Surgical Technology Program

Surgical Technology focuses on the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to support surgeons, registered nurses, anesthesiologists, and other members of the surgical team. Surgical Technologists help prepare operating rooms and patients for procedures, maintain sterile environments, pass instruments and supplies during surgery, and support safe and efficient surgical care.

The Berkeley College Surgical Technology Associate in Applied Science degree program combines classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory learning, and practical clinical experience. Students build a foundation in surgical technology theory and techniques, practice in on-site surgical laboratories that simulate the operating room environment, and complete clinical practicums at off-campus healthcare facilities.

The Surgical Technology degree program prepares students to work as valuable members of a surgical team, which most commonly includes surgeons, anesthesiologists, and circulating nurses.

Students engage in:

• A strong foundation in both the theory and techniques of Surgical Technology
• Hands-on learning in on-site surgical laboratories that simulate the surgical environment
• Valuable, practical experience gained through the completion of clinical practicums at off-campus healthcare facilities, under the supervision of instructors and professional practitioners
• Liberal arts and sciences courses that provide students with a foundation of skills and knowledge necessary to reason clearly and communicate effectively

Yes. Students participate in hands-on learning in on-site surgical laboratories that simulate a surgical environment. They also gain practical experience through clinical practicums at off-campus healthcare facilities under the supervision of instructors and healthcare professionals.

The Surgical Technology program is offered at Berkeley College's Woodland Park campus. Individuals who already hold the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential and want to earn an Associate's degree may be able to complete the program through Berkeley College Online®.

Surgical Technologists assist in surgical procedures under the direct supervision of surgeons and work closely with registered nurses and other surgical personnel. Most work in hospitals, but some work in outpatient care centers or in physicians' offices who perform outpatient surgery.

• Employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow 5 percent through 2034, faster than average for all occupations.

About 8,700 openings for surgical assistants and technologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Surgical Assistants and Technologists, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm (visited June 15, 2026).

For students enrolling in Fall 2026 and after, the Berkeley College Surgical Technology program is currently not accredited by a programmatic accrediting agency for Surgical Technology education. Berkeley College is seeking programmatic accreditation, but accreditation is not guaranteed or expected within a specific timeframe. Students should review certification eligibility requirements and employment expectations in the state where they plan to work.