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Master of Science in Thanatology (E-Learning)

Introducing you to the discipline of thanatology. Take a deep dive into the fascinating world of dying, death, and bereavement.

 

The Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) is the leading professional association in thanatology and death education. The Edgewood College Thanatology curriculum is aligned with the ADEC Essential Body of Knowledge.

In association with
COMING SOON

For Working Professionals

100% Online

Fully Online Format

Full-time

36 Months

Recommended 12-15 hrs/week

January 21, 2025

Start Date

January 20, 2028

End Date

Program Overview

Key Highlights

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Experience a one-of-a-kind curriculum focused on evidence-based content and aligned with the ADEC Essential Body of Knowledge.

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10 dynamic electives to choose from

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Achieve 30 credit MS

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Learn in 100% asynchronous online format

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1300+ Hours of Learning

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Student Support available all days

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Achieve the Edgewood Alumni Status!

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Edgewood College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Why pursue a career in Thanatology?
 
When considering a career in thanatology, think about your desired role: working in bereavement support at a hospice or hospital, enhancing your skills as a funeral director, K-12 teacher, or nurse, or working one-on-one with grieving individuals in a clinical setting or facilitating grief support groups. While a clinical degree is often needed for counseling or therapy, additional education in grief, loss, and trauma is essential, as many clinical programs offer limited training in these areas. Earning a Master of Science in Thanatology can open doors to various rewarding careers in death and grief support.

Certificate

Upon successful completion of the programme, you will receive a Master of Science in Thanatology (E-Learning) degree from Edgewood College.
Upon successful completion of the programme, you will receive a Master of Science in Thanatology (E-Learning) degree from Edgewood College.
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  • Develop deeper empathy and understanding for those experiencing death, loss, and grief.
  • Gain skills to provide effective support in hospices, hospitals, and grief counseling settings.
  • Contribute to shaping policies and practices in palliative care, bereavement support, and death education.
  • Learn how to apply the four core competencies of Interprofessional Collaborative Practice to enhance care for families and individuals confronting dying, death, loss, grief, and/or suicide.
  • Unlock the Edgewood College Alumni Status
Top Topics You Will Learn
Empathy and Compassion, Effective Communication, Grief Counseling, Cultural Competency, Critical Thinking, Emotional Resilience view more
Graduation Requirements

A Master of Science in Thanatology (E-Learning) will be awarded to students who fulfill:

- Completion of the course
- EC graduation requirement: To graduate, a student must obtain a GPA of 3.00, with grades C and above required.

 

Students will be assessed based on Assignments and Projects.
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Who Is This Course For?
The course is designed for working professionals or individuals interested in providing support to the dying and bereaved. The program prepares graduates for employment in a variety of settings, including hospices, hospitals, and grief centers. view more
Minimum Eligibility
Minimum Age: 21 Years Old.
 
Academic Level:

Bachelor’s Degree in any field with minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a scale of 4.0 or equivalent.

Language Proficiency: Bachelor's Degree where English is the mode of delivery, or IELTS 6.0, or equivalent.*
 
Other Requirements: A personal essay (500-1,000 words) articulating why the applicant wishes to study thanatology and relevant career goals.
 
 
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Syllabus

Best-in-class content by leading faculty and industry leaders in the form of videos, case studies and projects.

Meet Our Program Director

 

McCordJanet Comm 1610-1Janet McCord, PhD, FT, has been a thanatologist and suicidologist for nearly 30 years, mentored by Professor Elie Wiesel and Professor Edwin S. Shneidman. She has educated master's level students worldwide and authored Chapter 18 in ADEC's Handbook of Thanatology. Dr. McCord has held leadership roles in ADEC and is dedicated to improving death education globally. She is involved with PoMA and Hope North Uganda, focusing on mental health and psychosocial support. Dr. McCord's research includes global perspectives on trauma, dying, death, and grief, with ethnographic studies in Uganda.

She currently serves as a section editor for the Routledge Online Resources: Death, Dying, and Bereavement. She has several publications in books and journals, including a research article co-authored with a former student and fellow faculty member, published in OMEGA: Journal of Death and Dying in 2020, a needs assessment for grief support after perinatal loss in rural Minnesota.

Hear from the best..

Watch Dr. Janet McCord, the program director, speak from the heart, as she unveils the profound journey of Thanatology—a path that turns the mystery of death and grief into a meaningful exploration of life.

Syllabus

Best-in-class content by leading faculty and industry leaders in the form of videos, cases and projects, assignments.

  • 1:20

    Teacher-Student Ratio

  • 1300+

    Hours of Learning

  • 36 Months

    Course Duration

  • Introduction to Thanatology
  • Thanatological Theory
  • Family Systems and Thanatology
  • The Self & Openness to Culture
  • Spiritual Dimensions of Care
  • Ethics in Death and Dying
  • Research Methods & Thanatology

  • Children & Teens in Thanatology
  • Adults/Older Adults & Thanatology
  • Hospice & Palliative Care
  • Suicidology
  • Suicide, Children, & Teens
  • Traumatology
  • Complicated Grief
  • Death and the Creative Imagination
  • Death Education and Grief Support
  • Practices/Purposes of Death Rituals

Admission Process

Step 1

Application

Fill in Application Form
Step 2

Program Counselling

Pre-course counselling to be conducted by our seasoned admissions counsellor
Step 3

Get Shortlisted

Obtain the offer letter if you have met our admissions requirements
Step 4

Application Fee

Pay the application fee and sign the requisite documents
Step 5

Finalise Enrolment

Pay the course fee and complete your orientation to start your journey
COMING SOON
COMING SOON

Course Fee: USD $14,500

Application Fee: USD $500

Fee waivers up to USD $3,000 available - check your eligibility
**Deferment fees are at 10% of the course fee and are non-refundable
*Fees stated are inclusive of GST

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Refer someone you know and receive cash reimbursements of up to SGD 650!*
*More details under the referral policy under Support Section

How will you benefit from this course

Features/Benefits

  • Complete the program in just 36 months
  • Flexible 100% online
  • Content aligned with the ADEC Essential Body of Knowledge
  • Edgewood College alumni status
  • 24x7 student support available
  • No standardized testing required

Empowering careers of tomorrow

Supporting Leaders of tomorrow

COMING SOON

How will you benefit from this course

Features/Benefits

  • Complete the program in just 36 months
  • Flexible 100% online
  • Content aligned with the ADEC Essential Body of Knowledge
  • Edgewood College alumni status
  • 24x7 student support available
  • No standardized testing required

Empowering careers of tomorrow

Supporting Leaders of tomorrow

COMING SOON

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

+65-6232-6730

For queries, feedback and assistance:-

info@upgrad.edu.sg

 

Monday - Friday | 9am to 6pm

 

*All telephone calls will be recorded for training and quality purposes.
*If we are unavailable to attend to your call, it is deemed that we have your consent to contact you in purpose.