Surgical Technology
If your answer is "yes," pursuing a degree as a surgical technologist is the career field for you! As a surgical technologist, you work with the operating room team before, during, and after surgery to deliver quality patient care.
Surgical technologists prepare the instruments and set up the trays that the surgical team will utilize. During the procedure, technologists pass instruments to the surgeon and generally assist where needed.
This 12-month associate degree program delivers the knowledge and skills necessary for graduates to enter the field of surgical technology and take the national certification examination for surgical technology.
The mission of the Surgical Technology program at CCD is to provide an inclusive, quality, affordable education to all accepted students that meet the standards set forth by CAAHEP and the ARC/STSA. CCD’s Surgical Technology program is committed to “prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.”
Upon successful completion of CCD’s Surgical Technology Program, graduates will be able to:
- Apply knowledge of the biological sciences as they relate to surgical procedures in the operating room.
- Demonstrate competence in the knowledge and use of sterile and aseptic techniques as they apply to their scope of practice.
- Be an effective communicator with patients, and all members of the healthcare team, ensuring that confidentiality and all legal and ethical principles are practiced.
- Coordinate all aspects of each surgical procedure utilizing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Program Highlights:
- Earn an Associate of Applied Science degree
- Complete in as little as three semesters
- Progress through the classes and internship with other students, together as a group
- Take the certification exam during the last semester of coursework
- Become a competent, entry-level surgical technologist with the knowledge and skills needed to join a surgical team
Surgical Technology Accreditation
The Surgical Technology Program at the Community College of Denver is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council for Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
9355 113th ST. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727.210.2350
Some programs and/or courses may require additional fees in addition to the base tuition and fees. High-cost course fees are used to support the maintenance and development of the course labs and are embedded within your general tuition.
The following courses have additional fees:
STE 1001, STE 1003, STE 2069, STE 2081
The estimated fee amount is $642 for 2025 and $722 for 2026.
View the 2025-2026 Course Specific Fees
Additional Costs Not Included in Fees:
- Scrubs ($8-$60)
- Surgical Counts ($39)
- DORA license ($85)
This program is eligible for federal financial aid.
Your first step is to connect with the Financial Aid office to discover how you can afford college. Our dedicated staff and support services help you wade through all the legal language and get you past the first hurdle to completing your educational goals.
In addition, CCD has $1,000,000 available in scholarships. Learn More!
What Can I Do with My Major?
The surgical technologist can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, surgery departments and ambulatory surgery centers. The field of Surgical Technology is expected to grow by 6-8 percent over the next 10 years.
How Much Can I Expect to Earn?
The median hourly wage in Colorado is $30.50 in comparison to the national hourly wage of $29.14.
The median annual wage in Colorado is $63,430 in comparison to the national annual wage of $60,610.
The information provided here is by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
The Program completion data below is defined as the number of students who complete the Surgical Technology Program within 150% of the time after accepted and enrolled in the program. Students who withdrew before the census date are not included in the data below.
| Cohort | Program Completion | CST First-time Exam Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 73% | 71.4% |
| Summer 2025 | 100% | 90% |
Application Cycles
- January 19 - July 3 for a Fall 2026 start
- August 17- November 6 for a Spring 2027 start
Steps to a Successful Enrollment
Please follow the instructions below and gather the appropriate documents before you complete our online application.
If you haven’t done so, you must be a current CCD student to enroll in the Surgical Tech Program. The CCD application is free. Please select Associate of Applied Science as the degree option when applying. In order to get transfer credit from classes taken outside of CCD, official transcripts from those colleges must be submitted to CCD’s Admissions, Registration and Records office. CCD will accept e-transcripts.
Prerequisites for This Program
The program application will ask you to list all prerequisite and applicable courses you are currently enrolled in or have completed. You will need to provide the following information: college/university name, course number, date enrolled, semester/quarter credit hours, grade received (if completed), and date completed or expected completion date.
As part of the application process, you will be required to upload a copy of your unofficial transcript(s) for initial application review. Unofficial transcripts can be accessed by signing in to CCDConnect and downloading a copy.
Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended must be submitted at the same time as the application or prior to the application deadline. It is highly recommended that applicants submit official transcripts as early as possible to allow adequate time for credit transfer evaluation and to address any issues that may arise during the review process. Completion of the credit transfer review is required prior to moving forward with the interview process. Failure to submit official transcripts by the required deadline may result in the application being considered incomplete and may result in denial of the application.
BIO 2101 | 4 Credits
- Students must pass the course with a “C” or higher.
- There is a seven-year expiration date on all science courses.
BIO 2102 | 4 Credits
- Students must pass the course with a “C” or higher.
- There is a seven-year expiration date on all science courses.
HPR 1039 or 178 | 2 Credits
- Students must pass the course with a “C” or higher.
- All general courses are good for a lifetime.
ENG 1021 | 3 credits
- Students must pass the course with a “C” or higher.
- All general courses are good for a lifetime.
PSY 1001 | 3 Credits
- Students must pass the course with a “C” or higher.
All general courses are good for a lifetime
Previous healthcare experience is preferred. Examples of acceptable healthcare experience: Nurse Aide, Phlebotomist, Unit receptionist, Emergency Medical Technician, Medical Assistant, Practical Nurse, Dietary Aide, etc.
To be accepted into the program, you will need the following:
Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Must be completed within a timeframe that will allow one certification to be valid through the program.
- You will be required to upload proof of a (BLS) for the Health Care Providers Certification course through the American Heart Association on your application.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) — must be from AHA
Background Check and Drug Screen
- CCD’s Surgical Technology program requires that a background check and drug screen be completed prior to your admittance into the program.
- No history of criminal offenses; please read the CCCS list of disqualifying offenses.
- You may order the background check and drug screen at the Colorado Community College System’s CastleBranch website. Once your order is complete, we will collect your receipt, and CCD’s Human Resources will contact us upon your approval/denial.
- You will need to upload your results of the background check and drug screening with your application. Your results can be located by logging back into CastleBranch and saving your results.
Answer These Questions
- Have you ever been placed on academic probation or dismissed for any reason from school, college, or university?
- Have you ever been convicted of either a felony or misdemeanor, excluding minor traffic offenses?
Current Physical Exam
Download the Physical Form and have your physician fill it out.
Vaccinations
- Tuberculosis (TB) clearance: negative skin test, QuantiFERON (QFT) Gold test, or clear chest X-ray (within the last year)
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine: 2 doses or positive titer
- Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine: 2 doses or positive titer
- Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) vaccine: within the last 10 years
- Seasonal flu vaccine (required only for applicants applying October–March; wait until accepted and instructed before getting this)
- Hepatitis B vaccine: 3 doses or positive titer (Can start program with first dose completed but will need to complete series before clinical rotation)
References
Students must upload the completed reference sheet with their application. A minimum of three references is required, with at least two being a current or former manager/supervisor. Professional references must include a work email address and work phone number only; personal contact information will not be accepted. Please obtain permission from your references in advance, as they will be contacted.
Note: We require to speak with at least two references; one of which must be a current or former manager/supervisor.
We recommend downloading the Application Checklist to help you track your progress and confirm all required documents are completed before submitting your application.
2026 Info Session dates:
- Thursday, April 2 – 3:00pm
- Thursday, May 7 – 3:00pm
- Thursday, June 4 – 3:00pm
- Thursday, July 2 – 3:00pm
- Thursday, August 6 – 3:00pm
- Thursday, September 3 – 3:00pm
- Thursday, October 1 – 3:00pm
- Thursday, November 5 – 3:00pm
- Thursday, December 3 – 3:00pm
Meeting ID: 226 827 917 653 25 | Passcode: hF3XZ3Bq
Essay and Cover Letter Requirements
As part of the application process, applicants are required to submit a professional cover letter and a written essay. These materials allow the Surgical Technology Program Admissions Committee to learn more about your interest in the profession, your preparation for the program, and the qualities you will bring as a future Surgical Technologist.
Cover Letter (1 page maximum):
Submit a professional cover letter addressed to the Surgical Technology Program Admissions Committee. Your cover letter should introduce yourself, explain your interest in the Surgical Technology profession, and describe why you believe you are a strong candidate for the program. This is an opportunity to highlight your motivation, professional goals, and qualities that will contribute to your success as a student and future Surgical Technologist.
Essay (500 words or fewer):
Submit an essay addressing the following topics:
- What do you know about the profession of Surgical Technology, and what interests you about pursuing this career?
- What personal and professional qualities do you possess that will contribute to your success in the Surgical Technology profession? Consider qualities such as communication, teamwork, accountability, adaptability, attention to detail, and professionalism.
- Describe any previous healthcare education, training, certifications, or work experience. Include your role, the location or type of healthcare setting where you gained this experience (e.g., hospital, clinic, long-term care facility, etc.), and how this experience has prepared you for a career in Surgical Technology.
Applicants are encouraged to use specific examples from their experiences to demonstrate their understanding of the profession, commitment to patient care, and readiness for the responsibilities of a Surgical Technology student.
Applications will be reviewed, and selected candidates will be invited to participate in an interview. After the interview process, a certain number of applicants will be offered a spot in the program.