Funeral Service Education program debuts at open house

More than 50 prospective students attended a reception Nov. 1 at the Whitehaven Center to learn about Southwest’s brand new Funeral Service Education Program that launches this January.

Southwest is not only making history as the first publically-funded college in Tennessee to offer a program that enables students to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Funeral Service Education degree, but also is fulfilling a much needed workforce development gap in Memphis and Shelby County.  “This program has been in the pipeline for two years and we are grateful for the support of our local funeral home directors who stepped up to help us fill this need in the community,” Southwest President Dr. Tracy D. Hall said to the capacity crowd at the Whitehaven Center. “We recently received unanimous approval from the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), our governing body, to make us their first college to offer this program,” she said.

The College expects The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC), Southwest’s accreditation body, to approve the program later this year.  “We are on the fast track to be approved,” Dr. Christopher Ezell, Southwest’s Vice President of Academic Affairs said. “We have submitted documents to SACSCOC and our next step is to pursue candidacy for accreditation by the American Board of Funeral Service Education and we recently had an excellent visit with their representative and should win their approval next year.” Ezell also remarked, to the delight of prospective students in attendance, that students who enroll in the January cohort could eventually be members of the program’s inaugural graduating class.

Ron Johnson, the program’s new chair, provided a brief overview of the 63-credit hour program.  “There are a number of classes you must take and I want to ensure each one of you that if you join this program and become a part of the Southwest family, you will be career ready,” he said. 

In addition to classes held at the Whitehaven Center, practicums will be organized at participating funeral homes in Memphis.  Southwest’s program will be convenient and affordable as Tennessee residents who qualify will be able to study tuition-free thanks to Tennessee Promise and Reconnect scholarships.

Dr. Wealthia Mitchell-Hinton led the program development and leads its accreditation efforts. She was pleased with the turnout.  “We have had an outstanding response, so far,” she said.  “The interest in this program is really high, which is evidence of how much it is needed.”

Thanks to the Taste at Macon Campus, the great success of the Open House for the Funeral Service Education Program was directly proportional to the wonderful presentation and the delicious taste of the food that was prepared.

Prospective students may apply online at www.southwest.tn.edu/ApplyOnline.htm or call (901) 333-5000 for more information.