FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2003
Contact: Michael Corby
904.632.3310

Florida Community College Funeral Service program attains accreditation
North Campus program given strong support by national accreditation agency

The Funeral Services program at Florida Community College has been accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) at their October meeting.

“We are extremely pleased to have gained full accreditation by the Funeral Service Board of Education so soon after beginning our program,” said Dr. Barbara Darby, North Campus president. “I’m sure the employers at whose call we created this program are pleased as well.”

The program received its first students in January 2002. Initial accreditation usually occurs after two years. Initial accreditation, once approved, is established for a three-year period.

“We might not have received accreditation for another six months, except that our program is so strong,” said Program Director Roy Weimert, also a veteran funeral director with nearly 40 years in the business. Previously, the nearest mortuary science programs were in Atlanta, St. Petersburg and Miami.

According to its Web site, the ABFSE is the national academic accreditation agency for college and university programs in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science Education. It is also the sole accrediting agency in this field recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

The College offers an Associate in Science degree and an Associate in Applied Science in Funeral Services. For more information call 904.646.2300.