Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Business Administration and Accounting > Mortuary Science

2009 Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (PIMS) graduates from Thiel's 3+1 program

The Curriculum l Career Opportunities l Special Opportunities I Major Requirements

Thiel's undergraduate degree program in mortuary science is offered jointly with the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (PIMS).

Designed to be completed in four years, the mortuary science degree program integrates a broad-based education to meet the changing needs of the funeral profession with technical and professional requirements specific to funeral directing.

A student enrolls for the first five semesters at Thiel in undergraduate coursework in the sciences, business and the liberal arts. After completing these degree requirements, the student attends the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science for year-long trimester sequence in embalming and funeral directing.

Candidates earn the Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration, alongwith a diploma in embalming and funeral directing. Successfully completing the course sequence for the diploma satisfies licensing requirements for funeral directors in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.

The Curriculum
Thiel's collaborative curriculum with the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science is designed to prepare graduates to move to the forefront of the field of funeral service. Students learn not only the science and technical skills required for funeral directing, but also gain expertise in managing and marketing funeral services, in understanding the psychology of grief and in effective communications with families and clients.

An intergrative liberal arts core provides candidates with essential oral and written communications, analytic and computational, and computer skills, as well as an understanding of key concepts in psychology, humanities, religion and the natural and physcial sciences.

A rigorous sequence of courses in business, accounting, management, economics, business law, marketing and entrepreneurship ensure that candidates are well equipped to manage funeral service operations. Internship and cooperative education experiences provide opportunities for practicing concepts learned in the classroom.

Specific course in embalming and funeral directing satisfy licensing requirements.

Career Opportunities
With more than 21,000 funeral homes in the United States — and 1,000 in the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia — there is a strong employment demand for funeral service professionals. Demand is especially strong in management positions for undergraduate degree graduates with strong preparation in business management, psychology and communications.

Qualified funeral service professionals carry out a range of responsibilities, including:

• Providing support to the bereaved during initial stages of their grief;
• Arranging and directing funeral ceremonies;
• Preparing the deceased according to the wishes of the family and survivors and in accordance with requirements of the law;
• Securing information for legal documents;
• Filing death certificates and other legal papers;
• Assisting survivors with details for filing claims for death benefits;
• Helping individuals adapt to changes in their lives following a death through post-death counseling and support group activities;
• Assisting individuals with plans for their own funeral ceremonies, as well as financial and legal considerations, prior to death.

In addition, many funeral service professionals also manage a complete range of business operations, often as small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Special Opportunities
The undergraduate program in mortuary science is offered through the Arthur McGonigal Department of Business Administration and affiliated with the Haller Enterprise Institute.

Mortuary science candidates are eligible for internships and co-op work experiences through the department, as well as for academic scholarships, prizes and other recognitions awarded by the Haller Enterprise Institute. Through its courses, seminars and awards, The Enterprise Institute encourages entrepreneurship, small business development and family-owned enterprises.