An overview of School of Mortuary Science of Changsha Social Work College, China

Founded in 1995, School of Mortuary Science of Changsha Social Work College is the pioneer of Mortuary Science education in China. It’s Modern Mortuary Science Management Program is a top-tier program in Hunan Province and a key national model program. In 2019, this program was selected as a core program within the “Plan for the Construction of High-Level Vocational Colleges and Majors with Chinese Characteristics”. The School has taken the lead in establishing the Modern Mortuary Science Vocational Education Group, National Smart Mortuary Science Industry-Education Integration Consortium, and the International Research Center for Dignified Treatment of the Deceased. The School currently employs 52 faculty and staff, including 4 professors, 14 associate professors, and 6 individuals holding doctoral degrees. After three decades of development, the School has evolved into a prominent mortuary science professional talent training base with a strong faculty, comprehensive program offerings, and outstanding educational achievements.

The School offers three programs: Modern Mortuary Science Management (including Funeral Services and Mortuary Science program), Modern Cremation Equipment Technology and Cemetery Management. It currently has over 1,000 full-time students enrolled. In 2018, the School admitted its first cohort of full-time international students. The School provides students with 10 on-campus training facilities, including the Funeral Digital Museum, Life Experience Center, Digital Memorial Hall, Modern Funeral Service Development Center, Funeral home & Cemetery Design Center, Comprehensive Mortuary Science Product & Equipment Training Center, Cremation Machine Dismantling/Assembly Workshop, Cadaver Sculpting Workshop, Embalming Workshop, and Farewell Memorial Hall. Additionally, it offers access to more than 70 off-campus internship bases. The quality of student training has earned high recognition within mortuary science industry. Enterprises from Hong Kong, Macau, and Malaysia have recruited graduates from the School.

The School adheres to an open approach to education. In 2014, it co-founded the Asian Mortuary Science Education Alliance with institutions from Japan, South Korea and Malaysia. Faculty members have participated in exchange programs and studies in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan and South Korea. International authorities renowned in the mortuary science field, including Ms. Teresa(the former President of the International Funeral Association), Ms. Christine Pepper(CEO of the National Funeral Directors Association (USA)), and Mr. Fujishima(Director of the Japan Institute of Ceremonies), have visited the School for academic exchanges and have spoken highly of its achievements.