Surgical Technology - A.A.S.

Questions / More Information

(423) 697-4450 | Request Information

Program Director: 
Sarah Garner
Office: 
HSC 2035
Phone: 
(423) 493.8819

Deadline Dates

November 15th of each year.
If on weekend, due following Business Day
surgical technology

Information Session RSVP - choose "Surgical Technology"

Curriculum Details

About Program

The goal of the Surgical Technology Program is to prepare qualified and motivated students with a learning opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to gain employment as a Certified Surgical Technologist and become an integral part of the health care team. The goal will be accomplished by preparing competent entry-level Surgical Technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains; and by meeting or exceeding the criteria outlined in the current CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Surgical Technology. 

Graduates of the Surgical Technology program are prepared to take the Certified Surgical Technologist Exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technologists and Surgical Assistants (NBST/SA) to obtain the title of Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).

Prerequisites

  • Student must be college-level in reading and writing
  • Student must submit a Surgical Technology program application 
  • Student must complete SURG 1102 and SURG 1410 (the only SURG classes with open enrollment) 

These prerequisites must be completed before spring semester. Students must be fully accepted into the program to take any other SURG courses. All four credit hour courses have a lecture plus lab or clinical hours. 

Accreditation

CAAHEP
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775

Mission

The Surgical Technology Program's mission is to: 

To promote technical instruction and skill development that will enable entry-level students to become gainfully employed in the surgical technology field. Highly individualized instruction provides for both classroom instruction and practical work experience, which is gained through student clinical rotation.

Goals

The goal of the Surgical Technology Program is to prepare qualified and motivated students with a learning opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to gain employment as a Certified Surgical Technologist and become an integral part of the health care team. The goal will be accomplished by preparing competent entry-level Surgical Technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains; and by meeting or exceeding the criteria outlined in the current CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Surgical Technology.

 

Total Estimated Program Costs

The estimated cost list provides an overall estimate of the costs for the Surgical Technology program. The costs quoted on this list are only estimated costs, and they are subject to change without notice. The maintenance and other related enrollment fees are based on the 2024-2025 enrollment fees only for SURG courses. Expenses for other campus classes are not added to the costs listed below.
 

First Semester Costs

(Fall = 5 hours)

 

In-state 

Out-of-state 

Maintenance Fee 

$1025.00   

$3730.00  

NAH Fee 

$125.00 

$125.00 

Text Books  

$300.00 

$300.00 

Two sets of Hunter/Emerald Green Uniforms 

$100.00 

$100.00 

Water-resistant shoes 

$50.00 

$50.00 

Total First Semester Cost 

$1600.00 

$4305.00

   

Second Semester Cost

(Spring = 7 hours) 

 

In-state 

Out-of-state 

Maintenance Fee 

$1415.00   

$5202.00 

NAH Fee 

$175.00 

$175.00 

Total Second Semester Cost 

$1590.00 

$5377.00 

 

Third Semester Cost

(Summer = 8 hours)

 

In-state 

Out-of-state 

Maintenance Fee 

$1610.00   

$5938.00 

N&AH Fee 

$200.00 

$200.00 

Criminal Background Check 

$60.00 

$60.00 

Drug Screening 

$45.00 

$45.00 

CPR Course 

$55.00 

$55.00 

Physical Exam and required immunizations and tests 

$150.00 

$150.00 

Student Liability Insurance 

$10.00 

$10.00 

Surgical Counts 

$45.00 

$45.00 

Total Third Semester Cost 

$2175.00 

$6503.00 

 

Fourth Semester Cost

(Fall = 8 hours)

 

In-state 

Out-of-state 

Maintenance Fee 

$1610.00   

$5938.00 

N&AH Fee 

$200.00 

$200.00 

Text Books  

$300.00 

$300.00 

Total Fourth Semester Cost 

$2110.00 

$6438.00

 

Fifth Semester Cost

(13 hours) (Spring)

 

In-state 

Out-of-state 

Maintenance Fee 

$2571.00   

$9604.00 

N&AH Fee 

$325.00 

$325.00 

AST Gold Bundle 

$247.00 

$247.00 

Total Fifth Semester Cost 

$3143.00 

$10176.00

 

Total Program Cost 

$10,618.00 

$32,799.00 

 

 

 

Program Outcomes

Year(s) Graduation Rate National Certification Pass Rate Job Placement Rate
2022 83% 90% 100%
2023 72% 93% 100%
2024 71% 70% 100%

 

Employment Opportunities: 

According to the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2022-2032 Occupational Outlook Handbook, there were approximately 134,000 surgical technologist jobs in the United States in 2023. Because of the increased number of expected surgeries, the number of jobs in surgical technology is expected to grow 6% through 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. 

  • The median annual wage for surgical technologists was $62,830 in May 2024.
  • The median annual income of these individuals in 2014 was $44,330.

 

Job Expectations

Surgical Technologists work in many different environments. Most, however, are employed in technical positions in various surgical settings. Hazardous materials may be encountered as part of the job, such as Latex, chemicals (polymethyl methacrylate), and body fluids such as blood. Students are taught to anticipate the needs of the surgeon based on his or her preference card and the utilization of specific instruments and equipment in order for the patient to have a successful and safe surgical procedure. During the Clinical time, students become knowledgeable of the instrument room as well as the policies and procedures of the sterilization/decontamination processing of instruments and equipment.