Mortuary Science.....................................................Bachelor of Science

MORTUARY SCIENCE

PARRIS J. BAKER, Ph.D., MSSA, Program Director Of all human experiences, none is more overwhelming in its implications than death. Presently, the number of openings for funeral directors, embalmers and other funeral personnel exceeds the number of graduates in the mortuary science field, thereby providing a wealth of employment opportunities. The study of death and how individuals and our larger society prepare for this life event is filled with questions that are rooted at the center of our human experience. This journey of professional and personal discovery is multidisciplinary. Gannon University’s mortuary science curriculum is taught by a variety of professors from biology, business, psychology, sociology, social work and health sciences. As a BS student in the Gannon University Mortuary Science Program you will receive excellent instruction, completing the first three years of your education at Gannon University and your fourth year at Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science or another licensed institution of your choice.

Vision Statement

Preparing funeral service practitioners who touch people; offering dignity to the deceased and consolation to the survivors.

Mission Statement

To produce compassionate and competent funeral service practitioners who respect diverse cultural practices related to illness, dying, death, and care of the deceased and who know and practice the laws and ethics of the mortuary science profession. The ultimate mission of the program is to produce leaders in the field of mortuary science across the United States and abroad.

Motto

Death does not end relationships.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

MORT 211: Introduction to Gerontology

An overview of the study of gerontology. Examines aging in America, stereotypes, theories on aging, adult development, work and living environments, and selected problems of the elderly. This course has a service-learning component. 3 credits, Fall

MORT 221: Human Behavior and the Social Environment I

This is the introductory course to understanding human behavior from a multidimensional, biopsychosocial approach. Here we focus on the social environment and apply theoretical frameworks in order to put human behavior into perspective. In this course, students begin to study the person from a biological perspective, looking at the major systems of the human body. We also examine the psychological and sociological theories and knowledge by looking at cognition, emotion, the self as well as stress and coping. This course examines the impact of culture, spirituality, the physical environment and social institutions in shaping human behavior. Finally, this course addresses different sized social systems from formal organizations, communities, groups and the family. Students begin to see how social systems promote or defer health and well being. 3 credits

MORT 316: Counseling Older Adults

This course will identify various areas impacting lives of the “young” old, “middle” old, and the “old” old. Misconceptions, stereotypes, and biases toward the aging process will be explored. The course focuses on assessment, counseling interventions, and techniques designed to enrich the world of the mature adult and their families. 3 credits

MORT 360: Interviewing Skills

This course introduces students to the basic interpersonal helping skills using a problem solving model. Students are expected to demonstrate understanding of the relationship of interpersonal skills to social work practice and to demonstrate initial mastery of the helping skills. 3 credits

MORT 390: Professional Lecture Series

Selected topics presented by professionals in the field. 3 credits

Mortuary Science Curriculum

(Numerals in front of courses indicate credits) FRESHMAN Fall 3 College Composition/LENG 111 4 Anat. & Phys. I & Lab/BIOL 108/109 3 Intro to Psyc/PSYC 111 3 Introduction to Philosophy/LPHI 131 3 Human Behavior/MORT 221 2 First-Year Seminar 18

SOPHOMORE Fall 3 The Bible: An Intro/LTHE 201 3 Foundations of Bus Ant/BCOR 105 3 Management Theory/BCOR 240 3 Philosophy II Series/LPHI 3 Intro to Gerontology/GERO 211 3 Global Language 18

JUNIOR Fall 3 Literature Series/LENG 3 Fine Art Series/LFIN 3 Interviewing Skills/SCWK 360 3 Mental Health of Elderly/GERO 336 3 Math

15 Spring 3 Crit Analysis & Comp/LENG 112 4 Anat. & Phys. II & Lab/BIOL 110/111 3 History Without Borders/LHST 111 3 Public Speaking/SPCH 111 3 Foundations of Theology/LTHE 101

16

Spring 3 Principles of Acct I/BCOR 214 3 Bus/Prof Comm/ENGL 212 3 Global Language 3 Managerial Acct/BCOR 202 3 LPHI 257 or any LTHE 300 course 1 Leadership Seminar 16

Spring 3 Death & Dying & Bereavement, Capstone/GERO 400 3 Adulthood & Aging/PSYC 314 3 Prof Lecture Series/MORT 390 3 Business Tech/CIS 150 3 Social Work Families or Groups/ SCWK 362

15

* Gannon will grant 30 credits for successful completion of technical studies in a licensed mortuary school. 98 credits – Gannon 30 credits – Mortuary School 128 credits – Total