Welcome | Graduate Admissions | Graduate Programs | Current Students | Events | FAQs | Contact Us | Apply Now
Register for a Graduate School event.

Thanatology (M.A.)

Program

"A quality education is crucial for any career change, especially when the goal is the ever-expanding field of death and dying. I found my quality education, and more, in Hood's M.A. in Thanatology curriculum, which features top-notch instruction from professors who are practitioners, researchers, and leaders in the field. Regardless of what I eventually do, whether counseling, teaching, researching, or the like, I will do so with a professional self-assuredness provided by Hood College."
Norval G. Kennedy, M.A. in Thanatology
May 2004
Hood's Master of Arts in Thanatology program is one of the few in the United States specifically designed to prepare people to work with the terminally ill and the bereaved, as well as persons prepared to provide death education at all levels in a variety of organizations. Both the M.A. and certificate program in thanatology are designed to conform with the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) Certification requirements for those persons interested in becoming certified as death educators, grief counselors, or grief therapists.

Our Thanatology program is attractive to those working in hospice programs, hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities. The program is also appropriate for new graduate students who are embarking on career paths, as well as for social workers, psychologists, counselors, teachers, and others who wish to expand their work into this growing area of expertise.

Program Requirements

The Master of Arts in Thanatology requires 39 graduate credits. Exemption may be granted for specific courses based on previous work. However, substitutions of electives would be required to make a minimum degree requirement of 33 credits. Admission to the program includes a required written statement of goals and two letters of reference, as well as an interview, either in person or by telephone.
more...

Thanatology Faculty

The core courses in the Thanatology programs are taught by professionals who are nationally recognized certified death educators and certified grief therapists. Dr. Dana Cable and Dr. Terry Martin have collaborated on presenting their work at conferences and seminars throughout Europe and North America.
more...

Learn more about Hood's Summer Institute in Thanatology.