Surgical Technology: AAS

Associate in Applied Science | 63 credit hours minimum

School of Health Professions

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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, the most recent cohorts for wage and completion data are six years before the current academic year. The 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

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

Additional Program Information

Academic Progression Policy

• 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.
• Should a student receive a failing grade or withdraw from a Surgical Technology (ST) course, the following rules apply:
  • The student will be not be permitted to continue in the Surgical Technology program, but may be eligible for readmission and may repeat the course the next time it is offered. The student must notify the Program Coordinator of their intent to seek readmission by responding to the dismissal letter by the stated deadline. Failure to do so will result in loss of readmission eligibility.
  • Students eligible for readmission are permitted one opportunity to repeat a Surgical Technology course. Readmission and reenrollment must occur within one year of the semester in which the course was failed or withdrawn.
  • Students seeking readmission to the program will be provided with an individualized plan determined by the Program Coordinator. This plan may include, but is not limited to, repeating failed course(s) and retaking required corequisite courses, auditing courses, meeting with the Academic Support Center, updating immunization requirements, and repeating physical examinations, background checks, and drug screenings. Students seeking readmission during the second year of the program may be required to complete additional on-campus laboratory sessions to demonstrate continued competency and ensure they have maintained the skills necessary for safe patient care prior to returning to clinical education. Failure to complete the assigned requirements by the established deadlines will result in loss of readmission eligibility.
  •  Students are eligible for readmission only once. Any student who has been readmitted to the program and subsequently withdraws from or earns a grade of "D" or "F" in any Surgical Technology course will be dismissed and will not be eligible for further readmission.
  • Students who become ineligible for readmission due to exceeding the program's course failure and readmission limits must wait a minimum of five years from the date of their most recent failed Surgical Technology course before reapplying to the program. If readmitted after this period, the student must restart the Surgical Technology curriculum from the beginning and meet all admission, program, and graduation requirements in effect at the time of readmission.
  • Students dismissed from the program, or who receive a failing grade as a result of behavioral misconduct, unethical conduct, academic integrity violations, patient safety concerns, confidentiality violations, falsification of records, or disciplinary action by the College or a clinical affiliate, will not be eligible for readmission to the program.
• 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. Students will not be able to progress in the SurgicalTechnology program if they are unable to enroll in required courses due to failing grades in a prerequisite general education course.

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 2026, 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 within five years of applying to the program) 

Full-Time Academic Plan 

Critical Courses: Critical courses are most important to a student's declared major and most strongly predict later success in the major.  A critical course requires a minimal grade to progress to higher-level courses.

Exploratory Courses: Exploratory courses are first-semester courses that introduce the program and career field.

Gateway Courses: Gateway courses are courses in many career pathways that must be completed before progression in higher-level courses. These may be the same as critical and/or exploratory courses.