Accreditation & Approvals

Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service > Accreditation & Approvals

ACCREDITATION STATEMENTS

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.

Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service (CIFS) and the Funeral Service associate degree program offered by CIFS 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.

APPROVALS

Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service is approved by the Texas Veterans Commission under the provision of Title 38, U.S. Code for VA educational benefits to train veteran and other eligible persons for approved programs and courses required for those programs.

Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service is approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission Career Schools and Colleges.

Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service is licensed by the Texas Funeral Service Commission as a funeral establishment.

Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service is approved by the Texas State Anatomical Board to use human cadavers.

MEMBERSHIPS

Commonwealth Institute’s commitment to the community and the profession is illustrated by the following institutional or staff memberships:

  • 100 Black Women of Funeral Service
  • Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practitioners
  • Cremation Association of North America
  • Council for Higher Education Accreditation
  • Houston Metropolitan Funeral Directors Association
  • Houston Funeral Directors and Morticians Association
  • International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association
  • National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement
  • International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards
  • Library & Information Resources Network
  • National Associated Colleges of Mortuary Science
  • National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association
  • National Funeral Directors Association
  • Texas Funeral Directors Association
  • Texas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
  • Veterans Administration

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP

The name of the incorporated business as stated in its amended articles of incorporation is Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service.  Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service is a Texas non-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization which is governed and overseen by the Board of Regents and the President, as Chief Executive Officer.

PROGRAM INFORMATION – Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service
Year Total enrolled # of New Students # of Grads Timely Grad* Graduation Rate** Did not finish**** Overall % Employed Employed In Funeral Service
2023 423 299 142 141/142 82% 97 95% 70%
2022 399 277 138 134/138 87% 98 94% 69%
2021 349 211 162 161/162 81% 64 91% 66%

 

*Timely graduation = complete program in 1½ times designated program length.
**Graduation rate reflects cohort graduation rate (% of students from original cohort completing in the designated year)
***Left before completing the program; did not finish.

NATIONAL BOARD STATISTICS – Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service
Single Year School Pass Rate National Pass Rate Single Year School Pass Rate National Pass Rate
2023 Arts 75% 78% 2023 Sciences 70% 69%
2022 Arts 75% 69% 2022 Sciences 69% 64%
2021 Arts 59% 68% 2021 Sciences 43% 57%

National Board Examination pass rates, graduation rates, and employment rates for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at www.abfse.org in the Directory of Accredited Programs.

DISTANCE EDUCATION GRADUATE STATISTICS – Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service (most recent data available)
2021: DE Graduates NBE Arts pass rate NBE Sciences pass rate Graduation Rate Employed in Funeral Service
143 65% 42% 88% 69%