Diploma in Health Science - Major in Surgical Technology (SURT)

52 Semester Hours

The Surgical Technology Diploma is designed to prepare individuals for employment as surgical technologists. Surgical technologists are integral members of the surgical team who work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses, and other surgical personnel in delivering patient care and assuming appropriate responsibilities before, during, and after surgery. The primary responsibility of the surgical technologist is to maintain the sterile field while ensuring that all other members of the surgical team adhere to aseptic technique. Program graduates will be eligible to take the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist (LCC-ST) national certifying examination and will be qualified for employment as scrub surgical technologists, circulating surgical technologists, second assisting surgical technologists, emergency room technicians and labor/delivery technicians.

The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology (ARC-ST) (http://www.arcst.org/), a committee recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) (http://www.caahep.org/).

Admission Requirements

Admission Process

  • Must meet the admission and graduation requirements for all Health Sciences students listed at the beginning of the Health Sciences section.

The Surgical Technology Program has a limited enrollment and students must apply for admission. The applicant must:

  • SAT (minimum Verbal 470 and Math460) or ACT (minimum 19 composite)
  • Completion and grade of "C" or higher in high school or college prep courses in biology and chemistry
  • GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale in Health Sciences Preparatory certificate (must complete AHS 102, (Medical Terminology); BIO 115, (Basic Microbiology), and BIO 210, (Anatomy and Physiology I) with a "C" or higher PRIOR to admission to surgical courses (SUR 101).
  • Must have documented retinal eye examination in addition to required physical examination.

Progression Standards - After Program Entry

Failure to meet progression standards results in suspension from the program.

  • After admission, students must maintain a minimum 2.0 program GPA on program curriculum courses at Central Carolina Technical College in order to progress.
  • Must earn a minimum of a "C" or higher in each required curriculum course for the program. Students may retake courses completed with less than a "C" one time only.
  • Must successfully complete all components of a course (theory, clinical, drug calculation proficiency) in order to pass the course. Students who fail to complete a component will receive a grade of "F" for the course regardless of the time in the semester and are not eligible to receive a "W" through the withdrawal process.
  • Students must complete all course requirements within two years of starting date of first clinical course (SUR 101).
  • Students are limited to two attempts at successful completion of any surgical technology program (including Central Carolina Technical College). A withdrawal "W" constitutes an attempt at a Health Sciences (SUR) course and will count as one attempt to complete the program.
  • Students must maintain annual CPR (Health Care Provider) and tuberculosis test (PPD) to remain in the program.

Transfers or Readmissions

  • Students who have withdrawn or have been suspended from a surgical technology program at Central Carolina or any other educational institution must request admission/readmission to the program.
  • Students must have a cumulative program GPA of 2.0 for readmission or transfer.
  • Students, who have withdrawn or have been dismissed more than once from any surgical technology program, including the Central Carolina Technical College ST Program, are ineligible for admission or readmission. However, students may petition the Dean of Health Sciences for special consideration if they have withdrawn from the program due to extenuating circumstances. The final decision for an exception rests with the Dean.
  • Students seeking transfer must meet all admission requirements and submit syllabi, course outlines, and catalogs from the former institution to the department for review. Transfer evaluations are considered on an individual basis.
  • Students seeking transfer with previous enrollment in a surgical technology program must submit one letter of reference from the Dean or Director at the previous institution.
  • Students seeking transfer or readmission must follow specific guidelines to ensure theoretical knowledge and clinical competencies are current.

To complete this program, courses should be taken in the following sequence.

Class *Lab Credit
Initial Core Courses
AHS 102 Medical Terminology 3 0 3
BIO 115 Basic Microbiology 2 3 3
BIO 210 Anatomy and Physiology I 3 3 4
Total Semester Credits 8 6 10
Summer Semester
BIO 211 Anatomy and Physiology II 3 3 4
ENG 101 English Composition I 3 0 3
SUR 101 Intro to Surgical Technology 3 6 5
Total Semester Credits 9 9 12
Fall Semester
PSY 201 General Psychology 3 0 3
SUR 102 Applied Surgical Technology 4 3 5
SUR 110 Introduction to Surgical Practicum 4 3 5
Total Semester Credits 11 6 13
Spring Semester
SUR 111 Basic Surgical Practicum*** 2 15 7
SUR 113 Advanced Surgical Practicum*** 1 15 6
SUR 120 Surgical Seminar 2 0 2
Total Semester Credits 5 30 15


* 3 Lab hours equals 1 credit hour

*** Courses offered in 8 week term.