Surgical Technology: AAS

Surgical Technology: AAS

Associate in Applied Science | 63 credit hours minimum

Area of Interest: Health Professions

Program Website

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Program Description:

The Surgical Technology Associate in Applied Science program prepares students for entry level positions as surgical technologists through classroom instruction, laboratory skill practice, and clinical experience. 

Students will gain theoretical knowledge of the surgical environment and develop skills necessary to prepare supplies and equipment, to maintain aseptic conditions, and to assist surgeons and the surgical team by passing instrumentation during operations.

Persons interested in this program should possess a stable temperament, manual dexterity, physical stamina, and the ability to integrate and prioritize a variety of activities.

Students are required to complete a health history, immunization record, physical exam and a drug and criminal background check prior to attending hospital clinical education.

Employment opportunities include hospital surgical departments, outpatient surgery centers, organ procurement centers and central supply processing units.

This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in cooperation with the Accreditation Review Council on Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC-STSA).  

Graduates of this program are qualified to take the National Board Exam offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) to become a certified surgical technologist (CST).  

Locations.  This program is offered in its entirety at Forest Park. 

Cost of Attendance.  For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES

Program Career and Salary Information.  Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours, program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at the following URL: https://scorecard.mo.gov/scorecard/. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree or credential type of interest. 

The following limitations to the data apply: Information provided is based on the most recent cohorts available. Typically, most recent cohorts for wage and completion data are six years prior to the current academic year. Time to complete a program of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester.

Interested in this program? Start the enrollment process by visiting the Apply to STLCC page.   

At the completion of the program, students are expected to:

  1. understand asepsis and sterile technique.
  2. explain sterilization, disinfection, and antisepsis.
  3. demonstrate knowledge of specialty surgical procedures.
  4. understand the use of surgical pharmacology and anesthesia.
  5. exhibit knowledge of equipment, supplies, and instrumentation.
  6. discuss patient care concepts.
  7. maintain a safe environment in the surgical technologist role.
  8. demonstrate the ability to perform routine tasks in the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative areas.
  9. communicate effectively in the healthcare environment.
  10. recognize the value of teamwork and function as a member of a team.
  11. exhibit a strong sense of ethical behavior and surgical conscience.
  12. respond calmly and effectively under pressure.
  13. exhibit self-direction and responsibility for actions.

Missouri Civics Examination.  Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.

Program of Study

Prerequisites:
The following courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better prior to applying for admission into the program.
Elementary Applied Mathematics (or higher)
Introductory Biology I (MOTR BIOL 100L) 1
Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
General Education
ENG 101College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100)3
BIO 203General Microbiology I4
BIO 207Anatomy and Physiology I (MOTR LIFS 150LAP)4
BIO 208Anatomy and Physiology II4
XXX xxxSocial & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement3
SOC 101Introduction to Sociology (MOTR SOCI 101)3
or PSY 200 General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100)
XXX xxxHumanities or Communications Elective3
Health and Wellness Requirement
XXX xxxHealth and Wellness Elective2
Program Requirements
ST 120Principles of Surgical Technology3
ST 122Medical/Surgical Terminology3
ST 124Clinical Foundations3
ST 126Surgical Equipment and Technological Concepts2
ST 128Perioperative Case Management3
ST 220Procedures I3
ST 230Procedures II3
ST 224Clinical Practice I6
ST 234Clinical Practice II6
ST 238Professional Issues2
ST 228Clinical Seminar1
ST 215Surgical Pharmacology2
Total Credit Hours63

1 Math and Science courses must be completed within five calendar years of entering the program or by permission of program director.

Additional Program Information

Academic Progress Policy

  1. Surgical technology students must maintain a 2.0 GPA in all program required courses. Any grade below a “C” is considered failing in the Surgical Technology program.

  2. Should a student receive a failing grade or withdraw from a Surgical Technology (ST) course, the following rules apply:

    • The student will be ineligible to continue in the program. The student may reenroll in the course the following year the course is offered. The student must apply for re-admission into the program and follow all admission procedures prior to the fall start date (even if enrolling in a spring course).

    • Any Surgical Technology course may be repeated only one time, within one year, should a student receive a failing grade or withdraw due to reasons other than behavioral issues.

    • Dismissals or failing grades due to behavioral issues will not be re-admitted to the program.

  3. A minimum grade of “C” must be achieved for all general education college courses in the program curriculum (sciences, sociology, etc). Please note that some general education courses are prerequisites for ST courses. A student will not be awarded the degree in Surgical Technology until all courses are satisfactorily completed and will forfeit option for taking the CST exam if program requirements are not completed on time.

Missouri Civics Examination.  Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.

PLEASE NOTE:  If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2024, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements.  Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.

Program Prerequisites (to be completed with a grade of "C" or better prior to applying to the program) 

MTH 108Elementary Applied Mathematics (or higher)3
BIO 111Introductory Biology I (MOTR BIOL 100L)4
Total Credit Hours7

Full-Time Academic Plan 

New PlanGrids
First Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
BIO 203 General Microbiology I4BIO 111 or BIO 140 with a minimum grade of "C", or college-level course equivalent, and Reading Proficiency
BIO 207 Anatomy and Physiology I (MOTR LIFS 150LAP)4BIO 111 or BIO 140 or CHM 101 with a minimum grade of "C", or college-level course equivalent, and Reading Proficiency
ST 120 Principles of Surgical Technology3Current enrollment in the Surgical Technology Program or permission of the program director and Reading ProficiencyCorequisite: ST 122
ST 122 Medical/Surgical Terminology3Current enrollment in the Surgical Technology Program or permissions of program director, and Reading ProficiencyCorequisite: ST 120
Credit Hours14
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ST 124 Clinical Foundations3ST 120, ST 122 with minimum grades of "C", BIO 207 with a minimum grade of "C" or permission of program director, and Reading ProficiencyCorequisite: ST 128
ST 126 Surgical Equipment and Technological Concepts2Current enrollment in the Surgical Technology Program, ST 120, ST 122 and BIO 203 all with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency
ST 128 Perioperative Case Management3ST 120 and ST 122, both with minimum grades of "C" and Reading ProficiencyCorequisite: ST 124 and ST 126
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (MOTR SOCI 101)
or General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100)
3Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079May complete prior to or during the program
BIO 208 Anatomy and Physiology II4BIO 207 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyMay complete prior to or during the program
Credit Hours15
Summer Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ST 215 Surgical Pharmacology2Current enrollment in the Surgical Technology Program, ST 120 with a minimum grade of "C", and Reading Proficiency
XXX xxxHealth and Wellness Elective2 HW 111 is suggested.
ENG 101 College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100)3Placement score or ENG 030 or ENG 070 with a grade of "C" or better or recommendation of department and Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079May complete prior to or during the program
Credit Hours7
Second Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ST 220 Procedures I3ST 124, ST 126, ST 128, ST 215, BIO 208, all with minimum grades of "C" and Reading ProficiencyCorequisite: ST 224
ST 224 Clinical Practice I6Reading ProficiencyCorequisite: ST 220 and ST 228
ST 228 Clinical Seminar1Reading ProficiencyCorequisite: ST 224
XXX xxxSocial & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement3 May complete prior to or during the program
Credit Hours13
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ST 230 Procedures II3ST 220, ST 224 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading ProficiencyCorequisite: ST 234 and ST 238
ST 234 Clinical Practice II6ST 228 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyCorequisite: ST 230
ST 238 Professional Issues2ST 220 and ST 224 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency
XXX xxxHumanities or Communications Elective3 May complete prior to or during the program
Credit Hours14
Total Credit Hours63

*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.

**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.

*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice.  Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor.