Associate of Science Degree in Surgical Technology Program Information

Mission

The mission of the College of Health and Wellness is to offer transformational educational opportunities for a diverse community of learners who are prepared as health care professionals to contribute to the quality and safety of healthcare for all. Our learner-centered curriculum is aligned with the scholar-practitioner model, evidence-based and practice focused. Consistent with the heritage and values of the Sisters of Mercy, graduates are expected to excel as compassionate, responsible leaders in the creation of a just and merciful world.

Vision

The College of Health and Wellness will be renowned for educating health care professionals at all levels who are career-ready, innovative, forward-thinking, ethical, leaders and scholars committed to the creation of a just and merciful world.

Program Outcomes

1. Provide care in a responsible, accountable manner within ethical-legal dimensions.
2. Utilize appropriate medical terminology.
3. Identify and assume appropriate responsibility for patient care.
4. Relate principles of asepsis in the surgical setting.
5. Utilize principles of surgical technology to meet the needs of the surgical patient in the operating room and ambulatory surgical unit.
6. Organize the sterile surgical field to provide safe and efficient surgical care to the patient.
7. Preforms with knowledge, skills, and affective behaviors of a competent entry-level Surgical Technologist.
8. Demonstrates a basic understanding of the concepts of Pharmacology and Biological Sciences
9. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication methods necessary for the profession.

Surgical Technology Program Goals

Vocational Objectives are based on the Association of Surgical Technology (AST)

The goal of this program is to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become a competent entry level Surgical Technologist. This will be accomplished by preparing graduates in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. By the end of this program, students will be able to demonstrate the following:

1. Knowledge:

• Correlate the elements, actions, and use of medications and anesthetic agents used during the perioperative experience.
• Demonstrate knowledge of emerging technologies in minimally invasive surgeries.
• Demonstrate an entry-level knowledge base by successfully completing the Certification exam.

2. Skills:

• Apply knowledge and skills from the biological sciences to safely perform during the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of patient care.
• Assemble and operate instruments, equipment and supplies for the delivery of patient care as an entry-level practitioner during basic surgical procedures.
• Implement safe practice techniques in regard to perioperative routines, patient transportation, positioning, and emergency procedures.
• Prioritize and organize the surgical field while considering the physiology and urgency of patient care needs.

3. Behaviors:

• Communicate professionally with patients, physicians, and co-workers.
• Demonstrate a strong surgical conscience, accountability, and legal implications of an individual’s actions as a member of the surgical team.
• Employ appropriate ethical, professional, and respectful values while providing care to diverse populations within the healthcare system.

Program Curriculum and Delivery Information

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM INFORMATION

Carlow University’s Associate of Science Degree in Surgical Technology Program is a 68 credit, 78 week, fully residential program that provides students instruction from Carlow faculty along with instruction from educators at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) School of Surgical Technology. Carlow University and UPMC have a written agreement for a cooperative relationship in which UPMC School of Surgical Technology educators (UPMC employees) deliver select Carlow University surgical technology courses, and for which UPMC receives compensation from Carlow University. Carlow faculty provides a minimum of 41 credits of pre-requisite, general education, and surgical technology major courses, and UPMC educators provide instruction in up to 27 credits of surgical technology major courses. All pre-requisite courses and general education courses that include (CTC 101, SKW 101, SKC 101, SKQ 101, BIO 207, BIO 208, BIO 217, HIM 102, PH 149 and EN 262) are offered at Carlow’s main campus. The surgical technology courses (SUR 101, SUR 102, SUR 120, SUR 121) are offered at the Energy Innovation Center located at 1435 Bedford Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15219. The surgical technology externship courses (SUR 270 A, SUR 271 A) are offered primarily at UPMC hospitals and the Surgical Technology externship course labs, (SUR 270 B and SUR 271 B) are offered at the Energy Innovation Center.

The agreement between Carlow University and UPMC does not result in additional costs to students outside of usual and customary tuition, university fees, and laboratory fees. Additionally, the agreement does not impact program graduate certification or employment. Graduates are not required to work for UPMC upon graduation. There are no restrictions on their employment opportunities. For additional information, refer to the ST Program Surgical Technology Program Disclaimer, Certification Exam, and Eligibility for Employment Statement.  

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM DISCLAIMER, CERTIFICATION, AND ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT

Pursuant to Pennsylvania Act 80 of 2020, Section

Student and Applicant Disclosure Statement Pursuant to Pennsylvania Act 80 of 2020, Section 501 https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/li/uconsCheck.cfm?yr=2020&sessInd=0&act=80

To ensure compliance with Pennsylvania Act 80 of 2020, this disclosure statement provides important information regarding eligibility for employment as a surgical technologist in Pennsylvania healthcare facilities.

Eligibility for Employment as a Surgical Technologist

As stated in Pennsylvania Act 80, individuals may be employed as surgical technologists if they:

1. Successfully completed a surgical technologist program sponsored by an entity holding nationally recognized institutional or programmatic accreditation and holds and maintains a surgical technologist certification from an accredited certification program. The department may promulgate regulations which identify nationally recognized accredited programs which meet the standards necessary to promote the public good and protect the health and safety of individuals in a health care facility;
2. Successfully completed an appropriate training program for surgical technology in the United States Army, Navy or Air Force; or
3. Provided evidence that they maintain a surgical technologist certification from an accredited certification program.

Associate of Science Degree Program Information

Students who successfully complete the Associate of Science Degree program in Surgical Technology are eligible to take the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) examination, which leads to Tech in Surgery certification (TS-C). This is a nationally accredited certification program. Passing the examination meets the eligibility requirement for employment in Pennsylvania.

Additionally, the Carlow Surgical Technology Program is currently seeking accreditation but has not yet been accredited. While the program is diligently working to meet accreditation requirements, students should know that accreditation is not guaranteed.

Once accreditation is obtained, students will be eligible to take the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) Surgical Technology Exam, providing a second pathway to certification.

Completion of the Associate of Science Degree program in Surgical Technology and subsequently obtaining a Tech in Surgery certification does not guarantee employment. Pennsylvania employers have required that students successfully complete subparagraphs (1) or (2) listed above, with fewer employment opportunities for students who solely complete subparagraph (3) by obtaining a Tech in Surgery certification.

Additional State Requirements

Students seeking employment in other states are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the specific requirements for surgical technologists in those states. The Association of Surgical Technologists’ map of state laws and requirements provides a comprehensive overview and can be accessed here: AST Map of State Requirements. https://www.ast.org/Public_Policy/Map_of_State_Laws/

Contact Information

Prospective and current students are encouraged to review this information carefully. For further clarification or to address concerns, please contact the program director.

Program Pass Rates

May 2025 GRADUATE CERTIFICATION PASS RATES
Pending

AUGUST 2025 CERTIFICATION PASS RATES
Pending

Accreditation

Carlow University is accredited by:

Pennsylvania State Board of Education
333 Market Street, 1^st Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Phone: +1 (717) 787-3787

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
1007 North Orange Street
4^th Floor MB# 166
Wilmington, DE 19801