Dec 26, 2024  
2024-2025 Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Catalog

Surgical Technology AAS


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs by Degree

Schoolcraft program code # AAS.0P286/AAS.00286

The goal of the Surgical Technology degree is to prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

The Surgical Technology degree will offer the student an opportunity to become an integral member of the surgical team as well as an allied health professional. This program will utilize a combination of classroom, lab, and clinical experiences to facilitate student learning. Multiple teaching delivery methods will cover concepts such as; the principles of asepsis, application of sterile technique, and surgical pharmacology. Students will demonstrate competency knowledge of perioperative case management prior to entering a clinical internship. The clinical experience will continue the education of the student by offering hands-on surgical patient care through multiple surgical service specialties. Students will work under the auspice of the surgeon as well as the surgical team to gain the scrub experience required for eligibility to sit for the national CST (Certified Surgical Technologist exam) credentialing exam offered through the NBSTSA (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting).

The didactic and clinical learning experiences require approximately 40 hours of participation per week in the second year of the program. This program requires students to complete a specific list of requirements before being officially admitted into the program.  Students are listed in a pre-program code while the application requirements are being met.  The full program start date and implementation of the program code may be dependent on space availability.  Requirements are listed online at https://www.schoolcraft.edu/admissions/apply-to-sc/students-with-selective-admissions/ or the Surgical Technology AAS Program Application Information  catalog page. Students must complete all program-specific courses once accepted into the program, or they will not be able to continue in the program. Students may complete program-supportive courses before program application. Students must maintain successful completion of all courses to remain in the program.

Students who satisfactorily complete the program requirements with a minimum of a 3.0 grade in each designated class will qualify for an associate of applied science degree.

Not all courses are offered each semester.  Students should work with an academic advisor to develop a schedule that will work for them. Students planning to transfer should check the transfer institution’s requirements/guides or discuss their options with an academic advisor. Number of credits may vary depending on the course selection. 

Sample Schedule of Courses


*Admission Prerequisites:  These courses must be completed prior to admission to the Surgical Technology AAS program.  Students must achieve a 3.0 or higher in HIT 100 /HIT 104 , SURG 100 , and BIOL 243  for acceptance.

First Year


English Communication*


Select One:

Mathematics* - Credits: 3-5


Select General Education Mathematics  course**

Total Credits: 12-14


Winter Semester


Spring/Summer Session


***Admission to the program is required for all SURG courses below, except SURG 101 .

Total Credits: 7


Second Year


English Communications


Select One:

Total Credits: 10


Winter Semester


All four of the SURG courses offered this semester must be taken simultaneously.  Registration requires both acceptance to the Surgical Technology AAS program and a 3.0 or higher in SURG 101 SURG 102 BIOL 237 , and BIOL 238 

Total Credits: 12


Spring/Summer Session


Total Credits: 8.5


Third Year


Total Credits: 6


Program Total: 67.5 - 72.5 Credits


**Mathematics - students should meet with an advisor to determine courses that satisfy future professional goals, such as nursing program requirements.

**** If the student is a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), they may be eligible to earn Prior Learning Credit for SURG 101 .  Please consult the Program Director for more information.

If a student is a current Certified Surgical Technologist,(CST) through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, NBSTSA, they may be eligible to earn Prior Learning Credit for all listed SURG courses (31.5 credits) plus BIOL 243 , and BIOL 237 -BIOL 238 .  The remaining credits must be earned at Schoolcraft College to obtain an AAS.  Please consult the Program Director for more information. 

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs by Degree