The program is currently a synchronous format which means you will need to log in at a specific day and time for class via zoom. CCMS is transitioning in Fall 2026 toward an asynchronous format allowing students to complete their coursework throughout the week without a set time to log into class.

Our online program will be a full-time program taught by experts in the death care profession and will align with our seated, in-person program. 

Students entering into the distance education programs will gain hands-on clinical lab training through a local funeral home (preceptor funeral home) that meets all required approvals from CCMS. To learn more about the preceptor funeral home, please read below. 

Please note that online students will be required to meet in-person on campus for approximately 3-5 days to complete their final Restorative Arts, Dressing, Casketing, and Cosmetic Exit Evaluation and Clinical Mortuary Practice Final Embalming Exit Evaluation. Travel and accommodation costs are at the student's expense.

Students in our distance education programs will complete clinical lab courses through an approved preceptor funeral home near you. This allows remote students to complete the necessary clinical lab experience and requirements for graduation in an off-campus funeral home instructional site.

Students enrolled in Clinical Mortuary Practice (C.M.P.) courses may participate in: transfers, embalming, cosmetics, dressing and casketing, and other preparations of human remains for final disposition. The student, the funeral home, and the College enter a tri-party relationship in which each must accept responsibility for the student’s learning experience. The goal of this relationship is to provide students with an opportunity to participate in the actual practice of post-mortem preparation of human remains and to grow and develop skills being taught in Embalming Theory. 

Students are responsible to locate their preferred preceptor funeral home and notify the CCMS Remote Clinical Coordinator with the contact information to initiate the approval process. CCMS has created an interactive map of funeral homes that are interested in assisting students by being a preceptor funeral home and we will continually update as new funeral homes are added. This is a resource tool only and you are not required to use one of these locations.

More information about the clinical lab experience for online students and preceptors can be found by visiting the Remote Clinical Mortuary Practice Preceptor-Student Handbook.

Lab Schedule & Time Involvement: The C.M.P. program requires that the student be involved in adequate lab time to reinforce the practices being taught in Embalming Theory. To do this, the student is expected to be available for at least 3 hours per week between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. It is recommended that hours are tentatively agreed upon in advance but parties remain flexible and ready to make adjustments based on case availability.

The primary consideration is that the student be available during periods of embalming and decedent preparation activity. This is necessary for the student to become involved in all activities required for completion of the course, and students are expected to be flexible in their scheduling for this reason. Students who want to gain additional experience by working extra hours and/or being available for night embalming and transfers are encouraged to do with the permission and support of the preceptor. 

Time Logs: Students are required to record hours on a time sheet provided by the faculty coordinator. This log is to be signed by the mentor at the conclusion of the C.M.P. section. Students are required to complete at least 36 hours of logged time per C.M.P. It may be necessary to complete more time to meet the graduation case requirements. 

Students in our distance education program will work with an approved Preceptor Funeral Home near their geographic location. For more information on distance education lab scheduling requirements, please see the Remote Clinical Mortuary Practice Preceptor-Student Handbook.

The Identity Verification and Protocol Policy outlines the procedures for verifying student identity in online courses and assessments conducted through Populi (learning management system) and Proctorio (exam proctoring), ensuring compliance with academic integrity standards and data privacy regulations.

Please click HERE to view the full policy.

• CCMS is not currently certified to accept international students at this time.
• Qualified applicants must complete required qualified transfer credits as prescribed and seen in the transfer credit requirements.
• Qualified applicants must provide official evidence of completion of academic prerequisites.
• Additional documents may be requested per the Admission & Transfer Credit policy

Distance Education applicants will have the same admissions requirements as the seated, on-campus students. Before being admitted to CCMS, applicants must earn necessary transfer credits based upon the program you are interested in completing at CCMS:

• Bachelor of Mortuary Science (B.M.S.) requires a minimum of 60 semester credits.
• Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) requires a minimum of 30 semester credits. 

Transfer credits fall within specific areas of study and can be found on the Transfer Credit Worksheet and must: 

1. Be regionally accredited by another college or university, or
2. Be accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education accredited colleges, or
3. Be accredited coursework by the American Council on Education (ACE) 
4. Reflect a grade of “C” or better in all required transfer courses below
5. Reflect a cumulative 2.5 G.P.A. 

As part of the transfer credits, there are five courses that are mandatory with a grade of “C” or better in each, to be considered for admission into any CCMS academic program: 

1. Accounting 
2. Anatomy & Physiology (lab not required, but recommended)
3. Chemistry (lab not required, but recommended)
4. Psychology (Introduction or General)  
5. Communication Skills (Interpersonal or Basic) OR Public Speaking

https://www.ccms.edu/admissions/tuition-and-fees/

Are ready to apply? Take the next steps to be part of the CCMS family!

1. Take the Student Self-Assessment Quiz prior to completing your application.

2. Complete your application: Click HERE!

Please find answers to most of the commonly asked questions that prospective students have when researching online programs, please click HERE!