Surgical Technology Associate Degree
Prepare to serve in an intense health care environment as a vital
part of a lifesaving surgical team.
Surgical technologists assist surgical teams throughout every step of an operation. In the surgical technology program at PA College, you’ll learn alongside certified technologists with years of operating room experience to hone your skills for this high-intensity career.
You’ll get access to a variety of advanced technology that makes simulation learning as close to real clinical situations as it can be. By graduation, you’ll have performed at least 120 surgical procedures in real-life settings. This exposure prepares students to take the certification exam that will allow them to begin their career as a certified surgical technologist.
This program exposes students to a wide variety of surgical specialties in the acute care setting that may include:
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Genitourologic surgery
- General surgery
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopedics
- Neurosurgery
- Peripheral vascular surgery
- Endoscopy
- Cardiothoracic surgery
See the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook.
Applicants who meet general admissions requirements may also apply for our certificate program.
Curriculum
First Year: Associate in Applied Science Degree Total Credits: 37
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| BIO 175 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| CSS 101 | College Studies Seminar | 3 |
| ENG 100 | English Composition | 3 |
| MAT 150 | Clinical Mathematics for the Health Sciences | 3 |
| PSY 100 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Total | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | Credits | |
| BIO 176 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| HSC 100 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
| SUR 100 | Perioperative Services | 2 |
| SUR 102 | Perioperative Pharmacology | 2 |
| SUR 103 | Surgical Armamentarium | 2 |
| SUR 104 | Perioperative Lab | 2 |
| Sociology Elective | 3 | |
| Total | 16 | |
| Summer Semester 1 | Credits | |
| SUR 110 | Intraoperative Patient Care | 4 |
| SUR 111 | Intraoperative Lab | 1 |
| Total | 5 | |
| Total Combined Credits | 37 |
Second Year: Associate in Applied Science Degree Total Credits: 28
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| BIO 185 | Microbiology | 3 |
| HSC 101 | Methods of Patient Care | 1 |
| SUR 202 | Surgical Services Clinical I | 3 |
| SUR 230 | Surgical Procedures and Pathophysiology I | 4 |
| Total | 11 | |
| Spring Semester | Credits | |
| PHI 210 | Ethical and Legal Dimensions in the Health Sciences | 1 |
| SUR 211 | Surgical Services Clinical II | 4 |
| SUR 212 | Professionalism in Surgical Technology | 1 |
| SUR 240 | Surgical Procedures & Pathophysiology II | 4 |
| SUR 299 | Certification Exam Review | 1 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Total | 14 | |
| Summer Semester I | Credits | |
| SUR 221 | Surgical Services Clinical III | 3 |
| Total | 3 | |
| Total Combined Credits | 65 |
Will I be successful?
Use the horizontal scroll bar below the table to view the full chart. The following data encapsulates both Certificate and Associate level degrees.
| Year | Graduation | Certification Examination | Job Placement Rate | Continuing Education | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Enrollment | Graduated | Rate | Number Who Took Exam | Exam Participation Rate | Number Passed | Pass Rate | Graduates | Jobs within 6 months | Rate | Graduates | Continuing Formal Ed. | Rate | |
| 2018-2019 | 15 | 11 | 73% | 11 | 100% | 9 | 82% | 11 | 11 | 100% | |||
| 2017-2018 | 14 | 9 | 64% | 9 | 100% | 9 | 100% | 9 | 9 | 100% | 9 | 0 | 0% |
| 2016-2017 | 12 | 9 | 75% | 9 | 100% | 7 | 78% | 9 | 8 | 89% | 9 | 0 | 0% |
| 2015-2016 | 15 | 8 | 53% | 8 | 100% | 8 | 100% | 8 | 8 | 100% | 8 | 1 | 13% |
| 2014-2015 | 8 | 4 | 50% | 4 | 100% | 4 | 100% | 4 | 4 | 100% | 4 | 1 | 25% |
| 2013-2014 | 12 | 9 | 75% | 9 | 100% | 9 | 100% | 9 | 7 | 78% | 9 | 1 | 11% |
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Not sure if this is the right program for you?
Our surgical technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. See more accreditation information.