Dec 05, 2024  
2024-2025 Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Catalog

Surgical Technology, AAS


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Why choose NPC’s Surgical Technology Program?

Northland Pioneer College’s Surgical Technology Program provides you with a quality Surgical Technologist education at a cost far below comparable programs in the State of Arizona. Our experienced faculty are careful to provide you with planned experiences and individualized up-to-date evidence-based instruction and are dedicated to helping you achieve your goals in this demanding field.

Program Guidelines

Patient safety dictates that specific guidelines apply to this program that are more stringent than the general college student policies. A copy of the Surgical Technology Student Handbook is issued to students admitted to the program. In case of accreditation-mandated changes, curriculum and/or guidelines could change.

Clinical experiences take place in various health care agencies in and outside of Northland’s district. Hours may vary from the class schedule depending on the clinical placement. Travel and overnight stays may be required.

Requirements:

To earn the Certificate of Proficiency in Surgical Technology, a student must complete the program with a grade-point average of “C” or better.  

Additionally, an applicant can be denied certification as a surgical technologist if convicted of a felony or addicted to habit forming drugs or if the application in any other way fails to meet qualifications required by law.  To enter the course, a Department of Public Safety (DPS) level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card, CPR, a current TB skin test, Hepatitis B, MMR and Varicella immunizations, and a COVID-19 vaccination or clinical agency-approved waiver may be required. 

Admission to the Surgical Technology Program

  • Students must be admitted to the Surgical Technology Program in order to enroll in surgical technology courses. (Admission information is available in the academic advising and the surgical technology program areas.)
  • Completed Surgical Technology application should be submitted on or before the designated deadline that is noted in the application packet. Late applicants may be accepted on a space-available basis if they meet the admission criteria but not before applicants who submit applications on time.
  • All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to admission to the program.

Admission Selection:

Admission criteria will include: Admission Assessment test composite and cumulative scores, prerequisite GPA and applicant statement. The factors will be weighted by the committee.

Significant weight will be given to the Admission Assessment composite percentage and prerequisite GPA. Admission is contingent upon completion of program prerequisites.

  • General Education and core requirements must be completed as listed on the curriculum outline in the program admission information packet.
  • College credits over eight years old may be accepted with appropriate documentation and approval.
  • Transfer students for second, third or fourth semesters are considered on an individual basis. Criteria include course comparables, GPA, specified examination results and recommendation from previous program director.

Prerequisites Required Before Admission


Before the student will be considered eligible to enter the Surgical Technology Program, completion of the following prerequisites is required. Successful completion with a “C” grade or better for each class is required and a cumulative Grade-Point Average (GPA) of “B” (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) is recommended.

Surgical Technology (AAS) • 60 credits


Complete the Surgical Technology, CAS : 46 Credits

General Education Courses: 10 Credits


Communications: 3 Credits


Arts and Humanities


No requirement.

Physical and Biological Sciences: 4 Credits


Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 Credits


Pick one of the following:

Additional Requirements: 4 Credits


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