Military BenefitsSurgical Technologist
Associate's Degree
Next program start date
April 06, 2020
Finish in as few as
21 months1
Learning includes
- On-Campus and Online Classes
- Field Experience
- Flex Choice® (Optional)
Learn to professionally carry out common OR (operating room) procedures and handle high-pressure situations as a valuable member of a surgical team. In as few as 21 months, you can earn this Associate’s degree, which provides hands-on training in surgical suite labs to help you prepare for surgical tech certification and a fulfilling career.1 The Surgical Tech program online and on campus is available with Flex Choice®, which allows you to combine traditional online coursework and self-directed assessments—a more affordable way to receive credit for what you already know.
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What Will I Be Prepared to Do When I’m Done?
Pursue Certification
Upon graduation, students are prepared to take the CST National Surgical Technologist Certification exam to add to your professional credentials at no additional cost.2 Students are eligible to prepare and take the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) Tech in Surgery – Certified TS-C exam at non-accredited campuses at no additional cost.2
Advance Your Education
Once you graduate from this Surgical Tech program, you can choose to continue your education by transferring your credits into our Health and Wellness Bachelor’s degree for even more in-demand knowledge and skills within the healthcare industry.
Pursue Potential Job Growth
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the projected job growth potential between 2016 and 2026 for surgical technologists is 12%.3 A Surgical Technologist Associate's degree from Rasmussen College can help set you up for success in this growing field.
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What Skills Will I Gain?
Operating Room Preparation
Learn how to prepare an operating room for surgery and develop tactics used to handle high-pressure situations from experienced instructors.
Surgical Procedures
Develop a thorough understanding of surgical procedures so you can anticipate the surgeon’s needs and monitor operating room conditions.
Sterilization Techniques
Gain expertise in the aseptic techniques needed to keep the operating room sterile and promote patient safety.
Compassionate Patient Care
Build your interpersonal skills to help you promote successful and compassionate patient care, both inside and outside the operating room.
What Types of Classes Will I Take?
- STS 1005C
- On Campus
- 4 Credits
- STS 2180C
- On Campus
- 4 Credits
- STS 2304
- On Campus
- 8 Credits
Fundamentals of Surgical Technology
Orients students to surgery and technology and prepares them for scrub and circular duties.
Surgical Procedures III
Expands on the duties and responsibilities in the role of scrub in the field of surgical technology, as well as explores specialty surgery areas.
Surgical Tech Practicum I
Provides students with a clinical experience that includes a solid introduction to the operating room, as well as scrub and circulating routines.
22 Courses to Complete
92 Credit Hours
Estimate Your Tuition
Rasmussen College is committed to making education more affordable for all students. Our tuition estimating tool can help you visualize the cost of your degree and see what savings opportunities are available to help you achieve it.
What Should I Know Before I Enroll?
Entrance Requirements
Entrance requirements for the School of Health Sciences vary by program. To learn more and receive help planning your healthcare career path, contact an admissions advisor who will speak to you about: immunizations, background checks and TEAS scores.
Transfer Student
We believe in giving credit where it’s due. We will provide a transfer credit eligibility estimate quickly with one-day turnaround without needing a formal transcript—any kind of graduation record will do in order to produce an estimate. Talk to an admissions advisor today or explore our Transfer Policy page to review our seamless credit policies designed to maximize credits, potentially save money and expedite graduation
Help Paying for College
Higher education should be a manageable investment. Talk to an admissions advisor and learn how these programs can make it more affordable with Flex Choice® learning options, loans and grants, scholarship opportunities and corporate and military discounts.
Where Can I Find a Surgical Technologist Program Near Me?
At Rasmussen College, we want our courses to be available on your schedule, not the other way around. Select programs are available for enrollment through a specific campus and nationally online, but students complete the courses online and are able to utilize online and on-campus support and resources. See below to find out where you can find a Surgical Technologist program near you.
- Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and the number of courses completed each term.
- 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.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, [career information accessed May 30, 2018] www.bls.gov/ooh/. Employment conditions in your area may vary.