Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service is a vocational, postsecondary teaching institution with its primary purpose being to educate individuals interested in the subjects comprising the curriculum for licensure and a career in funeral service.
The Institute offers two programs – an Associate of Applied Science Degree and a Certificate in Funeral Directing. We have been providing education for funeral service professionals – as funeral directors, embalmers or both – since 1936. The funeral services profession is our sole mission.
Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service is recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as an Institution of Higher Learning and is authorized to offer instruction leading to the Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.).
Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service is recognized by the Texas Workforce Commission to offer instruction leading to the Certificate in Funeral Directing.
The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Funeral Service and Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service are accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097 (816) 233-3747. Web: www.abfse.org
The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Funeral Service is issued to students who complete the college level curriculum of funeral service arts and sciences. This degree is designed to lead students to licensure and employment as a funeral director and embalmer. The A.A.S. Degree in Funeral Service program and Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service are accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097 (816) 233-3747. Website: www.abfse.org
A student may elect to complete the Associate of Applied Science degree via online instruction. Courses taken through this option follow the same academic term and length, rigorous academic coursework, and admission requirements as those on campus. The online course instructional delivery will follow the on-campus classroom instruction so that all students, regardless of modality, are learning the same information at the same time.
This program is NOT delivered in a self-paced or correspondence method approach. In general, online course topics/lessons are presented on a weekly basis. All online courses will have at least one weekly assignment to assess the material presented that week.
The Certificate in Funeral Directing is issued to students who complete the college level curriculum of funeral service arts. It is designed to teach students the skills and abilities essential for employment as a funeral director. It is the students’ responsibility to verify that the Certificate program is recognized in the state for which they are seeking licensure. This academic program is designed to meet specific state or professional needs. It is not accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Students graduating from this program are not eligible to take the National Board Examination or any state board examination for which graduation from an ABFSE accredited program is required.
