Stark State College's surgical technology program prepares you to work as a surgical technologist, assisting surgeons and ensuring operating rooms are safe, sterile, and properly equipped. In this role, you support patients and surgical teams before, during, and after procedures, often working long hours in physically demanding environments with potential exposure to health risks.
Major code: 3373 Pre-code: 3374 Health and Public Services Division Respiratory, Laboratory, and Surgical Technology Dept.
The catalog in force is assigned to students based on the academic year they first applied to the college, and changes only when students change their major or request the change in writing. Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-28.
2026-27 Catalog
Effective Summer 2026
Some courses listed within the program may require a prerequisite or co-requisite.
Pre/Co-requisites will be listed within each course hyperlink below.
Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-04 and 3357:15-13-05
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | ||
| SUR102 | Principles of Surgery I | 3 |
| SUR102L | Principles of Surgery Lab | 1 |
| SUR105 | Surgical Anatomy and Pathology | 3 |
| SUR104 | Surgical Pharmacology | 3 |
| SUR106 | Principles of Surgery II | 3 |
| SUR106L | Principles of Surgery II Lab | 1 |
| SUR200 | Surgical Specialties I | 2 |
| SUR200L | Surgical Specialties I Lab | 1 |
| SUR201C | Surgical Clinical Practicum I | 3 |
| SUR201 | Surgical Clinical Practicum I Seminar | 1 |
| SUR202 | Surgical Specialties II | 2 |
| SUR202L | Surgical Specialties II Lab | 1 |
| SUR203C | Surgical Clinical Practicum II | 4 |
| SUR203 | Surgical Clinical Practicum II Seminar | 1 |
| SUR204 | Surgical Technology Capstone | 2 |
| Non-technical | ||
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| ENG124 | College Composition | 3 |
| PHL122 | Ethics | 3 |
| BIO123 | Principles of Human Structure and Function (lab) 1,2,3 | 5 |
| BIO125 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| BIO221 | Principles of Microbiology (lab) | 4 |
| PSY123 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Statistics 4 | ||
| College Algebra 4 | ||
| Math for Allied Health | ||
| PSY121 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Sociology Elective selected from Sociology offerings only | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 62-63 | |
- 1
Because of the strong emphasis on science in this major, applicants must have successfully completed biology in high school. Students who did not complete the courses in high school, and those who prefer to refresh their knowledge of the material, should complete the listed pre-requisites.
- 2
BIO121 Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO122 Anatomy and Physiology II can be substituted for BIO123 Principles of Human Structure and Function.
- 3
“B” or better in BIO101 or High School Biology (must be within 5 years).
- 4
MTH125 College Algebra or MTH124 Statistics should only be taken by students planning to transfer to a four-year institution.
Full-time Student Advising Notes
Academic Advising
Each student should make an appointment to see their advisor every semester before registering for classes. Please have your registration form completed, including the courses you wish to take, for this meeting.
Course Sequence
The semester-by-semester listing below gives the normal scheduling option for full-time associate degree students who plan to finish in two years. Some courses can be scheduled as beginning courses in other semesters depending upon course availability and advisor's recommendation.
Surgical Technology courses must be taken in the order listed below
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| BIO123 | Principles of Human Structure and Function (lab) 1,2,3 | 5 |
| ENG124 | College Composition | 3 |
| SUR102 | Principles of Surgery I | 3 |
| SUR102L | Principles of Surgery Lab | 1 |
| SUR104 | Surgical Pharmacology | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIO221 | Principles of Microbiology (lab) | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Statistics 4 | ||
| College Algebra 4 | ||
| Math for Allied Health | ||
| SUR105 | Surgical Anatomy and Pathology | 3 |
| SUR106 | Principles of Surgery II | 3 |
| SUR106L | Principles of Surgery II Lab | 1 |
| Hours | 14-15 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| BIO125 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| SUR200 | Surgical Specialties I | 2 |
| SUR200L | Surgical Specialties I Lab | 1 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| PHL122 | Ethics | 3 |
| PSY121 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SUR201C | Surgical Clinical Practicum I | 3 |
| SUR201 | Surgical Clinical Practicum I Seminar | 1 |
| SUR202 | Surgical Specialties II | 2 |
| SUR202L | Surgical Specialties II Lab | 1 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| Sociology Elective selected from Sociology offerings only | 3 | |
| PSY123 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| SUR203C | Surgical Clinical Practicum II | 4 |
| SUR203 | Surgical Clinical Practicum II Seminar | 1 |
| SUR204 | Surgical Technology Capstone | 2 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 62-63 | |
Students are required to follow the program curriculum in effect when they begin taking technical courses, not when students are accepted to the College or program.
This program requires an application (separate from the College).
Please see your advisor to discuss the application process.
Program Learning Outcomes
This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
- Graduates will consistently demonstrate the necessary training to assume responsibilities in the operating room, including aseptic technique, instrument setup, assisting the surgeon, anticipating the surgeon’s needs, and assisting with post-operative care.
- Graduates will apply knowledge, skills, and demonstrate ability to perform as a surgical technologist in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains.
- Graduates will provide to the community professional, competent, and knowledgeable individuals who can provide surgeons and the surgical team quality assistance as a Surgical Technologist utilizing ethical standards and integrity.
- Graduates will display professionalism, be prepared to be a lifelong learner, and value the professional attributes of the Surgical Technologist.
- Graduates will possess the necessary didactic and clinical skills needed to pass the certification exam and be prepared to enter the job arena as a competent entry-level Surgical Technologist.