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Surgical Technology Program

Associate of Applied Science│68 Credits│2 Years│Fond du Lac Campus│Eligible for Financial Aid

Statewide Median Salary for Recent Graduates: $47,836

Stay local or take your career nationwide as a surgical technologist. Moraine Park’s Surgical Tech program prepares you to carry out common operating room procedures and handle high-pressure situations as a valuable member of a surgical team. Are you ready to scrub in?

Surgical technologists are allied health professionals who prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, prepare sterile instruments and supplies, and assist doctors during surgeries. Yet, that simple explanation doesn’t do the career justice.

As a surgical technologist, you will have a front-row seat to live anatomy lessons as you work alongside physicians and assist them in executing surgical procedures. At Moraine Park, you will be trained to understand the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of what has brought a patient into the operating room–allowing you to stay alert and anticipate a surgeon’s every move.

Students gain hands-on experience starting in on-campus surgical suite labs and then continuing in an off-site clinical setting for two semesters. A minimum of 120 clinical cases are required to graduate.

Accreditation

The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of Accreditation Review Council for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
9355-113th Street N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

Surgical Technology is experiencing a nationwide worker shortage despite the opportunity to earn an impressive starting salary. Graduates often earn between $52,000-61,000 with a $8,000-$15,000 sign-on bonus.” – Nicole Sexton, Surgical Technology Instructor and Program Director

Career opportunities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Surgical Technologist Scrub Role
  • Central Supply Technologist
  • Surgical Technologist/Private Scrub
  • Second Assisting Technologist (with additional education Surgical First Assistant)
  • Laser/Endoscopic Technologist
  • Tissue/Organ Procurement
  • GI Technologist
  • OB Technologist

Median Salary for Recent Graduates: $41,181

Surgical Technologist in the OP helping someone scrub in.
Surgical Technologist in the OP helping someone into surgical gloves.
Surgical Technologist in the OP organizing a table of surgical instruments.
Surgical Technologist in the OP organizing a table of surgical instruments.
Surgical Technologist in the OP organizing a table of surgical instruments.

Course Requirements

Course requirements are subject to change. Visit our catalog for up-to-date information.

Course Highlights

  • Surgical Pharmacology
  • Surgical Interventions
  • Exploring Surgical Issues
  • More
Surgical Technology instructor showing student how to prep the table of surgical instruments.

Additional Requirements

Surgical Technology program students are required to meet the following CAAHEP and ARC/STSA Accreditation criteria for graduation: Completion of 120 Surgery Experience cases as established according to CAAHEP and ARC/STSA Clinical Student Scrub RolesClinical Experience Surgery Case Requirements, and final completion of the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam.

Moraine Park’s admissions starts with the online application. The admissions steps and financial aid process can take 4-5 weeks for some programs, so plan ahead.

View and begin standard admissions steps.

  • Health Requirements
  • Criminal Background Check

Petition Process Details: Students are provisionally accepted to the Surgical Technology Program in “pre-core” status. When program ready, students go through the petition process.

If you have any questions or need help with the process, please contact us at  admissions@morainepark.edu OR 920-924-3200, TTY/VP:Use Relay VRS.

Estimated Costs

Estimated costs below are based on the 2023-2024 school year. These fees look at the cost to complete all classes. Costs, textbooks and supplies subject to change. For more details, see Cost of Attendance.

$12,151.60

Current tuition and fees

Coming Soon

Textbooks*

*Based on new books, rental, electronic, and used options may be available.

Tuition Costs

The cost of your degree depends on a number of factors such as total credits required, textbooks and the financial aid you receive. Some programs have additional costs such as uniforms, technology and equipment.

Please refer to the Tuition & Fee Information for enrollment fee information.

Additional Program Costs

Equipment

  • CORE: iPad 6th Gen or newer (128gb) – $350 to 429
  • CORE: Navy Blue iPad case (non-specific brand) – $25 to 100
  • CORE: Apple Care warranty – $69
  • CORE: Trajecsys Clinical tracking tool – $100 (this is purchased 3rd semester)

Pre-core students do not incur these costs up front.  Students will work with their advisor for details.  Required books and materials are an additional cost. New, used, and rental books may be an option.

Cost of Attendance

Cost of attendance (sometimes referred to as the “sticker price”) is the maximum amount of money it costs to attend college for one year and is used to determine your financial aid offering.

While attending Moraine Park during the 2024-25 school year, your estimated cost of attendance for one full year includes tuition of $4,462 (15 credits for fall and spring semester), fees of $338, food and housing of $3,008 (if living with parents, $9,147 if living on your own), books and supplies of $1,465, personal expenses of $3,608, and transportation of $4,017 for a total of $17,002. Your direct costs (those costs paid directly to the college) include tuition & fees. The indirect costs (costs not paid to the college) can vary from individual to individual and your own personal needs.

Certifying Organization: National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting

Clinical experiences, evaluations, and attendance at and completion of the scheduled CST exam are exit assessment graduation requirements for the program.

In 2024, 100% of graduates passed the Outcomes Assessment Exam. 100% of graduates were also employed before graduation.

Program Student Handbook

Surgical Technology Program Student Handbook

  • This program requires all students to train at off-site agencies – external to the College. As such, students must remain compliant with both the criminal background and healthcare requirements. Falling out of compliance may prevent students from progressing in or result in administrative removal from the program.
  • Health requirements are subject to change based on external agency requirements.
  • A full list of health requirements for this program is available from your academic advisor or by contacting the Student Health Record Representative at drhoads1@morainepark.edu.

Surgical Technology Student Voices

"The hands on learning helped me really understand the knowledge I was being taught. Working closely together with a small class also helps with learning skills in the lab." - Courtney Salminen

High school dual credit provides high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school, without leaving their high school classroom. The courses are taught by certified high school instructors using technical college curriculum, grading policies and textbooks.

Has previous life experience already helped you build knowledge and skills applicable to your studies? Applying previously earned credits to a program of study can save you both time spent in the classroom and money spent on tuition and fees.

Transferring here is easy! You can transfer in prior college work by submitting official college transcripts or get a free transcript review.

Financial Aid is provided to aid eligible associate degree and technical diploma programs with 28 credits or more. Processing can take 6-8 weeks after a student’s completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is received.

Financial Aid is available for associate degree and technical diploma programs (those that are 2 semesters in length and typically with 28 credits or more). Processing can take 4-5 weeks after a student’s completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is received. Visit the Financial Aid page to learn more.

Our recruiters on any of the three campuses are ready to help you plan your future!