Section IV

Funeral Service

3.29.1 System Guidelines

None

3.29.2 College Guidelines

3.29.2.1 Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College

The Funeral Service provider works to promote, maintain, and improve the management of Funeral Service within society.

Progression in the Funeral Service program is contingent upon achievement of a grade of “C” or better in each course and maintenance of a 2.0 cumulative grade point average or better (on a 4.0 scale).

Technical Standards

In order to be considered for admission or to be retained in the program, all applicants should possess sufficient:

1. visual acuity, such as is needed to examine bodies for signs of death
2. auditory perception to receive and interpret verbal communication for individuals and groups;
3. gross and fine motor coordination to perform tasks such as embalming;
4. communication skills (speech, reading, writing,) to interact effectively with individuals and groups; and
5. intellectual and emotional functions to plan and implement funeral Services functions.

The program will, in compliance with KCTCS regulations and in the manner and to the extent permitted by law, endeavor to recruit students who add to the diversity of the student population in the Funeral Service Program.

Admission

Selection of students for the Funeral Service Program will be made by the President of the College or the President’s designee, after considering the recommendations of an Admissions Committee, which is to be appointed for this purpose. Membership on this committee shall be from the college as follows:

• Funeral Service Program Coordinator
• Technical Education Faculty Member
• General Education Faculty Members (one from Natural Sciences and Mathematics and one from Social Sciences)
• Admissions Officer

Terms for the technical faculty member and the two general education faculty members are to be two-year, staggered terms.

In order to be considered by the Admissions Committee for admission to the Funeral Service Program, each applicant must submit the following documentation by Nov 1 for the spring semester or April 1 for the fall semester in which the student is applying for admission:

1. application for admission to the college;
2. official high school transcript from a public high school, a certified nonpublic high school, a non-certified high school, a passing GED official score report or the student has completed a home school curriculum, subject both to the ability to benefit criteria for KCTCS financial aid purposes and to the KCTCS Assessment and Placement Policy.;
3. official transcripts of all postsecondary education;
4. ACT (or SAT) and/or, ASSET or COMPASS test results;
5. documentation that all General Education courses applicable to Funeral Service will be completed by the last day of the semester preceding admission;
6. documentation of attendance at a Funeral Service Program Pre-Admission Conference or an interview with the program coordinator or designee; and
7. completion of a selective admissions form.

Applications for admission to the Program may be accepted by the Admissions Committee later than the stated dates provided that:

1. positions are still unfilled and
2. all the required documentation has been submitted.

Preference

Preference will be given to applicants:

1. with an ACT composite score of 20 or above (or equivalent on the SAT, ASSET or COMPASS);
2. who have completed 24 or more college credit hours with a GPA of 3.5 or better (4.0 scale).

Readmission

1. A student who withdraws from or earns lower than a “C” in a Funeral Service Program core course will be dropped from the Program.
2. Application for readmission to the Funeral Service Program must be made by the established college program deadline.
3. Readmission to the Funeral Service Program will be dependent upon available resources.
4. In order to be considered for readmission by the Funeral Service Program Admissions Committee, the applicant must:
   1. submit a written request to the Program Coordinator presenting documentation to justify readmission; and
   2. meet current admission guidelines.

A student may be readmitted to the Funeral Service Program one time if a student furnishes sufficient evidence of remedial study, additional preparation, or resolution of factors contributing to unsuccessful course preparation. The student must repeat any course in the Funeral Services program in which a grade lower than “C” was earned. A student who withdraws or earns a grade lower than a ”C” in a core course after readmission will be automatically and permanently dismissed from the program.

If more than two years have elapsed since initial enrollment in the first Funeral Service course, an applicant must repeat all Funeral Service courses unless the student has demonstrated current competency by passing exams equivalent to comprehensive course final examinations (both written and practical skills) if applicable.

Transfer

1. Students wishing to transfer from an accredited Funeral Service program will be considered on an individual basis.
2. Admission will be dependent upon available resources.
3. Students must meet all program admission requirements set by the college.
4. No grade less than “C” in a course equivalent to a Funeral Service core course will be accepted for transfer.

Program Requirements

In order to protect the Funeral Service provider, external facilities used by our students require data related to the health status of students. Therefore, prior to the first day of classes the student must submit the following:

1. PPD skin test results for TB;
2. two MMR immunizations or verification of having had a prior case of measles as certified by a physician if born after 1956;
3. Hepatitis B vaccine series; and
4. two doses of Varivax or verification of a known case of chicken pox.

In addition, a student must submit to a criminal background check conducted by a provider approved by KCTCS. A failed background check, as determined by the Kentucky Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, or a refusal to submit to a background check will be just cause to remove a student from the program.