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Curriculum and Lecture

The organizing framework includes unifying concepts, core abilities, and program outcomes based on the Association of Surgical Technologists Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology Seventh Edition. The curriculum is designed to assist the student in accomplishing program goals. Each course contributes to the knowledge and skills needed in the development of a Surgical Technologist employed in today’s operating room.

Course Sequence

Each course in the SURGT program is foundational for subsequent courses. Students must receive a "C" or better in each course.

Math and English Placement Tests must be taken prior to Math and English course registration.

Spring Cohort

Fall 1st Semester (14 credits)

  • CSPD1111: Central Sterile Processing & Dist.(3cr) 
  • SURGT1001: Surg. Asepsis & Sterile Tech. (4cr)
  • Math 1100 or above (3 credits)
  • ANAT 1551/1571 (4 credits)


Spring 2nd Semester (13 credits)

  • ANAT 1552/1572 (4 credits)
  • SURGT1000: Ethical Considerations in Health(3cr)
  • CSPD1211: Cent. Ster. Proc. & Dist. Practicum(3cr)
  • HLTHS 1110 (3 credits)

Fall 3rd Semester (9 credits)

  • ENGLI 1101 (3 credits)
  • SPEEC1100 (3 credits)
  • Social & Behavioral Science Course (3 credits)

Spring 4th Semester (12 credits)

First 8 weeks

  • SURGT 1101: Surgical Health and Technological Sciences (3 credits)
  • SURGT 1102: Surgical Technology Skills (3 credits)

Second 8 weeks

  • SURGT 1201: Introduction to Surgical Technology (3 credits)
  • SURGT 1202: Surgical Technology Practicum I (3 credits)

Summer 5th Semester (6 credits)

  • SURGT 1301: Surgical Procedures I (3 credits)
  • SURGT 1302: Surgical Technology Practicum II (3 credits)

Fall 6th Semester (10 credits)

First 8 weeks

  • SURGT 1401: Surgical Procedures II (3 credits)
  • SURGT 1402: Surgical Technology Practicum III (3 credits)

Second 8 weeks

  • SURGT 1500: Professional Practice (4 credits)

Fall Cohort

Fall 1st Semester (14 credits)

  • CSPD1111: Central Sterile Processing & Dist.(3cr) 
  • SURGT1001: Surg. Asepsis & Sterile Tech. (4cr)
  • Math 1100 or above (3 credits)
  • ANAT 1551/1571 (4 credits)

Spring 2nd Semester (13 credits)

  • ANAT 1552/1572 (4 credits)
  • SURGT1000: Ethical Considerations in Health(3cr)
  • CSPD1211: Cent. Ster. Proc. & Dist. Practicum(3cr)
  • HLTHS 1110 (3 credits)


Fall 3rd Semester (15 credits)

First 8 weeks

  • SURGT 1101: Surgical Health and Technological Sciences (3 credits)
  • SURGT 1102: Surgical Technology Skills (3 credits)

Second 8 weeks

  • SURGT 1201: Introduction to Surgical Technology (3 credits)
  • SURGT 1202: Surgical Technology Practicum I (3 credits)
  • ENGLI 1101 (3 credits)

Spring 4th Semester (15 credits)

First 8 weeks

  • SURGT 1301: Surgical Procedures I (3 credits)
  • SURGT 1302: Surgical Technology Practicum II (3 credits)
  • Behavioral/Social Science (3 credits)

Second 8 weeks

  • SURGT 1401: Surgical Procedures II (3 credits)
  • SURGT 1402: Surgical Technology Practicum III (3 credits)
  • Social & Behavioral Science Course (3 credits)

Summer 5th Semester (7 credits)

  • SURGT 1500: Professional Practice (4 credits)
  • SPEEC 1100 (3 credits)

**Minimum 6 credits must be taken to ensure financial aid coverage, save SPEEC 1100 for this semester if you are planning to receive financial aid.

Certified Surgical Technologist Exam

The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) National Certification Examination will be scheduled at COD on the last day of the fall semester. This exam is 175 questions and is a required component of the course. You must score 98 on the exam to pass.

Readmission Policy

Students who withdraw, or fail, from any SURGT lecture course (1101, 1201, 1301, & 1401), may not continue clinicals and may re-take the course during the next available cohort.  Upon completion of the lecture course, the student may return to clinical.  The student must pass the SURGT1102 Final Evaluation with a 78% or above, prior to clinical course registration. 

Students who withdraw, or fail, from any SURGT clinical course (1202, 1302, & 1402), may not continue clinicals and may re-take the course during the next available cohort. The student must pass the SURGT1102 Final Evaluation with a 78% or above, prior to clinical course registration. 

Please note, that a student may only be readmitted into the program once.

Program Contact Information

Please visit the Program Contacts page for detailed information.