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Surgical Technology Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the program, students must meet the following criteria:
  • Complete university admission requirements to include submission of official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
  • Have a minimum 2.25 GPA average for all college course work (including transfer work and excluding developmental courses) and be in good academic standing.
  • Complete required prerequisite courses for the program with a minimum grade of C or higher in each course prior to fall entry; prerequisite courses are the first two semesters as listed on the degree plan for a total of 28 hours.
  • Take the ATI-TEAS entrance exam.

Detailed information

Selection is based on successful completion of the admission criteria and is a highly competitive process. Due to program size limitations, meeting admission requirements does not guarantee admission into the program. Those with higher GPAs on prerequisite courses and TEAS scores will rank higher in selection. The most qualified applicants will be contacted after the admissions deadline for an interview.

After the interview process, the top applicants will be offered positions for the available seats in the Surgical Technology Program. Meeting the minimum requirements for admission or taking courses on the surgical technology degree plan does not guarantee admission into the program. Students not admitted must reapply to be considered for another semester. Students chosen as alternates are not guaranteed a position in the next class.

Students admitted into the surgical technology program must submit the following additional documentation prior to fall entry:

  • Healthcare Provider Statement/Medical Release form
  • Proof of immunizations
  • CPR Certification: American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS)
  • Criminal background check
  • Drug screen
Note: Many clinical facilities require a criminal background check and/or drug screen on students and have the authority to deny clinical training in their facility secondary to the outcome of either screening. Students unable to practice in any clinical agency because of an adverse or negative background check will be unable to complete the program objectives, thereby revoking admission into a program or halting continued progression in the student's program of study. 

Science courses taken more than five years prior to entering the program will be evaluated on an individual basis by the executive director of the surgical technology program and the dean of the College of Health, Education, and Human Services. See your advisor for more information and to request a science course evaluation.

The surgical technology program is competency-based. To continue in the program, a student must maintain a 75 percent average in clinical performance and a 75 percent average through each didactic course.

A student dropped for any reason may apply for readmission if in compliance with the UAFS Student Academic Progress Policy as outline in the course catalog. A student who discontinues the surgical technology sequence for any reason must petition for readmission to the surgical technology program. The readmission requirements are found in the Surgical Technology Program and Procedure Manual (see the Readmission Criteria and Procedure Policy). The student is not guaranteed a position for readmission. A student who is readmitted is accountable for the degree requirements in effect at the time of readmission.

To earn a Surgical Technology degree, a student must earn a grade of C or better in all required courses applicable to the surgical technology program; earn a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA in all course work required for the major; and earn a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA on all work attempted at the university. the student must meet with the advising coordinator for the College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences to complete the graduation application one year prior to intended graduation.
 
Per the ARC/STSA, the student must sit for the national certification examination to become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) prior to graduation.