |
| Total Credits | 44-45 |
*Mortuary Science (MS) program specific prerequisite; must be completed before admission into the program. All grades in prerequisite requirements must be a minimum of "C" or better (2.0 on a 4.0 grade scale).
| Transfer Credit Summary | Credits |
|---|---|
| Pathway and The Ohio Transfer 36 (OT36) | 44-45 |
| Associate degree requirements and additional electives * -See advisor for course recommendations based on associate degree requirements, educational interests, and career goals. | 19-20 |
| Total Transfer Credits | 64 min. |
Notes:
- The range of credit hours (Associate degree requirements and additional electives) allows for earning credentials, such as certificates, or additional transfer credit while completing an associate degree. Some course(s) not included in the pathway may satisfy Wayne State requirements.
- The Ohio Transfer 36 (OT36), Associate of Arts (AA), or Associate of Science (AS) satisfies Wayne State’s university general education requirements.
- All courses and equivalencies based on catalog year 2025-2026
| Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mortuary Science | Credit |
|---|---|
| Fall Semester | |
| MS 3970 Practicum I | 3 |
| MS 3500 Embalming I | 2 |
| MS 3600 Restorative Art I | 3 |
| MS 3800 Funeral Directing | 3 |
| MS 3830 Psychology of Death and Dying | 3 |
| MS 4050 Anatomy for Mortuary Science | 2 |
| MS 4250 Microbiology & Pathology for Mortuary Science | 3 |
| Winter Semester | |
| MS 3980 Practicum II | 3 |
| MS 3300 Religions, Values, & Death | 2 |
| MS 3400 Funeral Service Law & Ethics I | 3 |
| MS 3510 Embalming II | 2 |
| MS 3610 Restorative Art II | 2 |
| MS 3810 Funeral Service Marketing & Merchandising | 3 |
| MS 3100 Thanatochemistry | 2 |
| MS 5350 Funeral Service Communications | 1 |
| Spring Semester | |
| MS 3620 Preparation for Disposition | 2 |
| MS 3760 Funeral Service History & Trends | 2 |
| MS 3840 Funeral Service Applications | 3 |
| Spring/Summer Semester | |
| MS 3410 Funeral Service Law & Ethics II | 3 |
| MS 4000 Practicum III | 3 |
| MS 4450 Funeral Service Management & Accounting | 3 |
| MS 5996 Professional Review | 3 |
| Total Credits | 56 |
Notes:
- An online and part-time schedule are also available that meet the educational requirements for licensure in every state.
- All applicants must attend one monthly Information Meeting at the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Additional information regarding monthly meetings can be found on the college's website.
| Wayne State credit summary | Credit |
|---|---|
| Major | 56 |
| TOTAL WAYNE STATE CREDITS | 56 min. |
| TOTAL WAYNE STATE and TRANSFER CREDITS | 120 min. |
Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Information meetings are designed to help prospective students answer questions about the educational opportunities available in the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. They are held the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Wayne State University - Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Primary contacts
Terra State Community College
Academic Advising
419.559.2345 | advising@terra.edu
Wayne State University, Transfer Student Success Center
Transfer Advising | 313-577-2487 | transfer@wayne.edu
Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Robert Hellar, Academic Services Officer, ac4659@wayne.edu
Notes
- You can review how courses transfer using the course equivalency tool for other acceptable equivalences. For a self-service, customized WSU degree audit, please visit https://wayne.edu/transfer/tess
- Wayne State requires a minimum of 30 credits in residency.
- The pathway allows multiple associate degree options with the flexibility to customize your degree path. The minimum eligibility to participate in the Wayne State Mortuary Science Transfer Pathways is a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above, the Ohio Transfer 36, and an associate degree. See transfer credit guidelines.
- All college-level (non-developmental), non-duplicated courses with a 2.0 (C) grade point average (GPA) or above will be considered for transfer credit. Earned credit will transfer as 1) direct course equivalency, 2) major/department credit, or 3) elective credit. Credits not earned at Terra State Community College will need to be taken at WSU.
- These pathways do not replace the importance of academic advising. The pathway provides a general roadmap to degree completion.
Career insights
This tool provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills, or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.