Associate of Science in Surgical Technology - Online

Program Description

This surgical technology program is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to function in the operating room or as an important member of the surgical team along with surgeons, nurses, and other medical personnel to ensure proper surgical care before, during, and after a surgical procedure. Each student will be prepared for entry-level surgical technology positions in the operating room or surgical setting. Enrollment is limited to specific partnership affiliations.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of their program, the student should be able to:

To prepare competent entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
Integrate a comprehensive understanding of medical terminology into the practice of surgical technology
Apply basic understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and microbiology as it applies to surgical procedures
Demonstrate consistent proficiency in the application of aseptic technique in all aspects of the surgical care of patients
Demonstrate basic competence in the safe and proper use of surgical instruments, supplies, and equipment used to provide patient care in the surgical environment
Communicate effectively and professionally with all members of the surgical team
Work effectively and respectively with a diverse population

Program Entry Requirements

Graduation from a Diploma in Sterile Processing program or program equivalent.

Potential Occupational Titles

Potential occupational titles for this program include, but are not limited to, surgical technologist.

Program Content

A minimum of 60.00 semester credit hours is required for graduation.

Required Courses

All courses, 33.00 semester credit hours, are required.

HC 101 - Medical Terminology Semester Credit Hours: 1.00
ST 115 - Introduction to Surgical Services Semester Credit Hours: 2.00
ST 120 - Sterile Processing Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
ST 125 - Surgical Instrumentation Semester Credit Hours: 2.00
ST 130 - Pharmacology Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
ST 135 - O.R. Theory and Fundamentals Semester Credit Hours: 1.00
ST 140 - Surgical Procedures Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
ST 205 - O.R. Skills Lab I Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
ST 215 - O.R. Skills Lab II Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
ST 225 - Clinical Practicum I Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
ST 235 - Clinical Practicum II Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
ST 245 - Clinical Practicum III Semester Credit Hours: 4.00
ST 255 - Certified Surgical Technologist Preparation Semester Credit Hours: 2.00

Required Courses in General Education

Students enrolled in this associate degree must complete a minimum of 25.00 semester credit hours in general education distributed among the following disciplines. The Herzing University General Education offerings are listed below. Refer to the General Education section of this catalog for Herzing University courses that would satisfy these requirements.

9.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications

EN 104 English Composition I
EN 111 Information Literacy
EN 116 Speech

3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities

HU 140 Cultural Diversity

3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics

MA 109 College Algebra

7.00 Semester Credit Hours in Science

SC 144 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
SC 166 Microbiology

3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social and Behavioral Sciences

PS 101 Psychology

Special general education grading requirements for surgical technology support courses

The following general education courses must be completed with a grade of “C” (70%) or better for a student to be continued in the Surgical Technology program:

SC 144 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
MA 109 College Algebra

All other general education courses must be passed with a grade of “D” (60%) or better to be continued in the Surgical Technology program.

A student who is dropped from the program for failing to achieve the minimum grade specified in the general education courses, but who otherwise meets the academic standards of the University, may transfer to another Herzing degree program and/or may reapply to the Surgical Technology program in a future semester.

Personal and Professional Development Courses

2.00 semester credit hours are required.

PD 121 - Professional Development I Semester Credit Hours: 1.00
PD 202 - Professional Development II Semester Credit Hours: 1.00