*The 3 semester-hour elective may be selected from any general education courses identified in the college catalog. Elective offered at Commonwealth Institute is U.S. History.
Students may complete the general requirements prior to enrollment at Commonwealth Institute or enroll in the general education courses as part of their studies in residency, to receive the AAS degree. If the general education core and the Specialized and Related courses are taken at Commonwealth Institute the AAS degree may be earned in 15 months. If all the general education core courses are transferred to Commonwealth, the degree requirements may be completed in 12 months.
Effective Jan. 1, 2004 , for AAS students to be recognized as a graduate of an ABFSE accredited program, they must take the National Board Exam, a nationally recognized licensure exam given under the auspices of the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards. Effective Sept. 1, 2003 , the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requires that AAS students, if applicable, must be assessed in reading, writing, and math skills to determine college readiness. Students are exempt from taking a test for the TSI if a qualifying score has been made on the TAKS, SAT, or ACT.
CERTIFICATE IN FUNERAL DIRECTING is designed to teach students the skills and abilities essential for employment as a funeral director in the state of Texas only. This program is designed to meet specific state or professional needs and is not accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education because it does not contain all of the required coursework in the Public Health and Technical area. Students graduating from this program are not eligible to take the National Board examination nor any state board examination for which graduation from an ABFSE accredited program is required.
Graduates of this program will be able to prepare, other than by embalming, a dead human body for burial, or other means of final disposition. They will learn how to conduct funeral service ceremonies of various religious, fraternal, military, traditional, humanistic, and nontraditional customs. Additionally, they will be able to conduct funeral arrangement conferences with families, conduct necessary paperwork in home management, and be aware of proper workplace safety guidelines for funeral service personnel. Graduates of this program may find entry-level employment as an apprentice/intern/provisional licensee with funeral homes, cemeteries, pre-need sales, and affiliate funeral service merchandise companies.
In addition to meeting the requirements for admission found elsewhere in this catalog, the Certificate in Funeral Directing also requires the completion of 13 semester /20 quarter hours of general education courses. These general education courses may be completed at any regionally accredited college or university and transferred to Commonwealth Institute; or these courses may be taken in residency at Commonwealth. Refer to Policy Granting Credit.
Students with the general education courses may complete this program in six months (two, eleven- week quarters). Please refer to the college calendar for dates of enrollment.
Students in this program are not eligible to participate in federal student aid programs or participate in Commonwealth Institute’s scholarship program.
Graduation requirements include passing each of the prescribed courses, accumulating an overall GPA of 2.0, successful completion of comprehensive examinations related to the funeral service arts, taking the National Board Examination, and fulfillment of financial obligations to Commonwealth Institute 30 days prior to graduation.
Admissions:
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- Graduation in the upper one half of high school class;
- Score an acceptable level on the SAT (1990) or ACT(21) examination;
- Take and score a minimum of 21 on the entrance examination given at Commonwealth Institute (there is no charge for this exam.) Exams are given by appointment with at least one business day prior notice.
- Successful completion of the general education core courses
TRANSITION CALENDAR – Needs to be ACADEMIC CALENDAR
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Those students showing the greatest promise for success, based on demonstrated academic ability, will receive first consideration for admission. The admissions committee may also consider such factors as student’s background, achievements, honors, and work histories in making its decision.
TEXAS SUCCESS INITIATIVE
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rules require all students, unless otherwise exempt, to be assessed of their college readiness prior to enrolling in college –level coursework using a coordination board approved assessment instrument. Institutions and students work together to develop an individualized plan for the student, which may include developmental education, retesting, or other means of insuring student have the skills necessary to pursue college-level course work.
Approved assessment instruments include the THEA (formerly the TASP test), COMPASS, ASSET, or ACCUPLACER exams.
Incoming students must test prior to enrollment or by the end of the first quarter if extenuating circumstances exist. There are exceptions and exemptions for which a student may be eligible as determined by the Dean of Academics or the Registrar.* Although not a testing cnter, Commonwealth Institute recommends the THEA exam as approved Texas High Education Coordinating Board assessment instrument. The least expensive method by which to take the THEA is at one of the 6 Saturday testing dates given statewide throughout Texas . **If a student scores below the deviation standard in any or all of the Reading , Writing, or Mathematics sections of any approved assessment instrument, retesting is required in any or all of those same sections, following advisement and development of an individualized plan.
• Applications and upcoming testing dates are available anytime in the Administrative Offices of the Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service.
** Examples of approved exemptions include: a) Completion of an AAS degree or higher prior to enrollment; b) successful completion of at least 12 semester hours from a regionally accredited postsecondary institution, from an out-of-state regionally accredited postsecondary institution; c) completion of at least one, 3 semester hour course from any regionally accredited postsecondary institution prior to the Fall of 1989.
ADMISSION
FINANCIAL AID
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FINANCIAL AID
The Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service is committed to providing financial assistance through federal grants, loans, private scholarships, veterans benefits, vocational rehabilitation, and other financing options to help students and their families meet their educational goals. However, a student’s financial aid package may not meet their full calculated need. It is ultimately the responsibility of each student to be prepared for their financial obligation to Commonwealth Institute whether it is from private sources or federal assistance.
-Federal Pell Grant
-Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans
-Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
-Federal PLUS Loans
TITLE IV FEDERAL STUDENT ASSISTANCE
ELIGIBILTY
A student is eligible to receive federal assistance if she/he meets the following criteria:
OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Veteran Benefits
Veterans requesting educational benefits should contact Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service’s Registrar for assistance in obtaining VA benefits.
To ensure that your benefits are available when classes start, the applicant should have all paperwork completed and accepted to the Institute 2 months prior to enrollment.
The Veteran is responsible to pay all tuition at the beginning of each quarter.
Benefits are paid directly to the Veteran, after the application and certification process is complete.
Veterans missing more than 20 hours class time within a month or exceed the absenteeism policy as described in the Commonwealth Institute catalog will forfeit their benefits according to the VA guidelines.
Veterans taking a Leave of Absence will forfeit their benefits during their leave and will be reinstated upon re-enrollment.
Veterans are required to meet satisfactory progress standards as prescribed in Commonwealth Institute’s catalog to ensure continued benefits. Failure to do so will also forfeit your benefits.
VA Rehabilitation
The applicant must meet the same enrollment requirements as the Veterans benefits.
The applicant must submit their voucher to the Registrar’s Office 30 days prior to enrollment.
Benefits are paid directly to Commonwealth institute.
Benefits may vary according to the VA guidelines.
Texas Rehabilitation Commission (TRC)
The applicant must be accepted to Commonwealth Institute 2 months prior to enrollment.
Applicant must meet the TRC requirements to be eligible for TRC benefits.
Applicant must have TRC voucher approved and presented to the Registrar’s Office 30 days prior to enrollment.
The maximum benefit is $3,000 from TRC.
Any class hours missed by the student will not be covered by TRC. To be eligible for TRC benefits the applicant must apply through the Department of Education using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for Pell Grants.
Tuition not covered be TRC or Pell Grants can be paid out of pocket, or if the student is enrolled in the AAS degree can obtain student loans to cover the additional tuition.
Certificate students are eligible for the $3,000 maximum benefit provided by TRC.
The student is required by TRC to submit a copy of their transcript and attendance to their TRC counselors.
Scholarships
R.E. Waltrip Memorial Scholarship
Dr. George Poston Memorial Scholarship
American Board of Funeral Service Scholarship
38 Florida Ave.
Portland, Maine 04103
Houston Funeral Directors and Morticians Association Scholarship
Houston Metropolitan Funeral Directors Association Scholarship
Southeast Texas Funeral Directors Scholarship
Rita Barber Scholarship
Trigard Vault Scholarship
College Work Study Program
Commonwealth Institute offers two work study positions. The first is the Embalming Lab Assistant and the second is the Librarian assistant position. See the Registrar for more details.
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A course in funeral home management and practice that reviews the aims and objectives of the funeral home practitioner. The student will learn the component parts and the construction of caskets and outer burial containers and how to professionally arrange the selection room and the methodology for pricing funeral service merchandise. Various experts from the funeral service profession provide special presentations and/or field trips that will incorporate the theoretical with practical aspects of funeral service merchandising. (44/0/0/4)
Mortuary Administration- MCSI 1314 4 quarter hours. Prerequisite: Operating a Business BUSI 1302
A course in funeral home management and practice. The student will learn contemporary code of ethics for funeral service, various facets of funeral service practice including: the steps from first call to final disposition, funeral records and forms, Social Security and Veteran benefits, professional relationships, establishing and maintaining funeral home facilities and equipment, and supervision and training personnel. The student will also learn the techniques in conducting the funeral arrangement through role-play exercises. (44/0/0/4)
Occupational Safety- MSCI 1115 2 quarter hours.
The student will learn workplace safety guidelines as related to funeral service personnel. This will include: Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines for Hazard Communication Standard, Formaldehyde Monitoring, Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, Infection Control and Preparation Room Requirements. (22/0/0/2)
Office Accounting- OFAD 1307 4 quarter hours.
This course is designed to develop an understanding of an accounting system. The student will learn how to analyze business transactions and how they relate to the accounting cycle, primarily a small service and merchandising business. The student will learn journalizing, posting, preparing a trial balance, completing financial reports and computing payroll and payroll taxes. (44/0/0/4)
Operating a Business- BUSI 1302 4 quarter hours.
The student will learn the practical considerations involved in starting and operating a business. Topics include analyzing potential market, acquiring financial backing, establishing record-keeping systems, making marketing and pricing decisions, managing financial and human resources, purchasing, controlling inventory, sales forecasting, meeting legal requirements, and using professional resources. (44/0/0/4)
SOCIAL SCIENCES
This series of courses is designed to: (1) develop an appreciation of funeral practices in terms of their origin and development as well as their present and future place in society; (2) develop an understanding and sensitivity of the needs of the bereaved at the time of death; and (3) to develop the proficiency to meet those needs in a professional and meaningful manner.
SOCIAL SCIENCE
Business Communications- BUSI 2304 4 quarter hours.
The student will learn the principles of effective written and oral business communications. Activities include writing business messages for a variety of business situations, writing both formal and informal business reports and presenting business data orally. (44/0/0/4)
Counseling/Dynamics of Grief- MSCI 1316 4 quarter hours.
The student will learn how grief affects the deceased family and the role of the funeral in grief resolution. Grief reactions, grief cycles, and the various stages of grief will be explored. The student will learn an understanding of the basic methods and procedures of grief counseling and the many elements that a funeral director brings into the counseling session. The student learns to recognize and understands his/her own personal resources for coping with loss situations. (44/0/0/4)
History of Funeral Service- MSCI 1317 4 quarter hours.
This course traces the development of funeral service from the ancient Egyptians to modern times. The students will learn the historical roots of modern practices. (44/0/0/4)
* See information on the National Museum of Funeral Service History page 38.
Sociology of Funeral Service- MSCI 1118 2 quarter hours.
A general survey of sociology, the orientation, definition, application and purpose of culture, mores, folkways, and the study of the family unit. The students will learn how each of these impact death rituals. (22/0/0/2)
LEGAL REGULATORY AND ETHICAL
Business Law – BUSI 2301 4 quarter hours.
A course in the principles of law which form the legal framework for business activities. The student will learn the legal framework for business activities that includes applicable statutes, torts, contracts, personal and real property, wills and trusts, and consumer law. (44/0/0/4)
Mortuary Law- MSCI 1219 3 quarter hours Prerequisite Business Law 2301
This course will provide the legal fundamentals that apply to funeral service. The students will learn the corporative state laws, rules, and regulations that pertain to funeral service; laws regarding the rights and duties and responsibilities of funeral service professional; and licensure requirements for funeral directors, embalmers and funeral establishments. (33/0/0/3)
GENERAL EDUCATION CORE
Biology 1-BIOL 1408 6 quarter hours. Prerequisite: none
A contemporary course in which the student will learn the applications of the scientific method, cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, classical and human genetics, and virology. (66/0/0/6)
Composition and Rhetoric 1-ENGL 1301 5 quarter hours. Prerequisite: none
This course provides students with the rhetorical foundations that prepares them for the demands of professional writing. The student will learn how to recognize and deploy the strategies and processes that translate into effective written products in a variety of contexts for a variety of purposes. (55/0/0/5)
General Psychology –PSYC 2301 5 quarter hours. Prerequisite: none
The student will learn the elementary principles of human behavior. (55/0/0/5)
College Algebra -MATH 1314 4 quarter hours Prerequisite: none
Topics include quadratics, polynomial and exponential functions, graphing, linear equations & inequalities, factoring techniques and algebraic fractions. (44/0/0/4)
United States History II –HIST 1302 4 quarter hours Prerequisite: none
A survey of U.S. history from the end of Reconstruction to the present. The student will learn how the United States emerged as a world power and the subsequent assumption of international responsibilities. (44/0/0/4)