Autopsy Technician Certificate
This is a career development certificate program only available to individuals currently working in the forensic autopsy technician industry.
Prospective students must provide a letter from their current employer verifying that they have been employed in the forensic autopsy technician industry (i.e. working alongside a medical examiner or a pathologist, in a morgue or coroner’s office, etc.) a minimum of six months and this letter should detail the nature of the current job’s role and responsibilities.
This certificate program is the first of its kind in the tri-state region, developed in conjunction with a local county Medical Examiner’s office. The certificate is a two-term, 15-credit program. While offered primarily online, the program does require a 60-hour externship working in a morgue or medical examiner’s office (students will secure their own externship site). At these sites, students will gain essential knowledge and hands-on skills required to conduct autopsies and other post-mortem examinations.
The program prepares students for a position working alongside pathologists or medical examiners, or work with morticians. They help take care of deceased bodies to prepare them for burial or cremation. They also assist in performing many tests and examinations to determine the cause of death or for evidence in criminal cases. Individuals who have an interest in human anatomy and an interest in learning more about the causes of death are often the ones who chose to become autopsy technicians.
Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Perform all the required duties of an autopsy technician, from receipt of the body to final release to a funeral home.
- Collect, catalogue, and inventory all evidence including tissue samples, organs, clothing, etc.
- Take forensic photographs of the body, at various stages during the autopsy.
- Maintain required written records.
Apply for Our Autopsy Technician Certificate Program Today
Apply today or contact our team with any questions!
| Course Code | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATC195 | Autopsy Technician Externship | 2.00 |
| ATC130 | Digital Forensic Photography in the Deceased | 2.00 |
| BIO155 | Disease and Pathology in the Deceased | 2.00 |
| BIO138 | Anatomy and Physiology for Non-Healthcare | 3.00 |
| ATC105 | Foundations of Autopsy Technician | 3.00 |
| BIO118 | Medical Terminology | 3.00 |
Robyn Tarpley
Director of Medical Science
Programs