It’s no secret that accreditation is important when selecting a college or university, but this is especially true for funeral service professionals. Your career trajectory and licensing qualifications often depend on a mortuary science school’s accreditation.

Below, we’ll unpack why accreditation is top of the list when choosing a mortuary science school, and how online programs stack up in this regard, so you can be fully equipped to find the right accredited Mortuary Science program for your education.

Why is attending an accredited mortuary school so important?

The matter of death is delicate, sacred, and a bit dangerous; this is not an area of study you can afford to cut corners in. Searching out accredited mortuary science schools is the first of a few critical checkboxes you want to tick before deciding where you’ll get your degree.

As with any health-related program, if you’re studying to be a professional who interacts with other human bodies, you want to be particularly careful about where you train, since your safety and others’ are on the line. Accredited mortuary science schools are held to consistent standards of safety, ethics, and curriculum, ensuring that students are properly trained in handling remains, sanitation procedures, and regulatory compliance.

Professionally, you’ll also be interacting with grieving families and leading them through a difficult time alongside the labyrinth of bureaucratic paperwork and safety regulations that accompany facilitating the final rest of their loved one. You need to know what you’re doing with confidence, having trained at an accredited mortuary science school that prepares you for both the technical and emotional demands of the profession.

Choosing between accredited mortuary science schools online and traditional campus programs may also come down to flexibility, but regardless of format, accreditation should always be non-negotiable.

How important is an accredited mortuary science school in the licensing and job application process?

Besides wanting to perform job duties with confidence and alacrity, your job opportunities are basically non-existent if you don’t attend an accredited mortuary science school. Simply put, accreditation is not just important — it is essential.

Mortuary science school accreditation acts as the mandatory gateway into the funeral profession. State licensing boards strictly require graduation from an ABFSE-accredited program to take the National Board Exam (NBE) and obtain your professional license, which makes it an absolute prerequisite for employment.

Without graduating from one of the accredited mortuary science schools recognized by the appropriate accrediting body, you cannot move forward in the licensing process, which applies whether you attend in person or enroll in accredited online mortuary science programs.

So, like it or not, if you’re considering non-accredited mortuary science programs, you’re significantly hamstringing your future while wasting time and resources along the way. Employers in the funeral service field expect candidates to come from accredited mortuary science schools and, due to licensing requirements, can’t consider applicants who do not meet this requirement.

Explore the accredited online Mortuary Science program at Goodwin University

What types of accreditation to look for in mortuary science schools

Truthfully, not all accreditation is created equal. There’s one accreditation to rule them all, so to speak. Look exclusively for accredited mortuary science programs with the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE).

The ABFSE, the national education accreditation agency for all Funeral Service and Mortuary Science programs, is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). This recognition ensures that accredited mortuary science programs meet rigorous academic and professional standards.

Further, you’re not eligible for licensure in your state without a diploma from a school with this type of accreditation. That means whether you pursue your degree through an on-campus program or one of the many accredited mortuary science schools online, ABFSE accreditation is the key that unlocks your career path.

“Why?” you may ask. Well, as mentioned, interacting with corpses is a highly controlled area of healthcare, where safety is paramount. Accreditation is an external review of excellence designed to assess colleges, universities, and educational programs for quality assurance and improvement. Institutions apply for accreditation to demonstrate educational value, maintain credibility, and remain eligible for federal funding and student financial aid.

About Goodwin’s accredited Mortuary Science program

If you’re on the East Coast in the U.S., Goodwin’s Mortuary Science program stands head and shoulders above the rest. Not to mention, we’re the only accredited mortuary science program in Connecticut, giving us a unique position among accredited mortuary science schools in the region.

If you’re looking to study in person, a visit to the stunning Goodwin campus — nestled on the banks of the Connecticut River and only a few minutes from Hartford’s international airport — should make your list of must-explore options. Students benefit from hands-on learning opportunities, experienced faculty, and facilities designed specifically for funeral service education.

Studying from somewhere else? Turns out, there are accredited online Mortuary Science programs available as well. These programs offer flexibility for students balancing work, family, or other responsibilities, without sacrificing the quality of education.

Don’t worry, there are still in-person requirements, such as weekend intensives or lab-based instruction, so you can gain practical experience where it counts. However, much of your coursework can be completed remotely, making accredited mortuary science schools online an appealing option for many aspiring funeral service professionals.

This blend of flexibility and rigor allows students to pursue their education from anywhere while still meeting the standards required of accredited mortuary science schools. Whether you prefer a traditional campus setting or the convenience of online learning, Goodwin provides pathways that align with your goals.

Learn more about the accredited Mortuary Science school at Goodwin University today.