Surgical Technology, Associate in Applied Science

College(s):

Malcolm X

Program Code: 0267

Program Requirements

General Education Coursework
ENGLISH 101Composition3
BIOLOGY 121Biology I5
SOC 201Intro To the Study Of Society3
BIOLOGY 226Human Structure and Function I4
BIOLOGY 227Human Structure and Function II4
General Education Mathematics Course (Math 118 recommended)3
Required Program Core
BIOLOGY 120Terminology For Medical Careers3
MCROBIO 233General Microbiology4
SURG TC 111Intro To Surgical Technology2
SURG TC 112Principles & Practice for STs3
SURG TC 113Surgical Procedures I4
SURG TC 114Applied Surgical Procedures4
SURG TC 116Surgical Procedures II3
SURG TC 118Applied Surgical Procedures II3
SURG TC 210Surgical Procedures III4
SURG TC 215Career Readiness for STs3
Required Work-Based Learning Courses
SURG TC 212Clinical Experience I5
SURG TC 213Clinical Experience II9
Total Hours69

Pathway

This is an example course sequence for students interested in earning an Associate in Applied Science in Surgical Technology. If this pathway is followed as outlined, you will earn an Associate in Applied Science (AAS). It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability.

Semester-by-Semester Program Plan for Full-Time Students

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
BIOLOGY 120 Terminology For Medical Careers 1 3
BIOLOGY 121 Biology I 1 5
General Education Mathematics Course (Math 118 recommended) 3
 Hours11
Semester 2
BIOLOGY 226 Human Structure and Function I 1 4
 Hours4
Semester 3
BIOLOGY 227 Human Structure and Function II 4
ENGLISH 101 Composition 3
SURG TC 111 Intro To Surgical Technology 2
SURG TC 112 Principles & Practice for STs 3
 Hours12
Semester 4
MCROBIO 233 General Microbiology 4
SURG TC 113 Surgical Procedures I 4
SURG TC 114 Applied Surgical Procedures 4
 Hours12
Semester 5
SURG TC 116 Surgical Procedures II 3
SURG TC 118 Applied Surgical Procedures II 3
 Hours6
Semester 6
SOC 201 Intro To the Study Of Society 3
SURG TC 210 Surgical Procedures III 4
SURG TC 212 Clinical Experience I 5
 Hours12
Semester 7
SURG TC 213 Clinical Experience II 9
SURG TC 215 Career Readiness for STs 3
 Hours12
 Total Hours69
1

Program prerequisite to be completed prior to application for the Surgical Technology program.

Choose your courses with your College Advisor.

Program Admission Requirements

Applicants must:

  1. Be admitted to Malcolm X College
  2. Be at least 18 years of age
  3. Completion of prerequisite courses must not be more than five years old and all prerequisite coursework must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. These courses are as follows:     
    Any college level Mathematics course (MATH 118 recommended)3
    BIOLOGY 120Terminology For Medical Careers3
    BIOLOGY 121Biology I5
    BIOLOGY 226Human Structure and Function I4
  1. Provide Malcolm X College with official college transcripts for any previous course work.
  2. Have a minimum 2.5 College GPA
  3. Complete the Program Admissions Application
  4. All students are required to undergo a criminal background check. Students with a positive background check that contains disqualifying convictions may be prohibited from being placed at a clinical site, sitting for certification board examinations, and securing future employment. Students are responsible for the cost of performing the background check. The program’s Clinical Coordinator will provide instructions to obtain the Background Check at the New Student Orientation session.    

    Students with a positive background check that contains convictions may be allowed to enter into the program, however, some convictions may prohibit them from entering the clinical site. These students will be unable to participate in the clinical externship course (resulting in a failing grade), sitting for certification board examinations, and securing future employment. Students with convictions are strongly encouraged to work to have any convictions expunged prior to entering the program. Students are responsible for the cost of performing the background check. The program’s Clinical Coordinator will provide instructions to obtain the Background Check at the New Student Orientation session.    

    As defined by Illinois State Law (225ILCS46/25): 

  • All healthcare workers and student health care workers are required to undergo a criminal background check in order to work in a clinical setting.  A student with a positive background check containing disqualifying conditions will not be allowed to enter the clinical portion of this program, thus preventing the student from obtaining mandated certification and/or licensure in Sterile Processing. Please contact the Program Director to discuss disqualifiers. The applicant is responsible for the cost of the background clearance. Prior to clinical placement, the student will be required to provide a cleared drug screen at their own cost.         
  1. Attend a consultation with members of the Surgical Technology program's staff and/or advisory board before acceptance into the program.    
  2. All college transcripts from colleges/universities attended outside City Colleges of Chicago are required to be sent to Malcolm X College Office of Registrar Services or mxregistrar@ccc.edu from the specific college/university. We do not have access to transcripts submitted to other City Colleges of Chicago.

 For more information about admissions requirements and the application process, visit the program website.

Careers

This program can prepare students for the jobs listed below. Click on each one to learn more, including average earnings, annual job openings, and how much education people in that field have. For additional guidance and resources on career options, current City Colleges students and alumni can contact the Career Services Office.

Surgical Technologists

Job Description

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

Salary Based on Experience Level

Take a look at the average hourly/annual earnings for this career in Cook County

Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES data from the BLS and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

Annual Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile$43,797
Median 50th Percentile$54,613
Senior-Level 90th Percentile$70,606

Hourly Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile$21
Median 50th Percentile$26
Senior-Level 90th Percentile$34

Annual Job Openings

91 annual openings in Cook County

National Education Attainment

Here, you can see the level of education that people in this career complete.

Degree Program% of Jobs
A high school diploma or less4.98%
A certificate31.22%
Some college23.24%
An Associate degree40.56%
A Bachelor's degree0.00%
A Master's or Professional degree0.00%
A Doctoral degree or more0.00%

0.00% continue their education beyond an associate degree