Surgical Technology

Surgical Technology Program Mission.

The Surgical Technology program prepares competent entry-level Surgical Technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. We encourage holistic active learning experiences to graduate competent Surgical Technologists by instilling the values of evidence-based, ethical practice, professionalism, service, and life-long learning. We stress problem-solving, critical-thinking, and independent skill performance such that our graduates will provide quality care to the public in a positive and professional manner. Our mission is consistent with that of Central Penn College.

National Certification Examination for the Surgical Technologist.

The Central Penn College Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA).

Our students are eligible to sit for the National Certification Exam (NBSTSA) upon successful completion of all programmatic requirements, including clinical internship. After successfully passing this exam, the individual will be able to use the designation of CST-Certified Surgical Technologist. Information regarding how to apply to take the exam will be provided in the SUR299 course. Exams are offered online at local testing centers. If a candidate fails to pass the certification exam on the first attempt, there is a 30-day waiting period before the candidate may re-test. You may attempt to retest three times with a minimum of 30 days between tests. After the third attempt, you must wait one year (with remediation) before your fourth and final attempt.

Program learning objectives.

• Apply knowledge and skills during the pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative phases of patient care safely.
• Demonstrate a strong surgical conscience and accountability and understand legal implications of an individual’s actions as a member of the surgical team.
• Employ appropriate ethical, professional, and respectful values while providing care to diverse populations within the healthcare system.
• Incorporate the principles of anesthesia administration and explain each component of anesthesia preparation of the surgical patient.
• Recognize the basic physical and biological needs required to sustain life, respect various spiritual and cultural needs, and demonstrate appropriate behavior in response to these needs.
• Demonstrate the methods of processing items during terminal disinfection and/or sterilization and apply principles of sterile storage and handling of sterile supplies.
• Describe common and specialty surgical procedures including general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, genitourinary, otorhinolaryngology, orthopedic, oral and maxillofacial, plastic and reconstructive, ophthalmic, cardiothoracic, peripheral vascular, and neurosurgery.

UPMC, UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, and Central Penn College are working together to bring more skilled surgical technologists to the region. Students who successfully complete the program and are hired by UPMC will receive financial assistance up to full reimbursement of all tuition costs; students who work at UPMC for three years following graduation will have the full tuition cost of the program reimbursed.

Central Penn College also is making the CPC Housing Scholarship available to all qualifying Surgical Technology AAS Program enrollees who choose to live on campus.

To be considered for admission into a degree or professional certificate program, students must be a high school graduate or have received a General Equivalency Diploma (GED), Pennsylvania Home School Diploma or other recognized equivalency diploma. High School Students applying with an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher may be considered for regular admission. Students applying with a GPA below a 2.0 in high school or from another college or university, if accepted, will be admitted conditionally. Please submit an application for admission and a copy of high school and/or college transcript(s). Some applicants may be required to attend a personal interview with the Admissions Office.

An admission essay may be deemed optional for all applicants whose GPA meets or exceeds the minimum for acceptance into the desired program. For certificates and degrees in the Schools of Humanities and Business, the minimum GPA for acceptance is 2.0. For most Health Sciences certificates and degrees, unless otherwise specified, the minimum GPA is 2.2.

Admission Requirements.

The Surgical Technology Program must limit enrollment due to classroom space and available clinical facilities. Minimum academic standards may be set. Students will be ranked according to the following admissions criteria: 1. Applicants for the Surgical Technology program must have a high school diploma with a 2.5 GPA or higher or GED of 500 or higher and have completed two sciences with a C or higher; completed 1 algebra with a C or higher; and complete the reference application form. 2. Students must have a minimum GPA of a 2.5 from the official transcripts from the last school attended to be considered for acceptance. 3. References: All applicants are required to submit two professional references obtained within 12 months of the application date. (Reference forms can be obtained from the Admissions Office. 4. Interview and Essay: Students desiring to enter the field of Surgical Technology are expected to have effective oral and written communication skills in order to be able to work with clinical staff in the operating room. Each applicant will be rated on communication skills, professionalism, knowledge and enthusiasm for the profession, and their personal attributes as related to their compatibility with the Surgical Technology profession. Students will also be required to conduct an interview with a member of the Surgical Technology faculty and write an essay on site. Must complete admissions interview. 5. If the student does not meet these criteria, they are able to file an appeal for acceptance to the Program Director. All core courses must be taken at Central Penn College.

The Surgical Technology Program curriculum is based upon a sequential, developmental design that first focuses on knowledge, progresses to application, and then finally to mastery of the skills required of an entry-level Surgical Technologist. Early coursework builds a foundation with the fundamentals such as biopsychosocial needs of the patient, understanding the basic concepts of electricity, information technology (IT), robotics, and appropriate attire. Courses then proceed to provide opportunities to apply clinical skills, practice clinical reasoning skills, and allow for integration of theory and practice. Final coursework emphasizes the development of professional behaviors and maintaining professional competency while mastering skills during the completion of internship for practical use and understanding of the material.

Students complete observation hours at participating facilities to support SUR115, SUR120 and SUR130, and a 120-case internship at the conclusion of the program; these experiences are in addition to the regular class schedule.

This program has Spring and Fall starts. Upcoming start dates: April 12, 2027, October 11, 2027.

Tuition and fees. Undergraduate tuition is $525 per credit for all majors. A Student/Technology Fee of $510 per term (5 or more credits) or $315 (4 or fewer credits) is required. A one-time $150 graduation fee applies.

Program fees. Surgical Technology program lab fee, per term $250; Surgical Technology certification practice & exam/app software (one time) $90.

Certification and other costs not covered by tuition. NBSTSA certification exam: $230 for AST members (AST membership $45 student / $80 graduate) or $340 for non-members (first-time applicants).

Books and other expenses. Variable expenses per term (estimates): textbooks $350–$450; course material fees approximately $50–$150 per course; personal $150–$250; transportation $150–$300. Uniforms (where required) are estimated at $100–$150.

Housing and meals. Campus housing per term: individual private bedroom $2,205, standard apartment bedroom $1,505, super suite bedroom $1,595, utilities $330. Meal plans per term range from $550 (Block 75) to $1,125 (14 Meal Plan); a $250 housing security deposit is required.

Financial aid. Central Penn College processes grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study through federal, state, private, and institutional sources to help eligible students meet some of those costs, including the Federal Pell Grant, PA State Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Work-Study and Federal Direct Stafford Loans. To apply for all federal and state financial aid programs, students must complete the FAFSA; Central Penn’s Federal School Code for FAFSA is 004890. To receive financial aid a student must be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program and be enrolled on at least a half-time basis (4 credits).

Payment options. Tuition and expenses are paid each term approximately three weeks before the term starts. Central Penn has a short-term three-month payment plan through CASHNet that divides the balance of the tuition owed by three payments; there is a $35 non-refundable application fee paid with the first payment. An Employer Reimbursement Tuition Agreement Plan lets students who receive tuition reimbursement from their employer defer payment until the specified dates.

Military benefits. Military benefits accepted include the Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapters 30 and 1606), Veterans Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31), the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) and Yellow Ribbon Program, Dependents’ Education Assistance (Chapter 35) and Tuition Assistance.

Net price calculator. Use Central Penn’s Net Price Calculator at https://npc.collegeboard.org/app/centralpenn for an early estimate of your total annual cost.

Careers you can pursue. Surgical Technologist.

Graduate outcomes. 94.7% of Surgical Technology graduates (19 graduates contacted) were employed in their field or continuing their education (One-Year Graduate Follow-up Report for graduates July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025, published July 1, 2026).

College-wide outcome. 89.2% of Central Penn graduates were employed in their chosen field or continuing their education within one year of graduation (graduates July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025; One-Year Graduate Follow-up Report published July 1, 2026).