A Professional Tradition Since 1946
The mission of John A. Gupton College is to provide a basic liberal arts education as well as a professional curriculum in funeral arts and sciences. The course work leads to the Associates of Arts Degree, the Associate of Applied Science Degree or a Funeral Director Certificate. The liberal arts component is also designed to serve as the foundation for the pursuit of other degrees. Our curriculum is designed on the collegiate level, with the dual purpose of fulfilling the needs both of students who wish to eventually pursue other degrees and of those going directly into Funeral Service Careers.
John A Gupton College offers three programs of study: the Associate of Arts Degree in Funeral Service, the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Funeral Service and the Funeral Director Certificate.
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of John A. Gupton College is to provide a basic liberal arts education as well as a professional curriculum in funeral arts and sciences. The course of study leads to the Associate of Arts Degree, the Associate of Applied Science Degree or a Funeral Director Certificate. The liberal arts component is equally designed to serve as the foundation for the pursuit of other degrees.
Statement of Objectives
John A. Gupton College has adopted two (2) primary objectives in order to achieve the purpose of the institution. These objectives are:
1. John A. Gupton College is committed to providing basic liberal arts educational opportunities:
- by providing a curriculum consisting of general educational components
- by assisting students in the selection of an honorable profession
- by providing opportunities for students to strengthen their skills in communication, both in writing and speaking
- by familiarizing the student with significant accomplishments in the arts and sciences
- by providing an environment of cultural and social diversity
- by emphasizing the need for lifetime physical and psychological well-being
- by emphasizing logical thinking and fiscal responsibility
2. John A. Gupton College is committed to the development of funeral service professionals:
- by providing a curriculum in funeral service arts and sciences
- by providing first-hand clinical experiences in embalming and restorative art
- by placing the student in an off-campus practicum under the supervision of a preceptor
- by graduating students who are marketable in the funeral profession
- by preparing students to be able to perform satisfactorily on exams for professional licensure
Philosophy of Funeral Service Education
The central aim of John A. Gupton College is to have funeral service education personnel that are members of the human service profession, members of the community in which they serve, members that participate in the relationship between bereaved families and those engaged in the funeral service profession and knowledge of compliance and regulatory guidelines, as well as members that are sensitive to the responsibility for public health, safety, and welfare in caring for human remains.
Within this philosophy, Gupton College strives to achieve the following goals as expressed by the American Board of Funeral Service Education:
- Explain the importance of funeral service professionals in developing relationships with the families and communities they serve.
- Identify standards of ethical conduct in funeral service practice.
- Interpret how federal, state, and local laws apply to funeral service in order to ensure compliance.
- Apply the principles of public health and safety in the handling and preparation of human remains.
- Demonstrate technical skills in embalming and restorative art that are necessary for the preparation and handling of human remains.
- Demonstrate skills required for conducting arrangement conferences, visitations, services, and ceremonies.
- Describe the requirements and procedures for burial, cremation, and other accepted forms of the final disposition of human remains.
- Describe methods to address the grief-related needs of the bereaved.
- Explain management skills associated with operating a funeral establishment.
- Demonstrate verbal and written communication skills and research skills needed for funeral service practice.
It is the commitment to educating the whole person that identifies the Gupton College philosophy and the faithfulness of the College to the commitment which leads the graduate toward his or her career fulfillment.