The Funeral Service Education (FSE) program at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, located in Kirkland, Washington, offers a Certificate of Completion, an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) Funeral Service Education.
The Certificate of Completion in Funeral Attendant prepares students for employment in funeral service as a funeral ambassador or funeral attendant. Students will develop the professional skills necessary to work in various areas of the funeral home that do not require state licensure. The FSE AAS degree prepares students to achieve entry-level proficiency as embalmers and funeral directors.
The BAS in Funeral Service Education will provide students applicable knowledge of issues and trends currently related to funeral service. The degree will have many opportunities for professional and personal growth, while empowering students to become innovative leaders in the funeral service industry. Funeral service professionals provide counsel, service, and emotional support for those who have experienced the death of a loved one. Students also learn how to manage a successful business in the high-tech global economy.
The AAS degree in Funeral Service Education is now offered online, as well as in-person on-campus in Kirkland, WA. This pilot program is offered to Washington State students only and space is limited. On campus labs are required in the last quarter of instruction for one week. View Admission Requirements for AAS program below for more details about our online program.
Graduates may find employment in: crematory and cemetery operations, funeral home management in family owned businesses and corporate business. It will also allow for employment in other Health Sciences professions that desire funeral industry experience.
Graduates of the Funeral Service Education program will demonstrate a factual, conceptual, and applied understanding of:
Our faculty believe that success in the program requires a commitment of time and energy to your studies. To help with this requirement, the college offers an advisor to assist with planning your path and career goals.
The central objective of the Funeral Service Education AAS degree at Lake Washington Institute of Technology is to educate students in every phase of funeral service so that program graduates are prepared for entry-level employment in funeral service.
In support of this objective the following are the Program Learning Outcomes:
See National Board Examination scores, graduation and employment rates.
At LWTech we welcome all students as an open enrollment college and we are committed to your inclusion at the college. The Funeral Service Education program of study leads to an industry or specific employers that may require a full or partial background check as well as a drug test before you start the job.
Advance your funeral service career with an applied baccalaureate degree. Students with a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Funeral Service Education have many opportunities for professional and personal growth. Students will gain applicable knowledge of the issues and trends currently related to funeral service. Coursework will empower LWTech students to become innovative leaders in the funeral service industry.
The Bachelor of Applied Science degree will be offered in a distant learning (online) format. Instruction will include management, leadership, professional communication, and much more.
Admission to the applied bachelor's degree is competitive. See the below requirements for admissions information and requirements.
Entry into the Funeral Service program, requires completion of LWTech's online application, as well as the application to the BAS in Funeral Service Education.
Applicants will be selected on competitive basis. The following requirements must be met before applying to the BAS in Funeral Service Program:
BAS in FSE Curriculum Information
February 13, 2023
Spring Quarter 2023
Spring Quarter 2023
$50 non-refundable
To apply for the BAS degree, you must create a Self Service Center account. You may preview the BAS application by downloading a PDF of the first page.
Entry into the Funeral Service Education AAS program requires completion of LWTech's online application.
High school completion or GED or satisfactory completion of nine semester based or 13.5 quarter based post-secondary credits, exclusive of developmental courses.
Funeral Service Education program admissions prerequisites are available in the College Catalog.
Starting this Fall 2022, the AAS degree in Funeral Service Education will be offered online, as well as in-person on-campus in Kirkland, WA. This pilot program will be offered to Washington State students only and space is limited. On campus labs will be required in the last quarter of instruction for one week.
If you are interested in this online track you must
Have your high school or previous college directly mail official transcripts to:*
Enrollment Services
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
11605 132nd Avenue NE
Kirkland, WA 98034
*To comply with the American Board of Funeral Service Education Standard 9.2.3.a Transcript of high school or college work, received directly from the institution from which the credits were received.
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.
Entry into the Funeral Service Education Certificate program requires completion of
LWTech's online application.
Additional Admission Considerations
Not Sure Where to Start?
Information sessions and individual advising is available and encouraged before applying to the program.
January 19, 2023
12 p.m.
February 13, 2023
5 p.m.
March 7, 2023
9 a.m.
April 6, 2023
12 p.m.
May 19, 2023
10 a.m.
June 6, 2023
5 p.m.
July 14, 2023
10 a.m.
August 18, 2023
12 p.m.
Virtual via Teams Meeting.
Not sure what program you want to apply to? Check out LWTech's general information sessions and weekly tours by going to LWTech.edu/Visit.
Get Started in Funeral Service Education Today!
The Associate of Applied Science in Funeral Service Education at Lake Washington Institute of Technology is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097 (816) 233-3747. Web: abfse.org
The certificate of completion is not accredited by the ABFSE. 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.
All FSE faculty are held to rigorous employment standards that include following both FSE professional ethics and State of WA requirements regardless of classroom modality.
Gifted body program accepts donations on the following dates:
For more information call (425) 739-8306
To be eligible for employment, graduates must also take and pass the National Board Examination.
To learn more about transferring to another college or university, please visit our Transferring from LWTech page.
LWTech has not made a determination that the Funeral Service Education curriculum meets educational requirements for licensure/certification outside of Washington State. We encourage students who plan to work out-of-state to check relevant local licensure/certification requirements.
Business Hours
Mon-Fri, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Campus Hours
Mon-Thurs, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday, Closed to the public
Sat-Sun, Closed