Take Your Career into the Operating Room
Earn Your 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 in order to learn common procedures and technology used in the operating room, as well as surgical care tactics for handling high-pressure situations. You will gain knowledge of surgical procedures and complete a surgical technologist practicum in a real-world healthcare environment.
To offer a more flexible schedule and help you save money, we offer Flex Choice®—an option that allows you to combine traditional courses and optional self-directed assessments in order for you to earn your degree with more flexibility and affordability.
Once you earn your Associate's degree, you can also choose to continue your education by transferring your credits into our Health and Wellness Bachelor's degree.
To see how this program can help you achieve your goals:
- Course plan customized for you
- Support and financial aid planning
- Career path guidance with no obligation
Read more about this program
and then request information specific to you
You can enroll and receive support from these following campus locations:
Minnesota:
Illinois:
Florida:
Gain In-Field Surgical Technologist Skills Employers Seek
Through career-focused curriculum and practical, hands-on opportunities in your courses, you can prepare for a healthcare career as a surgical technologist. Our program is designed to help you gain relevant surgical tech lab and technology skills employers seek, including:
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Operating Room Preparation
Learn how to prepare an operating room to provide quality surgical care and develop tactics used to handle high-pressure situations from experienced instructors.
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Surgical Procedures
Develop a thorough understanding of surgical procedures so you can anticipate the surgeon's needs and monitor operating room conditions as part of a surgical team.
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Sterilization Techniques
Gain skills in aseptic techniques needed to keep the operating room sterile and promote patient safety.
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Compassionate Patient Care
Build your interpersonal skills to help you promote successful and compassionate patient care, both inside and outside the operating room.
Accredited and Designed with Industry Certification Preparation
The Surgical Technologist AAS Program at the Brooklyn Park/Maple Grove, Moorhead, and St. Cloud, Minnesota campuses and the Romeoville/Joliet, Illinois campus 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). As a surgical technologist degree student, you prepare to take the CST National certification exam to add to your professional credentials at no additional cost.*
The Surgical Technologist AAS Program at the New Port Richey/West Pasco, Florida and Rockford, Illinois campuses is not currently accredited but students are eligible to prepare and take the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) Tech in Surgery - Certified TS-C (NCCT) exam at no additional cost.*
Our Grads Work Across Industries
Graduates from our School of Health Science programs are working for leading industries, including:*
- Health Systems
- Hospitals & Clinics
- Insurance
- Local & State Government
- Pharmaceutical
- Public & Community Health
- Social Services
117 Years of Successful Graduates
At Rasmussen College, we’ve been dedicated to our mission of preparing students for career success since 1900.
*Industry information reported by Rasmussen College graduates. This list does not constitute an endorsement of Rasmussen College by the industries shown above. Listing does not guarantee or imply that future employment opportunities within these industries will be available.
Need more detailed information about our program?
Program Entry Requirements
Program-specific items and a background check are required before you can enroll. To start on your path to become a surgical technologist, speak to a program manager.
Ready to Start Your Path as a Surgical Technologist?
You'll receive support and financial aid planning, a customized course plan and career path guidance—with no obligation.
Do you have more questions?
How Much Could You Earn as a Surgical Technologist?
In-Demand Career Options for Your Future
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), earning a degree, regardless of the field of study, can improve income potential.* Here is the average salary and projected job growth for surgical technologists:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, [salary data accessed September 13, 2017] www.bls.gov/oes/. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, [career information accessed December 13, 2017] www.bls.gov/ooh/. 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.
How Much Will it Cost?
See how affordable your degree of choice is:
Calculate Your Estimated Degree CostWe Help Make College Affordable
At Rasmussen College, we believe higher education should be a successful investment. That’s why we offer affordable options that make earning your degree attainable. See how you can save:
- Flex Choice® learning option
- Loans and Grants
- Scholarship Opportunities
- Corporate and Military Discounts
- Seamless transfer policies
Important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended this program:
Want to learn more? Consult with a program manager
Program Page Methodology and Disclosures
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Time to Complete
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Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and the number of courses completed each term.
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Industry Certification Exams
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The application fee for each qualified student's first exam attempt is included in the total program costs. Should you need to take the exam more than once to receive a passing score, you will be responsible for all subsequent exam application fees.