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What You'll Be Doing

Gannon University believes the grieving process can be difficult for any person who has lost a loved one. If you are interested in serving as a funeral director or embalmer who will make this grieving process easier for those in need, Gannon’s mortuary science program can offer you the necessary skills. As a student in the mortuary science program, you will complete the first part of your education at Gannon and the last part at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science or another licensed institution. Upon graduation, you will be prepared for the licensing examination.

The number of openings for funeral directors and embalmers exceeds the number of graduates in the mortuary science field, providing a wealth of job opportunities. Mortuary science graduates can also obtain jobs in teaching, sales, business and research. Salaries for funeral directors depend on the number of years of experience, the number of services performed, the number of facilities operated, the area of the country, the size of the community and the formal education of the funeral director. According to the Occupation Report on America’s Career Infonet, earnings range from $22,140 for those with less than five years experience to $106,200 for an owner or manager who operates more than three facilities.

Will you help those in need?

The Gannon Advantage

• Students at Gannon enjoy internships, co-ops and study abroad opportunities. In addition everyone completes our "Liberal Studies Core" -- 39 credits that will help prepare you for life.
• Gannon's Career Development Services Office reports that 97% of Gannon's recent graduates are employed or are enrolled in graduate studies.
• On our urban campus, students can enjoy all the conveniences of city living while feeling at home in Gannon's caring community.
• An overall 13:1 student to faculty ratio ensures that students receive the genuine commitment and personal attention they are seeking.
• Gannon's Career Service Center helps students search for graduate school or job opportunities, develop interviewing skills and design a professional resume.
• Over 70 clubs and organizations as well as 18 NCAA Division II athletics provide students the chance to be involved.