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.
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.
Commonwealth Institute’s commitment to the community and the profession is illustrated by the following institutional or staff memberships:
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.
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.
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.
2021: DE Graduates | NBE Arts pass rate | NBE Sciences pass rate | Graduation Rate | Employed in Funeral Service |
143 | 65% | 42% | 88% | 69% |