The Associate Degree program in Funeral Service, consisting of 3 or 4 semesters of instruction, was developed in 1977. It offers balanced, comprehensive academic training for future funeral service practitioners, enabling them to meet the needs of a more demanding and better educated public. AAMI has been authorized by the New York State Board of Regents to award the degree of Associate in Occupational Studies (A.O.S.) and it is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education.

Funeral Service Education is not a static field. The past decade has witnessed the following: an increase in general education requirements; a minimum of an Associate Degree for licensure; and a broadening in the scope and content of the specialized education and training provided by the funeral service colleges.

Careful planning by the faculty provides a sound basic foundation for each course and integrates the various subjects into a unified program.

Individuals recognized as authorities in funeral service and its allied fields are invited to address the student body bringing a wealth of experiences to the classroom and presenting an expanded point of view to the students.

Prospective students should be prepared for a rigorous academic program in preparation for graduation and examination for professional licensure. Seriousness of purpose, combined with a committed application of each student's prior educational foundation is required for successful completion of AAMI's program.

Credits granted for the satisfactory completion of each course are semester credits. These are defined as one clock hour of lecture or one or more hours of laboratory per week for one semester. A clock hour consists of 50 minutes.

On campus classes are conducted five days per week between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:30 PM. Students who need a more flexible schedule should check out our online program.

The amount of time required to complete the degree requirements at AAMI depends upon the number of transfer credits completed by the student. Applicants with a minimum of 60 credits or higher, an Associate's degree or a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution will be granted advanced standing and will have satisfied their first semester general education core. All transfer students eligible for this waiver must still meet the Professional Ethics and History of Funeral Service core requirements.

(See Transfer Credit Policy for full explanation.) Typically, on-campus students complete the program in 3 semesters (12 months) with transfer credit and 4 semesters (16 months) without transfer credits. An online student can complete their degree (by taking a full credit load) in less than 2 years.