Become A Key Operating Room Team Member

Surgical Technologist Associate’s Degree

As a Surgical Technologist Associate’s degree student, you receive hands-on learning in fully-equipped and industry-standard surgical suite laboratories.

Our program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) on the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA). Our curriculum prepares you to take the CST National certification exam to add to your professional credentials, and as a Rasmussen College student, you can take this exam at no additional cost.

Skills to Succeed as an Operating Room Team Member

Taught in fully-equipped and industry-standard surgical suites, our Surgical Technologist Associate's degree curriculum includes:

  • Common operating room procedures
  • Tactics used to handle high-pressure situations
  • Technology used in the operating room

Throughout your degree, our industry-experienced instructors work one-on-one with you to develop your professional and patient interaction skills, giving you a thorough understanding of successful and compassionate patient care, both inside and outside the operating room.

Learn more about our Surgical Technologist Associate's degree by completing the contact request form on the right or calling 888-549-6755, and one of our program managers will be happy to answer your questions.

Program Highlights
  • Complete a surgical technologist practicum in a real-world healthcare environment
  • Work with career advisors to find the healthcare job you want
  • Continue your education by transferring your credits into our Healthcare Management Bachelor's degree
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Surgical Technology Degree Courses

Your surgical technology instruction will provide you with basic concepts of surgical procedures, anatomy and physiology, pathology, microbiology, and pharmacology to help you do your job efficiently.

  • Prepare an operating room for surgery
  • Understand surgical procedures to anticipate the surgeon's needs
  • Expertise in sterile and aseptic technique
  • Monitor conditions in operating room to assess the needs of patient and surgical team

Sample Course List

Fundamentals of Surgical Technology
This course will orient the student to surgical technology and prepare them for scrub and circulator duties as well as Surgical Procedures I, and Surgical Practicum I and II. Topics include standards of conduct, special populations, safety standards, equipment, biomedical science, asepsis and sterile technique, anesthesia, surgical supplies and instrumentation.
Surgical Procedures I
This course will orient the student to surgical technology and prepare them for scrub and circulator duties as well as Surgical Practicum I. Topics include standards of conduct, special populations, safety standards, biomedical medicine, asepsis and sterile technique, anesthesia, and instrumentation.
Surgical Pharmacology
Students in this course will demonstrate an understanding of pharmacology and anesthesia concepts and their applications related to the field of surgical technology. They will study anesthesia methods, agents, and techniques of administration. They will also be able to define terminology related to pharmacology, identify medications used on surgical patients, and describe safe practices of medication handling in the surgical environment.
Surgical Tech Practicum I
This course is designed to provide the student with a clinical experience that includes a solid introduction to the operating room, and to scrub and circulating routines. This course functions to expand and apply knowledge gained in the Surgical Procedures courses. One of the assumptions of this curriculum is that the student who has passed the Clinical Readiness portion of the program will be ready to apply knowledge by scrubbing and circulating in a supervised setting beginning Week 1 of this course.
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Estimated Program Cost

  •   Full Time Part Time

  • Upper division courses

    Upper division courses

    Upper Division courses are either listed as 300-400 or 3000-4000 level, depending on the state.

     $299 $310

  • Lower division courses

    Lower division courses

    Lower Division courses are either listed as 100-200 or 1000-2000 level, depending on the state.

     $299 $395

  • Estimated Price

    Estimated Price

    Price if you are continuously enrolled in your program of study until graduation. Estimated price does not include $150 course fee.

  • Grants
    None Partner Success

  • Discounts
    None Corporate Military

  • Transfer Credits

    How many credits can you transfer?

    0

FACT

Our programs are created to prepare students for careers projected to be in strong demand in the future-giving our graduates increased opportunity to land the job they want.

Job Growth

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 19% job growth for Surgical Technologists over the next 10 years.

  • 25%
  • 19%

Increased Affordability

Continuously enrolled students lock in their tuition rates. 93% of students receive financial aid assistance.

The Federal Pell Grant Program awards between $575 - $5,550 to eligible students based on financial need. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants awards $100-$4,000 (based on availability) to eligible students based on financial need.

The Federal Pell Grant Program awards between $575 - $5,550 to eligible students based on financial need. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants awards $100-$4,000 (based on availability) to eligible students based on financial need.

The FL Student Assistant grant is awarded to eligible undergraduate students with FL residency and based on financial need.

The ND state grant is valued at $1200/ year and is awarded to eligible undergraduate students with ND residency and is notified by the state regarding eligibility.

Credit Transfer

Transfer credits to Rasmussen College.

See Potential Earnings

For important methodology statements and disclosures regarding the information shown above, click here.

Information presented on our tuition calculator

GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT RATE

Placement Rate Methodology: 85% of March 2011 to December 2011 graduates available for employment were employed in their field of study or continuing their education as of September 30, 2012. This rate includes graduates across all Rasmussen College programs and campuses working in their field of study or continuing their education at Rasmussen College or another institution. This rate does not specify that each graduate was placed by Rasmussen College in their current position; some graduates find jobs on their own while others maintain previously held employment.

Bureau Of Labor Statistics (BLS)

BLS salary data represents national, averaged earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Tuition Lock

Tuition rate is locked in for continuously enrolled students. A change in the number of credits taken during enrollment in any quarter may lead to different prices if a student moves from part-time to full-time status or vice versa.

Federal And State Grants

Students must meet applicable eligibility requirements for state and federal grant programs—please speak with a financial aid advisor for details.

Time To Complete

Time to complete is dependent on accepted transfer credits and courses completed each quarter.

Credit Transfer

Rasmussen College reserves the right to accept or deny credits based on policies listed in the college catalog.

Corporate Discounts

Discounts may vary by corporate partner and program. Please contact a program manager for more information.

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Estimated Potential Earnings

If you invested in your degree and started a career as a , the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states the median yearly salary for this career is . At that rate, your estimated return on investment would be over the course of a lifetime.

A career as a is just one career option you can pursue with your degree. Your income potential can vary based on your specialization or industry, and you should explore all your options to find the career that is right for you.

A Degree Matters

Earning an Associate's or Bachelor's degree—regardless of the field of study—can greatly improve your income potential in today's job market. In fact, according to the BLS, degree holders earn, on average, significantly more than high school diploma holders:

National Average Lifetime Earnings**
Unemployment Rate**
Bachelor's Degree
$2,281,040
4.9%
Associate's Degree
$1,763,440
6.8%
Some College
$1,622,240
8.7%
High School Diploma
$1,367,880
9.4%
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**http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/acs-14.pdf, http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm

Potential earnings calculated by multiplying median full-time salaries by 40 years http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm

Seamless Transfer Policies

  • Transfer up to 67% of the credits required to complete your degree
  • Credits accepted from nationally and regionally accredited schools
  • Course-by-course evaluation of all courses with a grade of C or higher
  • No expiration of your previously-earned general education and certain degree-specific credits
  • Credit through prior learning, work, and military experience
    • Test out of courses where you can demonstrate specific knowledge
    • Complete advanced placement (AP) exams and achieve a score of 3 or higher
    • Successfully complete college exams (e.g., CLEP, DSST, DANTES, etc.)
    • Successfully submit course waivers for approval from Rasmussen College
    • Submit credits transcribed by the American Council of Education (ACE)
    • Submit a military transcript
  • Transfer all general education courses from your previously earned Associate's or Bachelor's degree, regardless of course of study
  • Course waivers will be considered for students who have earned the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS or CCS-P) from AHIMA. In addition, an X-ray operator license may also be considered
  • For students who have graduated from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology diploma or certificate program and hold the CST (NBSTSA) certification
    • Student will receive a total block transfer of 60 credits. Students will receive a block of 4 natural sciences general education credits plus a block of 56 core credits. Students will need to complete 28 general education credits and E242 Career Development.

**For additional details about the information presented above, please click here.

Information on transfer policies

Rasmussen College reserves the right to accept or deny transfer credits based upon policies in course catalog.

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