Cypress College
Mortuary Science Program

Today's Date: Saturday July 4, 2009

The Mortuary Science Department at Cypress College prepares men and women for a career that cares for the dead and comforts the living. Students are prepared for employment as funeral directors and embalmers through courses in funeral service management, embalming, funeral directing, anatomy, restorative art, funeral service science fundamentals, funeral service counseling and mortuary law. The Mortuary Science Program has been at Cypress College since 1977 and features the finest in equipment and student services.

Courses offered in the Mortuary Science Department are instructed by faculty members who are licensed embalmers and funeral directors in the State of California, with offices and classrooms in the Health Sciences Building.

The American Board of Funeral Service Education (the national mortuary science program accrediting body) requires students to complete an Associate Degree in Mortuary Science for graduation from an accredited program. It is the recommendation of the Mortuary Science Department that the additional general education units be completed prior to entrance into the Cypress College Mortuary Science Department. This will enable students to graduate immediately upon completion of the Mortuary Science major course work. (Health Science Counselors may be contacted regarding the specific general education courses allowed).

Upon successful completion of the Mortuary Science major course work, the general education requirements, and the National Board Examination, the student will be eligible for an Associate Degree in Mortuary Science. Graduation from the Mortuary Science Associate Degree Program will enable students to write the California Embalmer’s Examination and the California Funeral Director’s Examination.

Note: If you have been convicted of any offense other than a minor traffic violation, you will be required to declare this on your state application to write the licensing exams. It may affect your eligibility to write these exams.

Out-of-state licensing requires successful completion of the Associates Degree and compliance with statutory pre-mortuary science requirements of the state in question. Eligibility to write the licensing examinations in some states may be contingent upon compliance with additional statutory requirements in those states. These requirements may also include apprenticeship and examination. Check with the Mortuary Science Program for states in question.

Cypress College

Located in northwest Orange County, near Los Angeles, California, Cypress College is a dynamic, top-quality publicly supported institution of higher learning offering degree programs. Students at Cypress College can earn an Associate Degree, prepare for transfer to a four-year institution or retrain for career changes.

The faculty at Cypress College is dedicated to providing the best education possible, by helping all students learn about themselves and the world as well as specific academic and professional disciplines. The college also offers numerous support services to all students, and the community offers numerous opportunities for part-time employment.

The Cypress College campus consists of multi-level buildings on 110 acres. Extensive landscaping enhances the attractiveness of the campus, which also includes a beautiful campus lake, numerous trees and grassy knolls where students can study and enjoy the comfortable California climate at the same time. Cypress College is located near Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, is a short drive from the mountain recreation areas and Pacific Ocean. Students have year round opportunities for relaxation and recreation.

The campus is also served by regularly scheduled bus service and has ample parking for students who drive their own cars. Numerous apartments and shopping centers are also in the immediate area.