About this Program
The thanatology certificate is one of the few and best in the United States. Coursework specifically prepares individuals to work with the terminally ill and the bereaved, as well as provide death education.
Program Overview
Tuition & Fees
Funding Opportunities
Download Thanatology Brochure
A Thoughtful Exploration of Life and Death
Hood’s unique interdisciplinary approach affords a combination of theory, research and practical skills that can be used in a broad range of occupations and organizations. Students examine the interplay among the physical, psychological, interpersonal and spiritual needs of the living and the dying across the lifespan.
Expansion and Enrichment
The certificate increases understanding and proficiency for those working in the funeral industry, hospice, hospitals, nursing homes and other health care environments. It appeals to graduate students embarking on new careers and to psychologists, social workers, counselors and teachers who want to expand into this area. Content conforms to Association for Death Education and Counseling benchmarks for certification, a credential that can further validate career professionalism and commitment.
Certificate
The 12-credit certificate program is for professionals in the thanatology field and those already licensed or certified in human service fields, as well as those looking for personal enrichment. Evening and weekend classes accommodate working professionals, while our fully online format offers convenience and flexibility.
View Hood Talks Trauma and Society webinar with Dr. Shaine.
Please note that graduate certificate programs are now eligible for loans.
Hood College participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
Degrees Offered
- Certificate
Related Graduate Programs
Are you ready to go further?
Program Requirements and Course Listings
Students applying to the certificate in thanatology program are required to:
- Submit the online application (no essay required).
- Request that a copy of the official electronic transcript be submitted from the institution where the highest degree was conferred.
Transfer credit policy for admitted students
Students may transfer a maximum of 6 graduate credits from an external, accredited institution, or another Hood graduate program prior to the first semester of study in the current program. Please review the full graduate transfer credit policy in the College catalog.
| COUN 521 | Grief, Mourning and Bereavement | 3.0 |
| COUN 523 | Principles of Thanatology | 3.0 |
| COUN 528 | Developmental Perspectives in Thanatology | 3.0 |
| COUN 529 | Historical and Multicultural Perspectives in Thanatology | 3.0 |
Successful completion of the certificate requires a minimum GPA of 3.0.
The certificate in thanatology program is designed to conform to the education requirements of the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) for those persons interested in becoming certified as thanatologists.
12 Months
Average Completion Time
12 Total Credits
Program Contact
Program Director
Phone
301-696-3760
Email
Director of Graduate Admission
Phone
Office: 301-696-3603
Email
Andrew Campbell
- Associate Professor of Counseling
- Core Faculty, Master's in Counseling (Clinical and School)
Shannon Kundey
- Professor of Psychology, Department Chair
- Co-Director, Hood Honors Program
Brenda Schildknecht-Hargett
- Lecturer of Thanatology
Graduate Faculty Focus | Jen Hartman
"My experiences researching grief and loss, working with individual clients and facilitating grief counseling groups through a nonprofit grief center during Covid increased my desire to get involved with grief education."
Meet Alumnus Keith Midberry | Thanatology M.A.'16
"My thanatology degree coupled with my military background prepared me well to hit the ground running in my position as the first Veteran Liaison for Frederick Health Hospice"
From Thanatology to Counseling and Beyond
Elsie Weinstein earned her thanatology degree from Hood and came back a few years later for her counseling degree.