Begin a meaningful career helping families honor life and legacy. The Funeral Service Education program at North Georgia Technical College prepares students for success in every aspect of the funeral service profession.
Through a blend of classroom instruction, hands-on training, and real-world experience, students develop the academic knowledge and technical skills needed for a rewarding career. Coursework includes business management, embalming and restorative arts, funeral directing, grief counseling, and industry laws and regulations.
Graduates are prepared to successfully complete all required board examinations and confidently enter the profession with the competence, compassion, and professionalism that families deserve. Our program is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of funeral service education, promoting integrity, dignity, and service to others.
Facing death can be difficult, but it is a natural part of life that everyone will encounter. Helping families navigate the loss of a loved one can be challenging, yet it is also one of the most meaningful and rewarding careers you can pursue.
The Funeral Service Education program at North Georgia Technical College is dedicated to preparing students for meaningful careers as respected professionals within the human services field. Graduates are trained to serve their communities with compassion, competence, and integrity, fostering strong relationships with bereaved families while adhering to all federal, state, and local regulations. Students also learn to uphold the highest standards of public health, safety, and welfare in the care of human remains.
The program’s objectives include:
Upon successful completion of all required board examinations and the state apprenticeship, graduates may become:
Funeral Director
Licensed Embalmer
Additional related opportunities include:
Medical college anatomy departments
Trade embalming facilities
Autopsy support services
Additional career options can be researched on the following site(s):
Admissions Policy – After the completion of all general core classes, COLL, ACCT, MKTG or ACCT, and SPCH, students are eligible to take Funeral Service Program courses.
Policy Regarding FSRV – FSRV Funeral Service Seminar is a capstone course designed as an in-depth review of the 13 subjects which are on the National Board Exam (NBE). Completion of the comprehensive National Board Practice Examination with a score of 90% or better is required to be released to sit for the National Board Examination.
The final approval to sit for the NBE will be given after successful evaluation of the student’s academic and clinical record by the Funeral Service Education Program Director.
CAUTION: This program is pursuing accreditation but is NOT accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE). Until accreditation is achieved, students graduating from this program are NOT eligible to take any licensing examination that requires graduation from an ABFSE-accredited program, including the National Board Examination.
National Board Examination
National Board Examination pass rates, graduation rates, and employment rates for this and other ABFSE accredited programs are available at www.abfse.org. To request a printed copy of this program’s rates, visit North Georgia Technical College, Rubye Franklin Building, Office 109A or contact the instructor below.
Licensure & Certification
To become licensed in the State of Georgia, a student must:
Upon completion of the Associates of Applied Science degree, applicants must pass a two-part exam with the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards and successfully pass state laws exam and complete the required 3,120 hours of service as an apprentice as specified in Rule 250-4-.02 and in O.C.G.A. Section 43-18-50.
Funeral Services Education empowers compassionate professionals to honor life, support grieving families, and uphold the highest standards of care. It’s a meaningful career path that blends science, service, and humanity to make a lasting difference in people’s lives.
