Accreditation
Why is Accreditation Important?
The First Step in becoming a Licensed Funeral Director is graduating from Accredited Mortuary Science Program.
To become eligible for the National Board Exam you must be verified by a school as having completed all graduation requirements from an ABFSE-accredited mortuary science program.
Who Accredits Worsham?
Worsham College of Mortuary Science and the Associate of Science in Funeral Service are accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097, (816) 233-3747.
The American Board of Funeral Service Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
National Board Exam
National Board Examination pass rates, graduation rates and employment rates for this and other ABFSE‑accredited programs are available at abfse.org in the Directory of Accredited Programs. To request a printed copy of Worsham College’s pass rates please visit Worsham College, 495 Northgate Parkway, Wheeling, IL 60090, request by email to lmcmurrough[at]worsham[dot]edu or by telephone 847‑808‑8444.
Student Complaints
Worsham College of Mortuary Science is committed to providing students with a fair and accessible process for raising concerns and resolving complaints.
Complaints to Worsham College
Students may submit complaints regarding academic or general College matters, including:
Academic Complaints and Appeals
Students who believe they have been adversely affected by an academic decision or action related to admission, academic progress, course requirements, grading procedures, or graduation may seek review through the College’s established academic appeal process.
A disagreement with an instructor’s academic or professional judgment, standing alone, is not grounds for an appeal. Academic appeals generally concern allegations that a published College policy, course requirement, grading methodology, or established procedure was not properly followed or applied.
General Student Complaints
Students who believe they have been adversely affected by a decision, action, policy, procedure, or practice of Worsham College, its faculty, staff, or administration may submit a complaint through the College’s general student complaint process when the matter is not governed by another specific College policy or appeal procedure.
Whenever appropriate, students are encouraged to first attempt to resolve concerns directly with the faculty member, staff member, or administrator involved.
Students should review the Worsham College Student Handbook for the complete procedures, filing requirements, deadlines, and appeal provisions applicable to academic and general student complaints.
Complaints to External Agencies
Students may also have the right to submit complaints to applicable state or federal agencies or Worsham College’s accrediting agency. Students should first complete Worsham College’s applicable internal complaint or appeal process before pursuing an external complaint, including complaints arising under the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), unless otherwise permitted by law or the applicable agency.
Illinois Board of Higher Education
Worsham College is authorized by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE).
After making reasonable efforts to resolve a matter through Worsham College’s applicable complaint procedures, students may submit a formal complaint to IBHE in accordance with its complaint process.
SARA/ Distance Education Student Complaints
Worsham College has applied to participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), which establish standards for interstate postsecondary distance education.
Students enrolled in Worsham College distance education courses or programs who have a complaint must first attempt to resolve the matter through Worsham College’s applicable institutional complaint or appeal procedures.
If an eligible SARA-related complaint cannot be resolved through Worsham College’s internal complaint process, the student may submit the unresolved complaint to a SARA State Portal Entity. The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) serves as the SARA State Portal Entity for Illinois.
Students may submit an eligible unresolved SARA complaint to IBHE or to the SARA State Portal Entity for the state in which the student was located at the time of the matter giving rise to the complaint.
Complaints involving grades or student conduct matters are not subject to the SARA external complaint process and should be addressed through Worsham College’s applicable institutional procedures.
American Board of Funeral Service Education
Worsham College of Mortuary Science and the Associate of Science in Funeral Service are accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097, (816) 233-3747.
Complaints concerning matters within the scope of ABFSE accreditation standards may be submitted to ABFSE in accordance with its established complaint procedures. Students are generally expected to pursue available institutional complaint and grievance procedures before submitting a complaint to the accrediting agency.
Federal Student Aid Complaints
Students with concerns regarding federal student financial aid may submit feedback, file a complaint, or request assistance through the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Feedback Center and FSA Ombudsman Group.
Approvals/Membership
Worsham College of Mortuary Science is approved by:
The Illinois Board of Higher Education • ibhe.org
1 N. Old State Capital Plaza, Suite 333
Springfield, Illinois 62701
Illinois Board of Higher Education Institutional Complaint System
The British Institute of Embalmers • bioe.co.uk
The Department of Professional Regulations
State of Illinois • idfpr.com
The State Approving Agency for the Training of
Veterans • nasaa-vetseducation.com
The Department of Vocational
Rehabilitation • www.dhs.state.il.us
Member College of the National Association of Colleges of Mortuary Science