Policies

(3) Associate in Specialized Technology Degree (Funeral Service Arts and Sciences) requires a minimum of 30 semester (45 quarter) credits of previous college education (transfer credits) distributed in two general areas and consists of a minimum of 1096 contact hours (60 semester credits) on campus and online. Total credits (including the 30 transfer credits) required for the AST Degree is 90 semester credits.

The online program is two calendar years unless the applicant has mortuary credits or can show proficiency by testing out (see transfer of credit policy).

Note: General education credits are also available in some programs or may be accepted consistent with the PIMS Transfer of Credit Policy.

• T - Transfer Credit - Given when a comparable course has been successfully completed at another institution AND will be accepted by the Institute based on the stated Transfer Credit Policy listed in this bulletin.

TRANSFER CREDIT The Institute reserves the right to transfer credits from other accredited schools for both specific funeral service- related courses as accept or deny well as other courses listed in the core curriculum. Non-core courses typically are not transferred as students require these to meet certain educational outcomes. This transfer credit policy is designed to be in compliance with ABFSE Standard 9.2.4 regarding transfer credits and considers the following: • Certain courses, which include COM 100 and PSS/CRS 110 cannot be transferred from another accredited mortuary school. • For specific funeral related courses in the core curriculum, which include COM 110, CRM 110, EMB 131, EMB 132, EMB 133, ETH 110, FSL 110, FSM 121, FSM 122, MGT 121, PSY 122, RA 110, a course may be considered for transfer credit if it is: a) earned at an ABFSE accredited institution, b) meets or exceeds the same number of credits as the PIMS course, c) meets or exceeds, upon review, the same course content as presented in the PIMS course, d) is not needed to complete a pre-requisite for coordinated curriculum or other degree options, e) student earns a final letter grade of “B” or above. • For all other courses in the curriculum, a course may be considered for transfer credit if it is: a) earned at a regionally accredited institution, b) meets or exceeds the same number of credits as the PIMS course, c) meets or exceeds, upon review, the same course content as presented in the PIMS course, d) is not needed to complete a pre-requisite for coordinate curriculum or other degree options, e) student earns a final letter grade of “C” or above.

for comprehensive and national exam purposes In either case listed previously, if a course is accepted for transfer, the letter grade of “T” will be presented on the PIMS grade transcript for that course. Credit hours that are “transferred in” are counted as both attempted and completed hours. A copy of the Transfer of Credit Policy is available on the website at www.pims.edu. Students attempting to transfer credits earned at the Pittsburgh Institute to other schools need to follow the transfer credit policy of the receiving institution.

• The individual will be required to be prepared for the class so as to add to the discussion. CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING ABFSE Standard 9.2.5 outlines requirements for obtaining credit for prior learning experiences. The Pittsburgh Institute does not award credit for prior learning, which is not to be confused with Transfer credits.

Transfer of Credit Policies PIMS’ curriculum may appear to have similar to course titles to courses offered at other institutions, but there is an application and focus of material taught, in the courses offered at PIMS toward funeral service practice.