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).
Licensure and/or Certification
Graduates of the AAS in Surgical Technology are eligible to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) examination. Once NBSTSA certified, graduates are eligible to apply for licensure.
Please go to UAA's Authorization by State website for information about licensure or certification in a state other than Alaska.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Associate Degrees.
- Complete the following courses with a minimum grade of C and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50:
- BIOL A111 and BIOL A111L
- BIOL A112 and BIOL A112L
- BIOL A240
- MA A101
- MA A104
- WRTG A111 or earn WRTG A1W in transfer
- Placement into MATH A105 or higher, or complete MATH A055 with a minimum grade of C.
- Submit the surgical technology program application according to instructions and deadlines on the program website.
- All students will initially be admitted to a pre-major status. Admission to the pre-major status does not guarantee subsequent admission to the major. As a pre-major, students work with an advisor to assist them in completing pre-major requirements and preparing to apply to the full major.
Special Considerations
Students selected for the AAS in Surgical Technology must provide documentation of:
- 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 of Applied Science Degrees.
- Complete the General Education Requirements for Associate of Applied Science Degrees.
- For the Quantitative Skills requirement MATH A105 or higher is recommended.
- Complete the following major requirements with a minimum grade of C:
| 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 |
| MA A101 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MA A104 | Essentials of Human Disease | 3 |
| PSY A111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| or PSY A150 | Lifespan Development | |
| or SOC A101 | Introduction to Sociology | |
| SURG A150 | Introduction to Surgical Technology | 4 |
| SURG A160 | Fundamentals of Surgical Technology | 8 |
| SURG A210 | Surgical Procedures I | 6 |
| SURG A220 | Surgical Procedures II | 6 |
| SURG A292 | Surgical Technology Seminar | 1 |
| SURG A295 | Surgical Technology Practicum | 11 |
| Total | 56 | |
A minimum of 66 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