The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Surgical Technology provides graduates the training to work in the operating room of hospitals and surgery centers alongside surgeons, nurses and anesthesiologists while assisting the surgeon. Graduates may work as surgical technologists, sterile processors, sterile processing managers, and medical sales representatives. After gaining clinical experience, graduates may teach or become a certified first assistant.
The AAS in Surgical Technology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA).
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Associate Degrees.
- A cumulative high school or postsecondary GPA of 2.5
- 3 years of high school science, with a recommendation for Anatomy and Physiology or Human Biology, or the postsecondary equivalent
- 3 years of high school math, with an emphasis on algebra, trigonometry, geometry, and analysis, or the post secondary equivalent.
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Complete the Surgical Technology program application, which will be followed by an interview with the program admissions committee.
Special Considerations
Students selected for the AAS in Surgical Technology may be asked to provide documentation for clinical site placement for the following:
- Immunizations: Hepatitis B titer showing immunity, Hepatitis A, MMR, TDap, Varicella, Influenza vaccine within the previous twelve months, and two-step PPD test or Quantiferon Gold
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Provider certification
- A national-level criminal background check
- A drug-screening lab test
- Current health insurance
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Associate Degrees.
- Complete the General Education Requirements for Associate of Applied Science Degrees.
- Complete all required Surgical Technology (SURG) courses with a minimum grade of C.
- Complete the following major requirements:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL A111 & A111L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 4 |
| BIOL A112 & A112L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 4 |
| BIOL A240 | Introductory Microbiology for Health Sciences | 3 |
| BIOL A240L | Introductory Microbiology for Health Sciences Laboratory | 1 |
| MA A101 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MA A104 | Essentials of Human Disease | 3 |
| SURG A150 | Introduction to Surgical Technology | 2 |
| SURG A160 | Fundamentals of Surgical Technology | 2 |
| SURG A160L | Fundamentals of Surgical Technology Laboratory | 4 |
| SURG A210 | Surgical Procedures I | 2 |
| SURG A210L | Surgical Procedures I Laboratory | 4 |
| SURG A220 | Surgical Procedures II | 2 |
| SURG A220L | Surgical Procedures II Laboratory | 4 |
| SURG A292 | Surgical Technology Seminar | 1 |
| SURG A295 | Surgical Technology Practicum | 11 |
| Total | 50 | |
A minimum of 62 credits is required for this degree.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology will be able to:
- Apply knowledge and skills of biological sciences in the perioperative setting.
- Communicate effectively with surgical team members, patients and their families.
- Apply the principles of aseptic technique in the perioperative setting.
- Organize routine instrumentation and supplies within the perioperative environment.
- Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacology and math calculation principles related to the surgical environment.
- Collaborate with members of the surgical team to deliver quality patient care with consideration of the unique psychological and social needs of each patient.
- Demonstrate skills and behaviors necessary to function as a member of a surgical team.
Sample Plan
The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.
Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.
- Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
- GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
- Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
- Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| BIOL A111 & A111L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 4 |
| MA A101 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| GER Oral Communication Skills | 3 | |
| GER Quantitative Skills | 3 | |
| GER Written Communication Skills | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL A112 & A112L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 4 |
| BIOL A240 & A240L | Introductory Microbiology for Health Sciences and Introductory Microbiology for Health Sciences Laboratory | 4 |
| MA A104 | Essentials of Human Disease | 3 |
| GER Written Communication Skills | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Summer | ||
| SURG A150 | Introduction to Surgical Technology 2 | 2 |
| SURG A160 & A160L | Fundamentals of Surgical Technology and Fundamentals of Surgical Technology Laboratory | 6 |
| GER (option for summer) 1 | ||
| Credits | 8 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SURG A210 | Surgical Procedures I | 2 |
| SURG A210L | Surgical Procedures I Laboratory | 4 |
| SURG A220 | Surgical Procedures II | 2 |
| SURG A220L | Surgical Procedures II Laboratory | 4 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| SURG A292 | Surgical Technology Seminar | 1 |
| SURG A295 | Surgical Technology Practicum | 11 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 62 | |
- 1
Any GER course could be completed in the summer semester.
- 2
SURG A150 could be taken in first-year spring or summer.