American Board of Funeral Service Education, Committee on Accreditation ABFSE

Overview

The American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) is the national accrediting agency for funeral service and mortuary science programs in the United States. Established in 1946 and incorporated in 1962, ABFSE's Committee on Accreditation (COA) is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The COA accredits associate and bachelor's degree programs in funeral service education, ensuring they meet rigorous standards that prepare students for professional practice in the field.

History and Legal Framework

ABFSE's origins trace back to 1946 when the Joint Committee on Mortuary Education was formed by joint resolutions of the National Funeral Directors Association and the National Association of Colleges of Mortuary Science. In 1962, the organization became an autonomous entity, the American Board of Funeral Service Education. The COA operates under the legal framework established by ABFSE and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA, ensuring its accreditation processes align with federal standards.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

The mission of ABFSE is to advance funeral service education and practice through high standards that prepare students for careers in the profession. The COA's objectives include:

• Developing and maintaining accreditation standards that reflect the evolving needs of the funeral service profession.
• Evaluating programs against these standards to ensure quality education and training.
• Providing resources and support to accredited programs to foster continuous improvement.
• Advocating for the value of accredited funeral service education in the broader higher education community.

Governance, Structure and Independence

The COA functions as a standing committee within ABFSE, operating autonomously to maintain impartiality in its accreditation decisions. It is composed of professionals with expertise in funeral service education and practice. The committee meets biannually, in April and October, to review accreditation applications and make decisions based on comprehensive evaluations of programs. The COA's independence ensures that accreditation decisions are made solely based on adherence to established standards, without external influence.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

ABFSE's COA plays a critical role in assuring the quality of funeral service education. Accreditation is granted to programs that demonstrate compliance with established standards, which encompass areas such as curriculum, faculty qualifications, facilities, student services and program outcomes. The COA's accreditation process involves a thorough review, including self-study reports, site visits and ongoing monitoring to ensure programs maintain high educational standards. This process helps ensure that graduates are well-prepared for careers in funeral service and related fields.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

While ABFSE's primary focus is on accrediting programs within the United States, it recognizes the importance of international cooperation in the field of funeral service education. The organization engages with international counterparts to share best practices and stay informed about global trends in funeral service education. However, specific international partnerships and network memberships are not detailed in publicly available resources.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

ABFSE's accreditation process has a significant impact on higher education by setting and maintaining high standards for funeral service programs. Accredited programs are more likely to attract students and faculty, secure funding and establish partnerships with funeral service providers and other organizations. Looking forward, ABFSE aims to continue enhancing the quality of funeral service education by updating standards to reflect advancements in the field and by expanding its reach to include more programs and institutions. This ongoing commitment to quality assurance contributes to the professionalization and advancement of the funeral service profession.

Summary

The American Board of Funeral Service Education's Committee on Accreditation is a vital entity in the landscape of U.S. higher education. Through its rigorous accreditation process, the COA ensures that funeral service education programs meet high standards, preparing students for successful careers in the profession. The COA's role is crucial in shaping the future of funeral service education and practice, contributing to the overall quality and professionalism of the field.

FAQs

• What is ABFSE? ABFSE is the American Board of Funeral Service Education, the national accrediting agency for funeral service and mortuary science programs in the United States.
• When was ABFSE established? ABFSE was established in 1946 and incorporated in 1962.
• What programs does ABFSE accredit? ABFSE accredits associate and bachelor's degree programs in funeral service education.
• Is ABFSE recognized by the U.S. Department of Education? Yes, ABFSE's Committee on Accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
• How often does the Committee on Accreditation meet? The Committee on Accreditation meets biannually, in April and October.
• Can programs outside the United States be accredited by ABFSE? ABFSE primarily accredits programs within the United States; international accreditation is not specified in publicly available resources.

Organization Name

American Board of Funeral Service Education, Committee on Accreditation

Acronym

ABFSE

Year of Establishment

1/01/1946

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA); U.S. Department of Education

Affiliations or Memberships

Association for Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA)

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

56

Address

992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108
Woodbury Heights
08097 New Jersey United States

Phone

+1 (816) 233 3747

Fax

+1 (856) 579 7354

List of universities offering programs accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, Committee on Accreditation (ABFSE):

ALABAMA
Jefferson State Community College - Funeral Service Education Program
ARIZONA
Chandler-Gilbert Community College – Mortuary Science Program
ARKANSAS
University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana
Arkansas State University – Mountain Home Funeral Science Program
CALIFORNIA
American River College – Funeral Service Education
Cypress College – Mortuary Science Department
COLORADO
Arapahoe Community College – Mortuary Science Program
CONNECTICUT
Goodwin University – Funeral Service Program
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
University of District of Columbia Community College – Mortuary Science Program
FLORIDA
Florida State College at Jacksonville – Funeral Service Program
Miami Dade College – Funeral Service Education Program
St Petersburg College – Funeral Services Program
GEORGIA
Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service
Columbus Technical College
Ogeechee Technical College – Funeral Service Education
ILLINOIS
Carl Sandburg College – Mortuary Science Program
Malcom X College – Mortuary Science Program
Southern Illinois University – Mortuary Science and Funeral Service
Worsham College of Mortuary Science
INDIANA
Ivy Tech Community College-Central Indiana – Mortuary Science Program
Mid-America College of Funeral Service
Vincennes University – Funeral Service Education Program
IOWA
Des Moines Area Community College-Mortuary Science Program
KANSAS
Kansas City Kansas Community College-Mortuary Science Department
LOUISIANA
Delgado Community College-Funeral Service Education
MARYLAND
Community College of Baltimore County-Catonsville – Mortuary Science Program
MASSACHUSETTS
FINE Mortuary College-Funeral Service
Cape Cod Community College-Funeral Service Program
North Shore Community College-Funeral Service Program
MICHIGAN
Wayne State University-Mortuary Science Program
MINNESOTA
University of Minnesota-Program of Mortuary Science
MISSISSIPPI
East Mississippi Community College-Funeral Service Technology
Northwest Mississippi Community College-Funeral Service Technology Program
MISSOURI
St Louis Community College at Forest Park-Funeral Service Education
NEW JERSEY
Eastwick College-Funeral Service Program
Mercer County Community College-Funeral Service Curriculum
NEW YORK
American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service Education
Hudson Valley Community College-Mortuary Science Department
Nassau Community College-Mortuary Science Department
State University of New York at Canton-Funeral Services Administration Program
NORTH CAROLINA
Fayetteville Technical Community College-Funeral Service Education
OHIO
Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science
OKLAHOMA
University of Central Oklahoma-Funeral Service
OREGON
Mt Hood Community College-Funeral Service Education
PENNSYLVANIA
Northampton Community College-Funeral Service Education
Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science
SOUTH CAROLINA
Piedmont Technical College-Funeral Service Education
TENNESSEE
John A Gupton College-Funeral Service Programs
Southwest Tennessee Community College -Funeral Service Program
TEXAS
Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service
Dallas Institute of Funeral Service
Northeast Texas Community College-Funeral Service Education
San Antonio College-Mortuary Science Department
UTAH
Salt Lake Community College-Mortuary Science Program
VIRGINIA
John Tyler Community College-Funeral Services Program
Tidewater Community College-Funeral Service Program
WASHINGTON
Lake Washington Institute of Technology-Funeral Service Education
WISCONSIN
Milwaukee Area Technical College-West Campus- Funeral Service Program

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