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.

Program Overview

The Certificate in Thanatology (FSCT) for End of Life Professionals is comprised of two courses: BFS310 Thanatology and BFS311 Applied Thanatology. This professional certification is designed to expose the student to the professional practice of thanatology, promote awareness and understanding of death and how it affects individuals, whether the death is a result of an acute condition, traumatic incident or a long-standing chronic illness. The application of thanatology relates to careers who support and assist those confronting end-of-life and loss issues. We have designed our certificate program for working professions who are looking to earn additional certification without sacrificing their current position or obligations. This certificate will allow students to offer a deeper level of service to the individuals they serve in their chosen career whether they are funeral service professionals, nurses, physicians, chaplains, doulas or otherwise.

Career Options
Potential career and industry options may include:

• Funeral Service professions
• Aspiring Doulas
• End-of-life care practitioners
• Family caregivers
• Professionals who work in healthcare
• Long-term care homes 
• Hospice and palliative care volunteers
• Social service agencies 
• Community health organizations
• Ministry and spiritual care providers
• Counseling and integrative therapies
• All who heed the call to embrace dying as part of the natural life cycle with more knowledge and compassion

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Graduation Requirements

To be considered a candidate for graduation from the Funeral Service Certificate in Thanatology (FSCT) Program at Mid-America College of Funeral Service, the following guidelines must be met:

1. The student has successfully completed the FSCT program of instruction with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and passing grades in all courses;
2. The student is free of all indebtedness to the College.

Curriculum

The curriculum fulfills the requirements to receive a FSCT. The two (2) courses are as follows:

The Certificate in Thanatology for End of Life Professionals is not eligible for Financial Aid. Mid-America College of Funeral Service is not regionally accredited and that may limit the transfer of credits to another institution. All transfer credits are dependent on the receiving institution.

The Certificate in Thanatology is Indiana Post-Secondary Education approved.

Technology Requirements

For suggested information on technology requirements, please review the pdf found, here.