MORTUARY SCIENCE
Erie Community College has entered into an agreement with three New York State institutions offering preparation for a career in Mortuary Science. This agreement permits the students to complete approximately one-half of an associate degree in mortuary science at ECC. The student must them transfer to one of the affiliated schools to complete training in this area.
ECC’s agreements are with Simmons Institute of Funeral Service in Syracuse, Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY and SUNY Canton in Canton, NY. Each institution offers a different advantage over the others. Simmons is geographically the closest to Buffalo. HVCC offers much of its program online. SUNY Canton permits students to continue on for a bachelor's degree in mortuary science. ECC strongly suggests that candidates contact each school to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Each school differs somewhat in terms of course requirements. In that Simmons, HVCC or SUNY Canton will award the degree, ECC urges students to work closely with the school they plan to attend to ensure that they are taking the courses needed at their degree-granting college.
Please note that completion of one-half of students’ work at ECC is cost efficient and convenient. In general, ECC will offer coursework in business, biology, English and social science. The transfer school will stress such topics as embalming, restorative art and mortuary law. Upon completion of all coursework prescribed with a satisfactory academic average, the student is awarded a degree and is eligible, after meeting internship and other requirements, to sit for the national exam.