Table of Contents
What Is Meant By Thanatology Education”?
How Do I Calculate Thanatology Education Hours?
What Are Some Examples Of Thanatology Topics, Subjects, or Content?
How Will My Thanatology Education Be Evaluated As “Eligible”?
How Do I Verify My Educational Hours?
What Type of Education is NOT Eligible?
How Will I Enter My Thanatology Education Hours on the Application to Become Certified?

How Will I Enter My Thanatology Education Hours on the Recertification Application?

What is Meant by Thanatology Education”?

This refers to any training or education you have previously received where the learning content fits under the broad topic of thanatology (death, dying, loss, grief, mourning, memorialization, etc). The learning experience can be  (1)  to gain general thanatology knowledge, (2) to learn how to assess, intervene, provide care and education in a thanatology role, or (3) to gain the training needed to function in a thanatology role. Thanatology education does not refer to education you provided to others; it refers to education you received as a learner in the years prior to applying for the CT or FT credential.

How do I Calculate Thanatology Education Hours?

Thanatology education is measured in “contact hours” (time spent in a learning situation). Examples of hour equivalencies:

• Each 1 CEU earned  = 1 contact hour  (i.e. through webinars, seminars, etc.)
• Each 50-60 minute educational presentation attended = 1 contact hour
  • This includes lectures, trainings, workshops, seminars, conferences, webinars, symposiums, and online learning courses. Self-study courses that aware CEUs/CE can also be claimed
• Each 3 credit, one semester college course (3 hours/week X 15 hours) = 45 contact hours
  • If you have completed Thanatology-specific education as a part of your general education degree(s), you may also count it towards this requirement.
  • A 2 credit course = 30 hours; a 1 credit course = 15 hours

Examples include:

• Academic courses
• Workshops
• Conferences
• Webinars
• Symposiums
• Seminars
• Online learning that awards CEUs/CEs
• Self-study courses that award CEUs/CEs
• Direct education hours received during other training activities
  • Includes paid, volunteer or student roles
  • Must be verified by the trainer, supervisor, or institution providing the education

Homework or prep time associated with receiving education does not count towards this requirement.

What are Some Examples of Thanatology Topics, Subjects, or Content?

• Theories, models, research, and resources that inform thanatology practice
  
  
• Practice considerations as they relate to dying, foreseen death, unforeseen and traumatic death, loss, grief, mourning and memorialization:

• assessment models, interventions, and resources
• developmental stages across the lifespan
• ethical, moral, legal, societal, and global issues
• cultural, religious, spiritual, personhood, and family issues
• post death care and practices; rituals, memorialization
  
  

How Will My Thanatology Education Be Evaluated As “Eligible”?

Our reviewers should be able to determine eligibility based on the title of the training, class, presentation, webinar, etc. If the title does not directly reflect thanatology content, you are required to provide a short description of the content and justification for how it is related to thanatology.
   

How do I Verify My Educational Hours?

Each education entry and hours received are verified with a certificate of attendance, CEUs or contact hours awarded, a transcript, or by a signed letter from the person or institution providing the education.  You will not be asked to upload certificates to your application, but you are required to keep them on file in the event you should be randomly selected for audit, or additional information is requested from the Application Review Committee.

What Type of Education is NOT Eligible?

These are non-supervised, non verifiable educational activities, such as: reading a book, watching a movie or play, listening to a podcast, joining a journal club discussion group or study group, reviewing journal articles, or a self-study learning situation (unless it is a thanatology related self-study course that awards CEU’s). If the activity can’t be officially verified, it is not eligible. Homework or prep time associated with verifiable education does not count towards this requirement.

How Will I Enter My Thanatology Education Hours on the Application to Become Certified?

The application will prompt you to “Add thanatology education entries”.

Complete the following fields for each education entry:

1. Start and end dates
2. # of hours earned in the educational activity
3. Title/topic (What was the title of the class, presentation, etc.?)
4. Description (If the title isn’t clear that it is a thanatology topic, give a brief description.)
5. Sponsor (What organization/institution offered the education?)

Click “Add”, and then click on “Add another thanatology education entry” to continue adding.

How Will I Enter My Thanatology Education Hours on the Recertification Application?

Current certificants are not required to list education hours unless randomly selected for audit. If you are selected for audit, you will be contacted via email after submitting your application.

When editing your application after being selected for audit:

Under Category 1: Receiving Education, the application will prompt you to “Add Recertification Activity”.

Complete the following fields for each education entry:

1. Start and end dates
2. # of hours earned in the educational activity
3. Title/topic (What was the title of the class, presentation, etc.?)
4. Description (If the title isn’t clear that it is a thanatology topic, give a brief description and justify how the content is related to thanatology.)
5. Sponsor (What organization/institution offered the education?)

Click “Add”, and then click on “Add Another Recertification Activity” to continue adding.