Mortuary Science open house set for Nov. 6

 Wayne State University’s popular Mortuary Science Open House will host an estimated 500-700 visitors from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 5439 Woodward Ave. (at Ferry St.) in Detroit. The annual event — which is free and open to the public — will feature tours of the four-story building, which houses the most advanced teaching and research resources in embalming, anatomy, restorative arts, clinical laboratory science and pathology assistant laboratories.


“Our open house provides an excellent opportunity for students who are evaluating their career options, or for others who may be considering a career change,” said Peter Frade, chair of the Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences in Wayne State’s Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. “The ‘learn and tour’ venue offers an introduction to the health sciences of mortuary science, clinical laboratory science, pathologists’ assistant and forensic investigation.” Wayne State’s mortuary science program began in 1939, and was one of the first such programs of its kind. Today, it is still the only accredited undergraduate degree program leading to state licensure in Michigan. In addition, it is one of the three programs in Carnegie Research Universities’ (very high research activity) core-based accredited programs in the nation.

“We are particularly proud of our graduates’ commitment and service to the state and region,” said Mark Evely, mortuary science program director. “Many of our graduates establish their careers In Michigan. In fact, most of the funeral home owners and funeral directors in Michigan earned their degrees from Wayne State’s mortuary science program. Our program and its graduates have established a rich heritage of high ethics, professionalism and service to their communities over these 75 years. The job outlook for graduates is positive as well. In the past year, we have had a graduate employment rate over 90 percent.” Another program offered in the mortuary science area is the pathologist’s assistant program — the only such program in Michigan and one of only nine across the country accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. A post-bachelor certificate in forensic investigation is also offered. The WSU program offers students internships at the Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties’ Medical Examiners’ Offices, with governmental affiliations with the Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Treasury Department.

Reservations to the Mortuary Science Open House are not required. Free parking will be available in Wayne State Lot #33, located on Woodward Avenue between Palmer and Ferry streets.-