Be a key member of the surgical team. Your job: Maintain a sterile environment to help ensure patients receive the best care.
surgical technology
93%
Employed
93% of our recent graduates got a job in the industry.
99%
Student Satisfaction
99% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.
$48K
Annual Salary
Our recent graduates of this program reported an average starting salary of $47,532.
Surgical Technology
Program Number: 105121
Your Degree:
Associate Degree
Area of Study:
Health Sciences
Delivery Method:
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
61 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
net price calculator sketch
What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.
Estimated Tuition

$9,843.76

$8,918.20 Tuition
$925.56 Materials/Supplemental Costs
$0.00 Other Costs
  • Program Overview

    Surgical technologists are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients in a variety of settings. The Surgical Technology program at Madison College will prepare you to enter this important health care field.

    A surgical technologist works under the supervision of a surgeon to ensure that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety.

    A surgical technologist possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique. They combine the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation of tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

    Students who are successful in becoming surgical technologists:

    • Possess a strong sense of responsibility, considerable patience and concern for others
    • Function well in a team
    • Possess manual dexterity and fine motor coordination
    • Perform accurately and efficiently under pressure

    Please note that after acceptance to this program, you will be required to complete a background check and provide documentation of current required-immunizations and current Healthcare Provider CPR certification.

    Program Details

    Wisconsin law requires background checks for persons who provide care for others or have access to people who receive care. This law applies to students in many School of Health Sciences programs. Please review the Caregiver Background Check information on the School of Health Sciences Forms and Policies.

    ALL accepted (petitioned - awarded) Surgical Technology students will need to complete a 10-panel urine drug test prior to the start of the fall semester. 

    Students in the Surgical Technology program must attend full time.

    Classes are offered Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

    Surgical Technology classes may be offered at these Madison College campuses:

    • Madison - Truax

    Careers

    Earning your Surgical Technology degree at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as a:

    • Surgical Technologist
    • OB Technician
    • Central Supply Technician
    • Private Scrub Technologist
    • Second Assisting
    • First Assisting Technologist
    • GI Technician
    • Laser/Endoscopic Technician
    • Tissue/Organ Procurement
    • Material Manager
    • Claims Approver 
    • Surgical Sales Representative
    • Vet Technician

    Some of the occupations listed above may require additional education and/or experience.

    Resources

  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2023-2024 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

    Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:

    • Progress toward your specific requirements
    • Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements

    If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.

    Pre-Program
    10-501-101
    3 credits
    10-806-177
    4 credits
    First Semester
    10-512-127
    2 credits
    10-806-197
    4 credits
    Second Semester
    10-512-129
    2 credits
    10-512-130
    2 credits
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    Third Semester
    10-512-131
    4 credits
    10-512-132
    3 credits
    10-512-133
    3 credits
    10-801-196
    3 credits
    10-809-199
    3 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-512-135
    3 credits
    10-512-136
    3 credits
    10-512-142
    4 credits
    10-809-197
    3 credits
  • Admission

    To Apply

    Students need to complete the petition process to get into core-program classes for this program. Before submitting an application, it’s important to review the Petition Process webpage which also includes estimated wait times for each program.

      • View the admission requirements for application deadlines, materials, and requirements
         
      • The first term of petition for the two-year program will be Fall 2023. There is no current estimated wait time between acceptance into pre-program and the start of core classes. The estimated time to enter the core-program is subject to change based on the variable number of students ready to petition each semester.
         
      • Learn more about the Madison College experience and get help with the admissions process

      After Acceptance

      Once you have been accepted in a pre-program status, your next step is to complete the Petition Requirements. See the Petition information in the next section.

      Additional Notes

      Students will be required to meet the current admission and petition requirements. Requirements must be amended any time accreditation requirements are updated or changed. Requirements may also be amended based on Madison College programmatic assessment data.

      Questions?

      Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

    • Petition

      After Acceptance

      After you have been admitted into a pre-program status, complete all of the Petition Requirements for your program. Login to your student account and run a Degree Progress Report to review the Petition Requirements and see which requirements you have completed and which need to be satisfied.

      Requirements vary by program, and may include some or all of the following:

      • Prerequisites (examples: Algebra, Geometry, Chemistry, Biology, English and Reading): This varies by program
      • Course Requirements (examples: Anatomy and Physiology, Intro to Psychology, etc.): This varies by program
      • Testing Requirement (examples: ACT, HESI, TEAS): This varies by program
      • Petition Workshop: This is done online and can be found in Blackboard after you have been admitted in a pre-program status

      You can view the Petition Requirements for this program using the link below.            

      Fall 2022 and Spring 2023

      Fall 2023 and Spring 2024

      After completing the petition requirements, students are then selected for entry into core program courses through the Petition Process.

      Questions?

      Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

    • Career Outcomes

      After completing the Surgical Technologist program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be prepared to:

      • Apply healthcare and technological science principles to the perioperative environment.
      • Maintain principles of sterile technique in the surgical environment.
      • Provide a safe, efficient, and supportive environment for the patient.
      • Prepare the patient, operating room and surgical team for the preoperative phase.
      • Perform intraoperative case management in the scrub role.
      • Perform postoperative case management.
      • Function as an ethical, legal and professional member of the healthcare team as determined by governing bodies.

      A comprehensive course portfolio will be required for graduation.

    Ready to get started?
    Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!
    Contact the School of Health Sciences

    Madison Truax Campus
    Health Building, 103

    1705 Hoffman Street
    Madison, Wisconsin 53704

    healthsciences@madisoncollege.edu
    608.616.1250

    Hours

    • Monday – Thursday: 8 am - 4 pm
    • Friday: 8 am - 12 pm (Help by phone or email)