Surgical Technology Program Online and On Campus
Surgical Technology Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
Specialized training for a specialized career.
The Surgical Technology program prepares students to work as valuable members of a surgical team, which most commonly includes surgeons, anesthesiologists, and circulating nurses. Surgical Technologists assist in surgical procedures under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, and other surgical personnel. They perform a variety of critical hands-on tasks, including:
- Preparing operating rooms by setting up surgical instruments and equipment
- Preparing patients for surgery by washing, shaving, and disinfecting incision sites
- Passing instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeons during surgical procedures
- Maintaining a proper sterile field throughout the surgical process
- Monitoring and assessing operating room conditions
Berkeley's Surgical Technology degree program is offered at the following locations:
*The online degree completion option is available only to individuals who completed a Surgical Technology program accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Graduates of the degree completion program are not eligible to sit for the Certified Surgical Technology exam using the Berkeley College degree transcript to fulfill NBSTSA eligibility requirements. Berkeley graduates who completed the certificate program and returned for the degree completion are eligible and should contact the program chair for further instructions.
**Effective January 11, 2022 the Woodbridge campus is not approved by the ARC/STSA as a satellite location. Students who matriculated or completed the Surgical Technology program offered at the Woodbridge campus before January 11, 2022 will be graduates of a CAAHEP-accredited program and eligible to participate in the CST exam. Effective January 1, 2022 Berkeley College is not accepting new students in the Surgical Technology program offered at the Woodbridge campus.
Student Testimonial
“I remember touring the campus – looking into a classroom and seeing students in the program in scrubs with their mask on. It called to me. Right then and there, I knew that was what I wanted to do. I had no hesitation.”
-Jennifer Ruesta, Surgical Technology Alumna
Surgical Technology Students Benefit From:
- A strong foundation in both the theory and techniques of surgical technology
- Hands-on learning in on-site surgical laboratories that simulate the surgical environment
- Valuable, practical experience gained through the completion of clinical practicums at off-campus healthcare facilities, under the supervision of instructors and professional practitioners
- Liberal arts and sciences courses that provide students with a foundation of skills and knowledge necessary to reason clearly and communicate effectively
Programmatic Accreditation and Certification
The Surgical Technology program offered at the Woodland Park campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA). The program has been placed on Probationary Accreditation as of May 20, 2022.
Students who complete a CAAHEP-accredited Surgical Technology program are eligible to participate in the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam, a national credentialing exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
Effective January 11, 2022 the Woodbridge campus is not approved by the ARC/STSA as a satellite location. Students who matriculated or completed the Surgical Technology program offered at the Woodbridge campus before January 11, 2022 will be graduates of a CAAHEP-accredited program and eligible to participate in the CST exam. Effective January 1, 2022 Berkeley College is not accepting new students in the Surgical Technology program offered at the Woodbridge campus.
Thirty-one percent of Berkeley College’s Surgical Technology students who graduated from the CAAHEP accredited program between August 1, 2020, and July 31, 2021, passed the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam on their first attempt. This pass rate is below the national average of 73.5 percent for on-campus Web Based Testing (WBT), according to statistics from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
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The Surgical Technology degree program prepares students to work as valuable members of a surgical team, which most commonly includes surgeons, anesthesiologists, and circulating nurses.
Students engage in:
- A strong foundation in both the theory and techniques of surgical technology
- Hands-on learning in on-site surgical laboratories that simulate the surgical environment
- Valuable, practical experience gained through the completion of clinical practicums at off-campus healthcare facilities, under the supervision of instructors and professional practitioners
- Liberal arts and sciences courses that provide students with a foundation of skills and knowledge necessary to reason clearly and communicate effectively
The Surgical Technology degree program at the Woodland Park campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) based on the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA).
Students who complete a CAAHEP accredited Surgical Technology program are eligible to participate in the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam, a national credentialing exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Passing this examination is required to work as a Surgical Technologist in some states, including New Jersey and New York.
Effective January 11, 2022 the Woodbridge campus is not approved by the ARC/STSA as a satellite location. Students who matriculated or completed the Surgical Technology program offered at the Woodbridge campus before January 11, 2022 will be graduates of a CAAHEP-accredited program and eligible to participate in the CST exam. Effective January 1, 2022 Berkeley College is not accepting new students in the Surgical Technology program offered at the Woodbridge campus.
The College considers students for admission to degree and certificate programs on the basis of future potential, the motivation and interest to succeed in a chosen profession, and past academic achievement.
Graduation from high school or the equivalent is a basic requirement for admission to degree and certificate programs. In evaluating candidates, the Committee on Admissions takes into consideration your individual interests, your motivation to succeed in a chosen profession, and prior academic achievement. Basic requirements for admission include graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent and an entrance exam or SAT/ACT scores. Applicants to the School of Health Studies, and the Business Data Science program have additional requirements. Documentation of successful completion of high school or the equivalent must be submitted to the College prior to starting classes.
A personal interview is strongly recommended. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Director of Admissions at the campus of their choice to arrange for an appointment with an Admissions Associate. For further information, students may also call the College at 866-317-6087 or email info@BerkeleyCollege.edu.
Berkeley maintains a rolling admissions policy, so students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Applicants will be notified of a decision as soon as all credentials have been evaluated. Certain programs may have specific application deadline requirements.
For further questions about the enrollment process, schedule an appointment with an associate.
No. The Surgical Technology program is only offered at the Woodland Park campus. Individuals who already possess the CST credential and who are interested in obtaining an Associate degree may take the program through Berkeley College Online®.
Effective January 11, 2022 the Woodbridge campus is not approved by the ARC/STSA as a satellite location. Students who matriculated or completed the Surgical Technology program offered at the Woodbridge campus before January 11, 2022 will be graduates of a CAAHEP-accredited program and eligible to participate in the CST exam. Effective January 1, 2022 Berkeley College is not accepting new students in the Surgical Technology program offered at the Woodbridge campus.
Surgical Technologists assist in surgical procedures under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, and other surgical personnel. Most work in hospitals, but some work in outpatient care centers or in offices of physicians who perform outpatient surgery.
- Employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow 8 percent through 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.*
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Surgical Technologists on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm (visited June 3, 2020). National statistics and projections may vary by location.*
