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The Funeral Service Education degree program at Northampton Community College is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE). The program is designed to give students a broad understanding of the funeral home operation, funeral directing, public health, and embalming for their internships and careers in the field. It typically takes students six semesters to complete this associate degree. This degree can be completed at our Bethlehem location.

Funeral Service operates as a business, but also requires professionals in the field to exhibit sensitivity and compassion in dealing with bereaved families. Funeral home employees must be open-minded about the ways in which people of different faiths and cultures express their feelings and practice their beliefs. Acceptance into the program is competitive, and applicants must have completed the minimum admission requirements of high school biology and chemistry labs with a C or with an overall high school GPA of 2.5 or better.

State licensing

If you are a Northampton Community College student living outside of Pennsylvania or intending to complete an internship or clinical placement outside of the state in an NCC program leading to professional licensure, you should review the requirements on the state board website to make sure that the program qualifies.

Licensure requirements vary from state to state and you may require additional authorization from the professional licensing agency in that state. Participating in a program from outside of Pennsylvania, if not properly authorized by that state's professional licensing board, could result in loss of licensing eligibility. If you need help or have questions, please contact the Program Director for more information.

With an enduring commitment to the regional community it serves and a focus on student success, Northampton Community College has developed a reputation as an institution of extraordinary distinction, earning accolades at the state and national levels for innovative programs, outstanding faculty, and impressive student achievements.

It counts among its successful alumni a four-time Pulitzer Prize winner and an Academy Award-winning director as well as a host of CEOs, presidents, and leaders of business and industry. Today, Northampton Community College has locations in Bethlehem, Southside Bethlehem, and Monroe County, serving nearly 20,000 students each year from 53 counties, 48 countries, and 25 states.

Mission

Recognizing that students are the primary reason that Northampton Community College exists, we seek to provide excellent, accessible, and comprehensive learning experiences in partnership with the dynamic, diverse communities we serve.

Values

We believe that learning thrives when there is a sense of curiosity and excitement about the world in which we live. As such, we value:

Excellence Quality in the educational and training experiences that we provide, is based on our dedication to teaching and learning

Innovation Creative problem solving, responsiveness, entrepreneurship, and our ability to adapt quickly to a changing world

Sustainability Commitment to the long-term health of the institution, the community, the economy, and the environment

Accountability Institutional and individual responsibility for our actions, growth, and development

Integrity Academic and personal honesty, fairness, ethical conduct, and respect for others in our learning and working environments

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion An environment that fosters and values every person's contributions, celebrating the ways in which cultures, identities, and backgrounds enrich the college community and enhance our academic excellence.

Engagement Involvement in and collaboration with the college, local and global communities

Vision

As one of the leading community colleges in the nation, we will:

• Promote the highest level of student success in achieving academic, personal, and professional goals
• Provide state-of-the-art education and training in every community we serve
• Be the college of choice for innovative programming
• Encourage every member of our community to have a lifelong connection to the college
• Respect and affirm the dignity of all people

Why NCC?

NCC is one of the most affordable colleges in Pennsylvania. Students save more than $25,000 each year on tuition costs when compared to other area colleges and universities. The institution has evolved during the past 54 years into the region’s largest, most diverse college that is not only recognized within the state but around the country for the excellence of its programs and people. NCC prides itself on its expansive breadth of programs and commitment to student success and access. It offers a highly engaging, collaborative, and entrepreneurial environment to learn and develop. NCC continues to grow to meet the needs of the community. The addition of the Follett Family Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Fowler Family Southside Center has expanded NCC’s ability to provide excellent and accessible learning experiences to people in the community and ensures the college’s position as a workforce pipeline for the area industries for the near future.