Before you begin, you’ll need to meet key health and safety requirements set by our clinical partners. See what’s required and take your next step.
Surgical Technology
To begin, connect with an advisor who can guide you through program options and next steps, including the application process.
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Surgical Technology is designed for students with an interest in working in the surgical setting and caring for patients that are undergoing a surgical procedure. Students will apply manual dexterity and knowledge of surgical technology under the direction of a surgeon and in conjunction with the surgical team. At the completion of the program, graduates may seek employment in a hospital, surgical center, other outpatient settings, or surgical equipment industry and veterinary services. In addition, the AAS degree includes common core classes with the Hospital Central Services certificate program. Upon completion of the Surgical Technology program, students take the national Certified Surgical Technologist exam (CST). Students also have the option within the program to complete the 400-hour Hospital Central Service Technology practicum to be eligible to sit for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification examination from the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).
Details
Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Surgical Technology (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3673
Total credits required
70.5-97
Catalog Year
2026-2027
Effective Term
Fall 2025
Admission criteria
1. Formal application and admission to the program.
2. Level One Fingerprint Clearance.
3. Background check requirements: Admission to an Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District Background Check Standards. Upon conditional program enrollment, the student must comply with all requirements of the MCCCD Background Check Policy.
4. Clinical health and safety requirements must be met prior to enrollment in any program of study course. Upon conditional program enrollment, the student must comply with all requirements of the MCCCD Clinical Health and Safety Policy and drug testing protocols.
5. Inability to comply with background check requirements and/or clinical health and safety requirements at the start of classes or during the program may result in cancellation of enrollment.
6. There are limited spaces available in the Surgical Technology program. Only students who have completed all the general education and introductory courses noted above may have their name added to the queue of those waiting for an available space in a cohort.
7. The following general education and introductory courses must be completed with a 2.0 GPA to be added to the queue of those waiting for an available cohort space to begin the core curriculum: FYE (101 or 103), BIO201, BIO202, BIO205, (ENG101 or ENG107), (ENG102 or ENG108), (MAT150 or MAT151 or MAT152 or MAT155 or MAT156), and PHY101.
8. The program saves five seats on the waitlist for students who completed GWCC's HCS program in 2018 or later or who have current CRCST certification and are currently employed in the field.
Notes
Students must earn a grade of C (defined as 75%) or better in all courses to successfully complete the program.
What You'll Learn
- Demonstrate skills and scrubbing procedures in all specialties in the operating room environment.
- Demonstrate didactic comprehension of surgical technology professional skills by taking the Certified Surgical Technologist exam (CST).
- Apply skills of aseptic technique in a lab setting.
- Collaborate to enhance team communication skills.
- Engage in community activities for self and professional growth.
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Career Statistics
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Surgical Technologists
$55,610
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
- Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Fall Semester (Term 1)
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COM100 or COM110 or COM230 |
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Small Group Communication | SB, SCB or SB, SCB or SB, SCB | 3 | ||
| HCS/SGT100 | Fundamentals of Surgical Services | OR Current CRCST certification through HSPA and proof of current employment working in the field. (0) 0-5 | 0–5 | ||
| HCS/SGT102 | Basic Surgical Instrumentation for Surgical Services | 2 | |||
| HCS/SGT107 | Equipment and Supplies for Surgical Services | 1 | |||
| SGT135 | Instrument Handling I | 3 |
Spring Semester (Term 2)
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HCS/SGT152 | Advanced Surgical Instruments for Surgical Services | 2 | |||
| SGT155 | Instrument Handling II | 1 | |||
| SGT156 | Hospital Central Service Preceptorship for Surgical Technology | 0.5 | |||
| SGT165 | Surgical Procedures I | 4 | |||
| SGT180 | Pharmacology for Surgical Technology I | 2 | |||
| SOC101 or PSY101 |
Introduction to Sociology or Introduction to Psychology | SB, SCB or SB, SCB | 3 |
Summer Semester (Term 3)
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HCS154 | Hospital Central Service Practicum | This course is optional and may be taken to meet eligibility for the exam for Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification from the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). | 0–7 |
Fall Semester (Term 4)
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 | |
| HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | HU | 3 | ||
| SGT200 | Operating Room Preceptorship I | 1 | |||
| SGT205 | Operating Room Preceptorship II | 2 | |||
| SGT210 | Surgical Procedures II | 4 |
Spring Semester (Term 5)
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SGT220 | Operating Room Preceptorship III | 3 | |||
| SGT225 | Operating Room Preceptorship IV | 3 | |||
| SGT227 | Operating Room Preceptorship V | 3 | |||
| SGT260 | Surgical Procedures III | 2 | |||
| SGT275 | Certification Examinations Preparation | 2 |
Introductory Courses Only Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO201 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | NSI, SG | 4 | ||
| ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM | 3 | ||
| FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 | |||
| MAT150 or MAT151 or MAT152 or MAT155 or MAT156 |
College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions with Review or College Algebra/Functions with Review | OR Equivalent course or satisfactory completion of a higher-level mathematics course | MA, QNR or MA, QNR or MA or MA, QNR or MA, QNR | 3–6 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO202 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | SG | 4 | ||
| ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO205 | Microbiology | NSI, SG | 4 | ||
| HCC/RES109 | CPR for Health Care Provider | OR Proof of Current American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR Certification | 0–0.5 | ||
| HCC130 | Fundamentals in Health Care Delivery | OR Permission of GateWay Health Core Curriculum Coordinator | 0–3 | ||
| HCC145 or HCC146 |
Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals or Common Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals | OR Work experience or equivalent course education as evaluated by the GateWay Health Core Curriculum Coordinator | 0–3 | ||
| PHY101 | Introduction to Physics | NSI, SQ | 4 |
Course Area Key
- FYC = First-Year Composition
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts & Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- MA = Mathematics
- NSI = Natural Sciences
- QNR = Quantitative Reasoning
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SCB = Social and Behavioral Sciences
- SG = Natural Sciences General
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
- WCM = Written Communication
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=189132.
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.
Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Surgical Technology
While you’re on the waitlist, take time to explore courses, short-term programs, and scholarships that can help you reach your goals and keep you moving forward.
Explore your future in healthcare with resources that help you understand career paths, program requirements, and next steps so you can start preparing with confidence.