Surgical Technology - AAS

The Surgical Technology program is an Associate of Applied Science degree program that can be completed in four semesters, after completing one semester of prerequisites. The prerequisites must be completed prior to the student applying for and being accepted into the Surgical Technology (ST) program. In addition, during clinical rotations and externship, students are required to complete a minimum of 120 surgical cases as outlined in the Association of Surgical Technologists Core Curriculum, 7th Edition once competency is demonstrated in the laboratory. Surgical technologists assist in operations under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses and other surgical personnel. They must be knowledgeable in preparing the operating room, establishing and maintaining the sterile field, aseptic technique, and setting up surgical equipment, supplies and solutions. During surgery, the surgical technologist passes instruments, fluids, medications, and supplies to the surgeon and anticipates the needs of the surgeon for any given surgical procedure. Students receive an Associate of Applied Science degree in Surgical Technology from Utah State University upon completion of academic coursework and clinical experience.

The Surgical Technology program is offered on the Blanding, Moab and Price campuses via a blended delivery system. Students attending the Moab campus have to travel to the Blanding campus for their lab experience. The program will try to schedule clinical rotations for Moab students in their area.

The USU Blanding and USU Price programs are currently accredited through the accrediting bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Upon the successful completion of coursework, students will be eligible to sit for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) certification exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). If the student successfully passes this national board, they will be conferred the title of Certified Surgical Technologist (CST). The USU Surgical Technology curriculum was developed utilizing the curriculum recommendations of the Association of Surgical Technologist (AST) Core Curriculum, 7th Edition. Students successfully completing the program will be well prepared for a career as an entry-level (advanced beginner) surgical technologist. Student relocation to any state outside of Utah may adversely affect the student’s ability to complete the Surgical Technology Program. Graduation from the surgical technology program does not guarantee employment.

Michele Lyman, M.S., PA-C - Director of Health Professions Programs 

Utah State University Blanding, Moab, and Price campuses

John Redfield, BA, CST - Program Director, Instructor, and Clinical Coordinator (john.redfield@usu.edu, 435-613-5830)

Teryn Lyman - Health Professions Programs Coordinator/Student Advisor (teryn.lyman@usu.edu, 435-678-8208)

Surgical Technology Entrance Requirements

Utah State University has an open admission policy. Applicants will be admitted without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran’s status. In addition, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation for employees in all aspects of employment and for students in academic programs and activities is prohibited.

High school graduation or GED is required. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is required to be accepted into the program. Throughout the curriculum, the student must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. No pass/fail grades are accepted for program coursework. Acceptance into this program will be by the selection process. Please note that distance education students enrolled in the Surgical Technology - AAS program will have no additional admission requirements or fees.

General Admissions Procedures

To be officially admitted to the college as a full-time matriculated student, an applicant must submit the following:

1. A completed Application for Admission to Utah State University.

2. A $50 nonrefundable application fee to Utah State University.

3. Official transcripts of all previous high school and/or their GED and college work if the student is a transfer student.

4. Placement and evaluation exam: ACT (American College Test), or Accuplacer Exam for English and ALEKS Exam for math.

Notification of acceptance and resident status will be sent from the Health Professions Department Chairperson. If a student’s application is incomplete at the time of registration, the student will not be admitted to the program. Students applying for financial aid must be a high school graduate or GED recipient, and be matriculated before receiving aid.

A declaration of a major is accomplished through the Application for Admission. Students desiring to change their majors after acceptance are required to complete a “Change of Major” form at the Admissions and Registrar’s Office.

Returning Students

A student who has been away for more than two semesters must submit a new application for admission along with a $20.00 reapplication admission fee. Those who have attended other colleges or universities in the interim will be asked to submit transcripts of all college credits.

Enrollment Prior to High School Graduation

An academically qualified high school student who wishes to enroll at USU Eastern or USU Blanding must fill out a Concurrent Enrollment-Early College form as well as a Student Acknowledgement & Parental Consent Agreement form. Students may work concurrently on high school classes and the college courses required for acceptance into the ST program while still in high school.

Transfer Students

A transfer student from another college or university must submit the following: 

1. A completed Application for Admission to Utah State University.

2. A $50 one-time nonrefundable application fee to Utah State University.

3. Official transcripts of all previous college work. (Official transcripts must be sent directly from the previous school. Hand carried transcripts will not be accepted.)

4. ACT or Accuplacer test scores. If a transfer student has completed 20 hours and has taken an English course equivalent to our English 1010, they will not be required to take the above tests.

5. A transfer student cannot transfer credits with D or E (F) grades or credits from developmental or remedial courses. Grades of C or better will be allowed for all classes required for the program. Credits from remedial classes will not be accepted.

6. The student must be in good standing and eligible to re-enroll at the college or university where they were most recently registered.

7. Transfer students will not be matriculated until official transcripts of all high school, previous college or university work are submitted to USU Eastern Blanding.