# Surgical Technology **Institution:** ECPI University **College:** Health Science **Sub-Program:** Advanced Clinical **Degree:** Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology **Canonical URL:** https://www.ecpi.edu/programs/surgical-technology-associate-degree-surgical-tech-program **Last Updated:** 2026-08-25T18:04:37+00:00 ## Surgical Technology Degree Overview The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Surgical Technology program is designed to prepare students for entry-level roles in the field of surgical technology. Surgical Technologists play a critical role in the operating room, assisting surgeons, nurses, and other team members to ensure safe and efficient surgical procedures. The curriculum includes coursework in surgical anatomy and physiology, aseptic techniques, surgical instrumentation, and the sequence of surgical procedures. Students also gain hands-on experience in maintaining sterile environments, preparing operating rooms, and handling surgical equipment. Surgical Technologists, also known as scrubs or surgical operating technicians, work under the supervision of surgeons and nurses to support patient care during surgery. They are responsible for ensuring that instruments and equipment are sterile, organized, and readily available to the surgical team. Through ECPI’s year-round accelerated schedule, students can earn their Associate degree in Surgical Technology in as little as **18-months**. - **66 Total Credits** — 18 Month Associate's Degree - **Life-Like Simulations** — Clinical Training Experience ### Knowledge and Skills This program prepares graduates with the following knowledge and skills: - **Surgical Procedures and Instruments** Understanding of the flow of surgical procedures from start to finish. Familiarity with various surgical instruments and their uses. - **Clinical Skills** Ability to function as a primary scrub in various surgical procedures and participate in all aspects of the operating room experience. - **Foundational Knowledge** Basic understanding of surgical anatomy and physiology. Entry-level knowledge of surgical technology and its role in healthcare. ## Program Structure and Learning Formats ### Locations - [Northern Virginia, VA](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/northern-virginia-va) - [Richmond, VA](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/richmond-va) ## Surgical Technology Curriculum The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Surgical Technology program ### Featured Courses - **Surgical Procedures I** — SUR120 This course introduces the student to skills including creation and maintenance of the sterile field, sterile and non-sterile equipment and supplies, and surgical counts. The students should be able to name and identify instruments, equipment and supplies used in the operative setting. The student will learn concepts related to wound healing and the devices and methods of wound closure, pre/intra/post-operative routines, patient skin prep, positioning and draping and urethral catheterization. - **Surgical Theory I** — SUR101 This course provides general introductory information for the surgical technology student. The student will learn the history and development of surgery, healthcare facilities organization and accreditation, physical environment and safety, biomedical science, surgical technologist and other team members job descriptions, medical/legal aspects of surgery including informed consent, risk management, patient’s Bill of Rights, the surgical patient and treatment of “special populations” of patients, professional management, communication skills and teamwork, microbiology related to the perioperative environment. ### Program Requirements To receive the Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology, students must earn 66 semester credit hours. The program requires a minimum of 5 semesters, which is equivalent to 15 months or 65 weeks of instruction. *Program courses may be offered via Remote Synchronous Delivery (See [Remote Synchronous and Hybrid Delivery](https://catalog.ecpi.edu/pages/NptmoZGS6vdUg1k7sbWL)).* The program requirements are as follows: #### Core Courses 42 semester credit hours **Complete ALL of the following Courses:** | Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours | |---|---|---| | [MED104](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED104 "View MED104") | [Medical Terminology](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED104 "View MED104") | 3 | | SUR101 | Course name not found | | SUR102 | Course name not found | | SUR120 | Course name not found | | SUR121 | Course name not found | | [SUR122](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/SUR122 "View SUR122") | [Surgical Procedures III](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/SUR122 "View SUR122") | 4 | | [SUR123](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/SUR123 "View SUR123") | [Surgical Procedures IV](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/SUR123 "View SUR123") | 4 | | [SUR270](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/SUR270 "View SUR270") | [Surgical Technology Practicum I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/SUR270 "View SUR270") | 3 | | [SUR270S](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/SUR270S "View SUR270S") | [Practicum Seminar I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/SUR270S "View SUR270S") | 1 | | [SUR271](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/SUR271 "View SUR271") | [Surgical Technology Practicum II](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/SUR271 "View SUR271") | 3 | | [SUR271S](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/SUR271S "View SUR271S") | [Practicum Seminar II](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/SUR271S "View SUR271S") | 1 | | [SUR272](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/SUR272 "View SUR272") | [Surgical Technology Practicum III](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/SUR272 "View SUR272") | 4 | | [SUR272S](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/SUR272S "View SUR272S") | [Practicum Seminar III](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/SUR272S "View SUR272S") | 1 | | [SUR285](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/SUR285 "View SUR285") | [National Certifying Examination Prep](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/SUR285 "View SUR285") | 4 | #### Arts and Sciences Courses\* 18 semester credit hours **Complete ALL of the following Courses:** *\*For allowable substitutions of arts and sciences courses, see the Arts & Sciences Department page. The following courses are available online for Surgical Technical students:* [ENG110](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/ENG110), [HUM205](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/HUM205), [MTH131](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MTH131), [MTH120](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MTH120), and [QFAYL07TMSHNHGH53WN0](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/QfAyL07tmsHnHGh53wN0). | Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours | |---|---|---| | [BIO101](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO101 "View BIO101") | [Human Anatomy and Physiology I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO101 "View BIO101") | 3 | | [BIO104](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO104 "View BIO104") | [Human Anatomy and Physiology II](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO104 "View BIO104") | 3 | | [ENG110](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/ENG110 "View ENG110") | [College Composition](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/ENG110 "View ENG110") | 3 | | [HUM205](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/HUM205 "View HUM205") | [Culture, Thought, and the Human Experience](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/HUM205 "View HUM205") | 3 | | [MTH120](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MTH120 "View MTH120") | [College Mathematics](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MTH120 "View MTH120") | 3 | | [PSY105](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PSY105 "View PSY105") | [Introduction to Psychology](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PSY105 "View PSY105") | 3 | #### Self-Integration Courses\* 6 semester credit hours **Complete ALL of the following Courses:** *\*All of these self-integration courses are available online for Surgical Technology students.* | Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours | |---|---|---| | [CIS108](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/CIS108 "View CIS108") | [Office Applications](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/CIS108 "View CIS108") | 2 | | [COR191](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/COR191 "View COR191") | [Career Orientation](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/COR191 "View COR191") | 1 | | [FOR110](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/FOR110 "View FOR110") | [Essentials for Success](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/FOR110 "View FOR110") | 3 | ## Accreditation ECPI University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees. Full accreditation details: [ECPI University Accreditation](https://www.ecpi.edu/accreditation). ## Programmatic Accreditation The Surgical Technology programs are accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) at the following ECPI campuses: Northern Virginia and Richmond, Virginia campuses. This is a programmatic accreditation by ABHES, a recognized accrediting agency for allied health programs including surgical technology. For more information, For more information, visit [www.abhes.org](https://www.abhes.org).