Degree Offered
- Associate of Applied Science
Nature of the Program
An associate of applied science degree in surgical technology prepares students to enter the workforce in a hospital to assist with surgeries. The program provides both theory and application of concepts within surgical technology, such as aseptic technique and surgical procedures. In addition, students learn foundational knowledge regarding anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology. Students also learn skills in a mock operating room on campus and complete clinical experiences in various types of surgeries in local hospitals to gain hands-on experience in the field.
Career Opportunities
The surgical technology degree provides excellent preparation for students planning to gain employment as a surgical technologist. Surgical technologists prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment and assist physicians during surgeries. They help prepare patients for surgery, sterilize equipment, pass instruments to surgeons during surgeries, maintain a sterile environment and restock operating rooms after surgery.
Program Contact
Miranda Savage, ST Program Director
Email: miranda.savage1@mail.wvu.edu
Phone: 304-788-6800
Faculty
Chair
- Erin Cunningham - M.S. Biology
Year @ PSC 2007
Advisor
- Vicki Huffman - Ph.D. Biomedical Science emphasis in Pharmacology
Year @ PSC 2005 - Erin Cunningham - M.S. Biology
Year @ PSC 2007 - Farren Smith - M.S. Biology
Year @ PSC 2022
Admissions
1. If applicable, an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher for any college credits is required. This GPA is a combination of any transfer credit from outside institutions as well as all courses taken at WVU PSC.
2. An overall composite score of 18 or above on the ACT or an overall composite score of 980 (ERW + M) or above on the SAT is required.
3. In lieu of an ACT or SAT score, ATI TEAS test scores can be used to satisfy the minimum requirements. A minimum of 50% in each category (Math, Science, English & Language Usage and Reading) is required. For testing information, please go to https://www.atitesting.com/.
The following are required before starting the program:
1. Vaccination Records (full Covid-19, annual influenza when in season, PPD or IGRA within the last 30 days, current Tdap, MMR titer (or evidence of two immunizations) and Varicella titer (history to include chickenpox or vaccination)
2. Background Check
3. Drug Screen
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 102 & 102L | General Biology 2 and General Biology 2 Laboratory (GEF 2) | 4 |
| BIOL 230 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 4 |
| BIOL 231 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 4 |
| COMM 104 | Fundamentals of Public Communication (GEF 5) | 3 |
| ENGL 101 | Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric (GEF 1) | 3 |
| EXPH 240 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| MATH 121 | Intro Concepts Of Mathematics | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology (GEF 4) | 3 |
| WVUE 191 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| ST 101 | Surgical Technology 1 | 3 |
| ST 150 | Surgical Technology Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| ST 120 | Surgical Pharmacology | 3 |
| ST 102 | Surgical Technology 2 | 4 |
| ST 155 | Surgical Technology Clinical 1 | 4 |
| ST 201 | Surgical Technology 3 | 4 |
| ST 250 | Surgical Technology Clinical 2 | 8 |
| ST 202 | Surgical Technology 4 | 4 |
| Total Hours | 61 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| BIOL 102 & 102L (GEF 2) | 4 | BIOL 230 | 4 |
| ST 101 | 3 | ST 120 | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | 3 | ST 102 | 4 |
| MATH 121 (GEF 3) | 3 | ST 150 | 4 |
| EXPH 240 | 2 | ENGL 101 | 3 |
| WVUE 191 | 1 | ||
| 16 | 18 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| BIOL 231 | 4 | ST 202 | 4 |
| ST 201 | 4 | ST 250 | 8 |
| ST 155 | 4 | ||
| COMM 104 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total credit hours: 61 | |||
Major Learning Outcomes
Surgical Technology, A.A.S.
Graduates of the program will be able to:
-
Collaborate professionally with patients, their significant others and with all members of the healthcare team (Affective). - Promote interest, pride, and concern in the well-being of the community and its citizens through their contributions as surgical technologists (Cognitive, Affective, Psychomotor).
- Practice clear effective communication skills, both written and non-written (Psychomotor, Affective).
- Facilitate a teamwork atmosphere, that is responsive to and centers on the surgical patient’s needs (Cognitive, Affective, Psychomotor).
- Examine and incorporate the Association of Surgical Technologist scope of practice guidelines, rules, regulations, and ethical standards in the practice of surgical technology (Cognitive, Affective).
- Demonstrate proficiency of learned scientific principles and integrate these concepts in the practice of safe competent care for the consumer (Cognitive, Affective, Psychomotor).
- Prepare competent entry–level surgical technologist in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains.
- Support professional certification and life-long learning through continuing education to improve knowledge and skills performance (Cognitive, Affective, Psychomotor).