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Associate of Science Degree in Surgical Technology

Associate of Science Degree in Surgical Technology

A Surgical Technology Associate Degree of Science Degree will help you work in an operating room.

Surgical Technologists are also called "Surgical Technicians," "Surg Techs," "Scrub Techs,” "Operating Room Technicians," or "OR Techs,” and are crucial to the operation of a hospital. A Surg Tech assists in surgeries under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. This program provides classroom and lab education as well as a supervised clinical experience. You will take courses in Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Medical Terminology. Other topics covered include the care and safety of patients before, during, and after surgery, as well as aseptic techniques, and surgical procedures. You will also learn sterilization techniques, prevention and control of infection, and proper handling of surgical instruments, supplies, drugs, and solutions. Our program can be completed in 21 months in our evening/online classes.

Program Information

What does a Surgical Technologist do?

Surgical technologists are crucial to the operation of a hospital. A Surg Tech assists in surgeries under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel.  Our program is CAAHEP accredited and provides classroom and lab education, as well as supervised clinical experience. Graduates of this program are eligible to take the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam. 

Your duties will include preparing and sterilizing the OR for surgery, transporting patients to and from the OR, passing instruments to the attending surgeon, retracting the patient’s tissues, and suturing incisions. When the surgery is over, surgical techs are often tasked with dressing the incision site, transferring the patient back to their room, and setting up the OR for the next surgery. 

What You will study:

  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Sterilization techniques
  • Pharmacology and medical terminology
  • Patient care
  • Surgical procedures 

The Surgical Technology program is offered at the Sullivan University Dupont Circle building located at 4000 Dupont Circle, Louisville, Kentucky, 40207

As Surgical Tech

Surgical Technology Program Accreditation Information

The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), upon recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC-ST/SA). In 2017 CAAHEP awarded the Sullivan University (formally Spencerian College) Surgical Technology Program continuing accreditation through the years of 2017 - 2027. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam.

Accreditation Contact Information

CAAHEP

ARC-ST/SA

Commission On Accreditation Of Allied Health Education Programs Caahep Logo 150x150

The ARC/STSA is the only CAAHEP-recognized Committee on Accreditation for education programs in surgical technology and surgical assisting. The ARC/STSA is a private 501 (c)(3) non-profit accreditation services body providing national recognition for higher education programs in surgical technology and surgical assisting, in collaboration with the Commission on Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), in order to promote quality surgical patient care through quality education.

Courses

Total Credit Hours: 92

For departmental guidelines, policies, and/or procedures, refer to the Surgical Technology Department's Addendum to the student handbook.

*The clinical requirement consists of 480 hours.

Course

Title

Credit Hours

SUR 100

6.00

SUR102

4.00

SUR 174

4.00

PSY 214

4.00

SUR 178

4.00

SUR 199

6.00

SUR 200

6.00

ENG 102

4.00

SUR 201

14.00

SUR 202

14.00

MTH 115

4.00

SUR 301

2.00

MED 176

4.00

ENG 101

4.00

MED 211

4.00

MED 172

4.00

MED 173

4.00

Total Credit Hours: 92

For departmental guidelines, policies, and/or procedures, refer to the Surgical Technology Department's Addendum to the student handbook.

*The clinical requirement consists of 480 hours.

CAAHEP Standard IV.V. - Outcomes Assessment

Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Exam

Programs should report the total number of students graduating and the number who passed the CST® certification exam on the first attempt. Programs are required to meet the thresholds of 100% participation rate and 70% pass rate.

Sullivan University's (formerly Spencerian College) Outcomes Assessment Exam: CST Exam Achievements

Reporting Year

Number of students/graduates who took exam

Number of students/graduates who passed exam

2023 (8/1/2021-7/31/2022)

(9/9) 100%

(5/9) 55.55%

2022 (8/1/2020-7/31/2021)

(8/8)100% 

(8/11) 72.73%

2021 (8/1/2019-7/31/2020)

(12/12)100% 

(10/12) 83%

2020 (8/1/2018-7/31/2019)

(10/10)100% 

(8/10) 80%

2019 (8/1/2017-7/31/2018)

(8/8)100% 

(7/8) 87.5%

2018 (8/1/2016 - 7/31/2017)

15/15 (100%)

15/15 (100%)

2017 (8/1/2015-7/31/2016)

13/13 (100%)

13/13 (100%)

2016 (8/1/2014-7/31/2015)

5/5 (100%)

5/5 (100%)

2015 (8/1/2013-7/31/2014)

4/4 (100%)

4/4 (100%)

2014 (8/1/2012-7/31/2013)

15/15 (100%)

14/15 (93.3%)

Retention and Placement statistics.

ARCSTSA annual reporting year

Retention rate: Number of students in the cohort/ number who completed

Job Placement rate: Number of graduates available for placement/ number in field and/or Continuing Education

2023 (8/1/2021-7/31/2022)

(9/25) 36%

(9/9) 100%

2022 (8/1/2020-7/31/2021)

(11/29) 37.93% 

(11/11) 100% 

2021 (8/1/2019-7/31/2020)

(12/22) 54.54% 

(12/12) 100% 

2020 (8/1/2018-7/31/2019)

(10/14) 71.42% 

(9/10) 90%

2019 (8/1/2017-7/31/2018)

(8/23) 35%

(12/12) 100% 

2018 (8/1/2016-7/31/2017)

(15/23) 65% 

(14/15) 93% 

2017 (8/1/2015-7/31/2016)

(13/24) 54% 

(13/13) 100% 

2016 (8/1/2014-7/31/2015)

(5/11) 45% 

(5/5) 100% 

2015 (8/1/2013-7/31/2014)

(4/12) 33% 

(4/4) 100%