Surgical Technology Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

A Surgical Technology major prepares you to set up operating rooms and assist surgeons during procedures. Surgical technology programs teach sterile technique, surgical instruments, anatomy and operating room procedures, with clinical rotations in surgery departments.

A Surgical Technology major includes coursework in anatomy and physiology, sterile technique, surgical instruments and equipment, surgical procedures, and microbiology and more. You build skills such as aseptic technique, instrument handling, anticipating surgeon needs, and attention to detail. Programs often include clinical rotations. Typical degrees: certificate and associate degree.

Typical courses include anatomy and physiology, sterile technique, surgical instruments and equipment, surgical procedures, microbiology, and clinical rotations. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Surgical Technology is offered as certificate and associate awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years and an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study. Part-time study takes longer.

Certificate and associate degree. In the latest federal data, 67 colleges reported certificate awards and 382 colleges reported associate awards.

Career paths connected to surgical technology include surgical technologist, sterile processing technician, surgical assistant, and registered nurse. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include surgical technologist (typical training: 12–24 months), sterile processing technician (typical training: 3–12 months), surgical assistant (typical training: 1–2 years), and registered nurse (typical training: 2–4 years).

Surgical Technology majors build skills such as aseptic technique, instrument handling, anticipating surgeon needs, attention to detail, and working under pressure.

Good pairings include Biology (strengthens your anatomy and microbiology knowledge) and Healthcare Administration (prepares you for operating room coordinator roles).

Often, yes. Programs commonly include clinical rotations. Ask each college how its program arranges hands-on work.

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as surgical technologist, sterile processing technician, and surgical assistant, and enjoy subjects like anatomy and physiology and sterile technique. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes anatomy and physiology, sterile technique, and surgical instruments and equipment; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

404 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

Texas (38), California (26), Florida (26), North Carolina (19), and Illinois (18), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

315 of the colleges that offer surgical technology also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Surgical Technology prepares you to set up operating rooms and assist surgeons during procedures. Nursing prepares you to assess, treat and educate patients as part of a healthcare team. Surgical Technology leads to careers such as surgical technologist and sterile processing technician, while Nursing leads to careers such as registered nurse and licensed practical nurse.

Surgical Technology prepares you to set up operating rooms and assist surgeons during procedures. Healthcare Administration teaches you to manage the business side of hospitals, clinics and health systems. Surgical Technology leads to careers such as surgical technologist and sterile processing technician, while Healthcare Administration leads to careers such as medical and health services manager and medical administrative assistant.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to surgical technology, such as Surgical Technologist Training.