Thanatology (Certificate)

Prospective students must:

• Submit the online application (no essay required).

• Request official transcripts to be sent electronically from the institution where the highest degree was conferred.

Transfer Credit Policy

Admitted students may transfer up to 6 graduate credits from an accredited external institution or another Hood College graduate program, provided the credits were earned prior to the first semester of study in the current program.

For full details, please refer to the Graduate Transfer Credit Policy in the College Catalog.

The interdisciplinary curriculum includes courses in:

• Foundations of Thanatology
• Grief and Loss Counseling
• Death, Dying, and End-of-Life Care
• Developmental Perspectives on Death Across the Lifespan

This comprehensive approach prepares students to understand and respond to the needs of both the dying and the bereaved—from medical to emotional, cultural, and spiritual.

Guest Lectures & Webinars
Students engage with nationally recognized experts in end-of-life care, grief counseling, and death education. Notably, Hood students have access to events like the Hood Talks: Trauma and Society webinar featuring Dr. Shaine, which explores societal responses to trauma and loss.

Applied Learning & Professional Preparation
Although the certificate is fully online, students frequently apply their learning in real-world settings including hospice care, grief centers, hospitals, schools, and faith-based organizations. Many students are already professionals integrating new skills into their current roles.

Certification Readiness
Coursework is aligned with the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) benchmarks, preparing students for national certification as Certified Thanatologists (CT). Students are encouraged to pursue certification as a capstone credential for their professional development.

Interdisciplinary Discussions
Class discussions explore death and bereavement from psychological, medical, spiritual, and cultural perspectives—creating rich conversations between students from varied professional backgrounds.

Networking Opportunities
Students build connections with faculty and peers from across the country, forming professional networks that support ongoing growth in thanatology and related fields.

Graduates of the Thanatology Certificate program will:

• Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of death, dying, grief, and bereavement across cultural, developmental, psychological, and spiritual dimensions.

• Apply specialized knowledge to support individuals and families in end-of-life and bereavement settings, including hospices, hospitals, funeral homes, counseling centers, and spiritual care environments.

• Integrate theory and practice in working with the terminally ill, the bereaved, and those seeking death education.

• Communicate compassionately and effectively with clients, families, and interdisciplinary care teams.

• Meet educational benchmarks set by the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC), preparing graduates to pursue Certified Thanatologist (CT) credentials.

• Adapt their skills to diverse professional roles, including bereavement counselor, grief educator, hospice care provider, funeral service professional, or pastoral care provider.

This certificate prepares students for meaningful careers that require both emotional intelligence and professional expertise—ensuring they are equipped to make a lasting difference in the lives of others.

Career Paths

Graduates are well-positioned for impactful roles such as:

• Bereavement Counselor

• Hospice or Hospital Care Provider

• Death Educator

• Funeral Service Director or Staff Member

• Grief Support Specialist

• Pastoral or Spiritual Care Provider

Employment opportunities span a wide range of settings, including hospices, hospitals, grief counseling centers, funeral homes, faith communities, long-term care facilities, nonprofit organizations, and private practice.