Holmes Community College
Dear Prospective Student:
Thank you for inquiring about our Mortuary Science Degree Program at Holmes Community College, which is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 106 Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097. www.abfse.org. Mortuary Science classes are taught at the HCC Ridgeland campus in Ridgeland, Mississippi, and offers complete professional instruction in all areas of funeral service.
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, go to the Mortuary Science Office MH204C HCC Ridgeland Campus, Ridgeland, MS or contact Dr. Thomas Garrett, Program Director, at 601-605-3327 or by e-mail to [email protected].
Enrollment is limited and subject to specific program admission requirements. Details of these requirements are enclosed. If additional information is needed, please contact us at 601-605-3327.
Your interest in our Mortuary Science Program is appreciated. We anticipate our best year and sincerely hope that you are part of it. You may begin classes in the fall or spring semester.
Sincerely,
Dr. Thomas Garrett Program Director Mortuary Science HCC Ridgeland Campus
Enclosures: Program Data Application for Admission ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
As applications and supporting documents are submitted, an applicant review will be conducted by department faculty. Applicants meeting ALL of the MINIMUM requirements may be selected into the new class. Each class has a limited enrollment, and selection is made on a competitive basis. A minimum grade of 2.0 is required at the end of each semester to remain in the program.
**ADMISSION TO THE COLLEGE DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMISSION INTO THE MORTUARY SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAM. YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED BY THE MORTUARY SCIENCE DEPARTMENT ABOUT YOUR ACCEPTANCE INTO THE PROGRAM.**
A. The Admission requirements below must be met before a student is considered for selection:
1. The applicant must have a high school diploma or a GED certificate and provide official transcripts from all schools/colleges previously attended. 2. The applicant must be accepted to Holmes Community College. 3. The applicant must: a. have an ACT English sub-score for English Composition I or b. have an English placement score for English Composition I or c. be currently taking English Composition I or d. have completed English Composition I AND e. have an ACT Math sub-score for Intermediate Algebra or f. have a Math placement score for Intermediate Algebra or g. be currently taking Intermediate Algebra or h. have completed Intermediate Algebra.
4. Although college credit is not required for application to the program, applicants with any college credit must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to be considered for selection.
B. Additional Admission Requirements:
1. Submit necessary documentation - official high school transcripts or GED scores and official transcripts from all regionally-accredited colleges attended - to the following address: Office of Admissions, Holmes Community College, P.O. Box 398, Goodman, MS 39079. If you have questions about the application process, please contact Reagan Dilmore at [email protected] or 601-605-3345.
2. Students that have been out of the Program for two consecutive semesters (Fall, Spring) or more must repeat all Mortuary Science courses that have a prefix of FST.
3. Transfer students will be accepted on a case by case basis.
Check List
Have you sent the following to the Office of Admissions? 1. Completed applications for admission. (2) 2. High School, College, and/or Military Transcript or GED scores. 3. Official Copy of ACT scores.
Housing
Dormitories are available on the Goodman Campus which is within commuting distance from the Holmes Community College Ridgeland campus. Other housing must be arranged by the student.
Costs*
In-state full time $1,370.00 per semester 4 semesters required
In-state part time $110 per hour plus fees of $17 per hour
Out-of-state full time $2,660.00 per semester 4 semesters required
Out-of-state part time $220 per hour plus fees of $17 per hour 4 semesters required
Additional Costs
Textbooks (estimated at $300.00 to $600.00 per semester) Miscellaneous: Restorative Art Supplies, Club Dues, MATS Software, National Board Examination Fees
*The college reserves the right to increase fees and expenses without prior notification.*
Financial Assistance
1. Any student who needs financial assistance is encouraged to complete financial aid forms (Pell Grants, Student Loans).
2. Students may contact their State Funeral Director’s Association on the availability of other scholarships.
3. Scholarships are given to students who meet certain criteria based on academic merit and/or athletic and performance talent. Specific eligibility requirements may be found in the college catalog. APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION MORTUARY SCIENCE
Date
Student ID No.
ACT Composite Score: Date of Birth:
Name Last First Middle Maiden
Address
Home phone Work phone
E-mail Address: Cell phone
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? No Yes* (See Disclaimer)
Have you attended any other Mortuary Science Program? Yes No
If yes, where?
Reason(s) for transfer?
Do you have any relatives in funeral service? Yes No
What is their relationship?
Have you had any work experience in funeral service? Yes No
If yes, list name(s) and address(es) of employer(s):
Job Description
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
College(s):
Name City Course of Study or Degree Obtained
On a separate sheet of paper, explain why you would like to pursue Funeral Service as a career and what qualities you have that would make you a good candidate for our program.
I have researched the funeral service profession by talking to owners, managers, employees, and others in the business. I have a clear understanding of the requirements for achieving the objectives of becoming a licensed funeral director/embalmer. I will put forth my best effort to achieve these objectives.
Name of Firm Name of Firm
Address of Firm Address of Firm
City/State City/State
Signature: Owner/Manager Signature: Owner/Manager
Which class do you plan to attend? Fall Spring (Fall applications are due by May 15. Spring applications are due by November 15.)
Signature of Applicant Date
Please send this application to: Reagan Dilmore Mortuary Science Program HCC Ridgeland Campus 412 West Ridgeland Avenue Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157 (601) 605-3345 E-Mail: [email protected] The Mortuary Science Degree Program at Holmes Community College is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108 Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097 (www.abfse.org)
Upon completion of the program, the student is qualified to write the National Board Examination (NBE) for license requirements. The National Board Examination (NBE), required for graduation from Holmes Community College Mortuary Science Program, is a component of licensure in most states. You must check with your state for specific requirements.
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, go to the Mortuary Science Office MH204C HCC Ridgeland Campus, Ridgeland, MS or contact Dr. Thomas Garrett, Program Director, at 601-605-3327 or by e-mail to [email protected].
The program at the Ridgeland campus is designed to prepare students for immediate employment as funeral directors and embalmers. Recognizing the importance of the care of the bereaved, the department has designed a curriculum not only to educate the student in the care of the deceased, but also in the care of the living. To meet this need, classes are offered in funeral directing, funeral home management, sociology, grief, and death related psychology.
The specific aims:
As a program in funeral service education our central aim is to recognize the importance of funeral service education personnel as:
members of a human service profession; member of the community in which they serve; participants in the relationship between bereaved families and those engaged in the funeral service profession; professionals knowledgeable of and compliant with federal, state, provincial/territorial, and local regulatory guidelines in the geographic area where they practice as well as; professionals sensitive to the responsibility for public health, safety, and welfare in caring for human remains. The specific objectives are:
The Mortuary Science Degree program at Holmes Community College have the following objectives:
to enlarge the background and knowledge of students about the funeral service profession; to educate students in every phase of funeral service and to help enable them to develop proficiency and skills necessary for the profession, to educate students concerning the responsibilities of the funeral service profession to the community at large; The specific objectives continued:
to emphasize high standards of ethical conduct; to provide a curriculum at the post-secondary level of instruction; to encourage student and faculty research in the field of funeral service.
DISCLAIMERS:
1. This program will develop in students an understanding of the responsibility of the funeral service profession to the community, and within that context an understanding of their personal role as a member of a human service profession and their local community. We will provide you with the qualifications needed to seek employment, but we cannot guarantee you that one will be available locally upon graduation.
2. *We would like to bring to your attention that most State Boards can refuse to grant anyone with a felony conviction a license in that state. It states that the Board may refuse to examine or to issue or renew, or may suspend or revoke, any license, with the conviction of a felony by any court in this state or any federal court or by the court of any other state or territory of the United States. It is your responsibility to be aware of licensing requirements in the state you plan to practice.*
My signature verifies that I have read the Disclaimers and fully understand their meaning.
Signature Date
Please return the Mortuary Science Application and this Disclaimer form to Reagan Dilmore, Holmes Community College, Mortuary Science Application, 412 West Ridgeland Ave., Ridgeland, MS 39157.