This academic program is designed to meet specific state or professional needs. It is not accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Students graduating from this program will not have the academic credential for licensure in states where graduation from an ABFSE accredited program is required.
To be considered a candidate for graduation from the Funeral Director Certificate (FDC) at Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, the following guidelines must be met:
If the student has an outstanding balance with the College at the time of graduation, the College will not post the award to the student’s official transcript until the balance is paid in full. Official transcripts showing the awarding of a degree or certificate are required in most states for licensure.
Course Number
Course Title
Lecture Hours
Lab Hours
Total Hours
Qtr Credit Hours
Totals
121
0
121
11
Course Number
Course Title
Lecture Hours
Lab Hours
Total Hours
Qtr Credit Hours
Totals
143
0
143
13
Course Number
Course Title
Lecture Hours
Lab Hours
Total Hours
Qtr Credit Hours
Totals
121
0
121
11
Course Number
Course Title
Lecture Hours
Lab Hours
Total Hours
Qtr Credit Hours
Totals
110
0
110
10
Program Totals
99
0
495
45
This course is a comprehensive review and learning assessment of the arts (non-science) curriculum to prepare students to successfully complete the capstone competency exam. Emphasis is placed on specific problem areas and the requirements for licensure examinations. Required to be taken in the students’ final quarter.
This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the history of funeral service, highlighting the individuals, events, and cultural forces that have shaped contemporary funeral principles and practices, while exploring the evolution of professional associations and educational standards within the funeral service industry.
This course introduces students to the basics of merchandising as it applies to the funeral profession. This course explores the construction and features of caskets, outer burial containers, and other funeral, cremation, and cemetery products. It also examines methods of purchasing, pricing, display, and sale of funeral and cemetery merchandise as well as funeral and cemetery services.
This course will provide students with an overview of cremation topics including proper procedures, legal considerations, services, merchandise, trends, and the history of cremation. This course will also explore non-traditional disposition options including eco-friendly funerals, cryonics, alkaline hydrolysis, green burial, natural organic reduction, and burial at sea.
This course will focus on the fundamental duties, responsibilities, and expectations of those practicing funeral service. Including notification of death, transfer of remains, conduct of the arrangement conference, pre-funded / preplanned funerals, religious practices, shipment of remains, and aftercare.
This course will provide students with a survey of the basic principles of effective communication skills as they relate to funeral service. Topics will include the communication process, language, nonverbal communication, listening, self-concept, public speaking; interpersonal, group, business communication with an emphasis on soft skills; and the use of technology in communication.
This course gives a broad overview of the basic principles of Funeral Service Management. General management theory is applied to funeral service practice with a focus on concepts, functions, and areas of management. In addition, trends in funeral service and disaster preparedness are explored.
This course provides students with principles of sociology related to funeral service. Emphasis is placed on family and social structures, and the changes in each as related to funeral service. This course will also examine religious, fraternal, and military rites as they relate to funeral service.
This course examines psychology and counseling as they relate to funeral service. Specifically stressed are the psychological concepts in the areas of grief, bereavement, mourning, aftercare, and crisis intervention with emphasis on the role of the funeral practitioner.
This course will familiarize students with the origins, philosophy, and importance of ethics in funeral service. This course will help students develop a strong set of professional ethics. This knowledge will help funeral practitioners do what is proper and in the best interests of those they serve while maintaining public trust.
This course explores essential study skills for college level academics, as well as proven methods for stress management. Emphasis is given to organizational and time management skills, as well as concepts of mindfulness. Additionally, this course explores current trends in the workforce in terms of expectations and requirements, pay rates and job placement, and professional practices.
This course is a survey of the basic principles of business law related to funeral service. Especially stressed are the bodies of law and the judicial system found in the United States of America including contracts, sales, bailments, negotiable instruments, agency, employment, and business organizations.
This course is designed to introduce students to the rights, duties, and responsibilities of the funeral service practitioner and funeral establishment. This includes state and federal laws, regulations, and administrative agency law pertaining to funeral service.
This course explores the principles of management applicable to small business. Areas of study include planning for a new or existing business, organization, location, and marketing strategies. Financial planning, basic accounting, capital asset management, personnel management, use of technology and elements of sound business management will be emphasized.
This course is designed to introduce students to psychological and sociological norms. Students will learn concepts of general psychology including schools of thought, areas of specialization, social behavior, and emotional intelligence. Students will form a sociological foundation in building relationships with co-workers, community, clientele, and business.