Associate of Science - Surgical Technology

The Lasell University Surgical Technology Associate Program is a sixteen-month, full-time, associate of science degree program that prepares you to become an entry-level Surgical Technologist. 

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the mission of the Lasell University Surgical Technology Associate Program is to educate competent and compassionate healthcare professionals to care for culturally diverse populations and to communicate effectively with patients and other healthcare professionals. 

We previously offered a Surgical Technology Certificate that has now transitioned into an Associate's degree to meet CAAHEP standards. 

What is a Surgical Technologist?

Surgical technologists are healthcare professionals who support surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses, and other surgical personnel in an operating room to deliver optimal patient care. Essential members of the surgical team, surgical technologists engage in preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative job duties that include preparing the operating room, securing supplies, setting up equipment and instruments, anticipating the surgeon’s needs during the surgical procedure, passing instruments, fluids and supplies, and monitoring and assessing room conditions. Surgical Technologists are responsible for maintaining the sterile field and being constantly vigilant that all operating room team members adhere to the proper sterile technique. 

Surgical Technology Program Mission

The mission of the Lasell University Surgical Technology Program is to prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession while providing a student-centered learning environment that fosters the academic, professional, and personal growth of students. The program is built upon three core values: Academic Integrity, Social Responsibility, and Clinical Excellence.  See our program goals here.

What you will learn

The Surgical Technology Program at Lasell University is a hybrid program that includes courses on-campus, online, and hospital-based clinical rotations.  The program offers students a comprehensive educational experience inclusive of didactic, psychomotor, and clinical education in the state-of-the-art Alexander Science and Technology Center on the Lasell University campus. The application of laboratory skills will be completed in a clinical setting at hospitals statewide.

• Basic science, medical terminology, and technology
• Operating room safety, policy and procedure
• Principles of aseptic and sterile techniques
• Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative skills and responsibilities

Clinical Rotation

Students will scrub in on at least 120 surgical procedures at affiliated hospitals and medical centers to meet the clinical education requirement.  All didactic and lab courses must be completed with a grade of C or better to complete all program requirements for graduation.  

Before starting the clinical rotation, students are required to obtain a basic background check, and current CPR certification card and provide proof of vaccination or titers for; MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, TDAP, TB screening, Flu, and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Tuition

The Surgical Technology program tuition is $437 per credit, for non-SURG courses, and $640 per credit for SURG courses. The estimated total tuition cost for the program is $30,000. Students may incur additional costs associated with course materials and supplies, transportation, and parking fees for clinical rotations. 

Pathway to a Bachelor's Degree

The courses taken in the Surgical Technology program can be used towards earning a Bachelor of Health Science degree. 

Surgical Technologist Job Demand & Outlook

According to The Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the demand for Surgical Technologists is expected to increase by 6% nationally over the next decade. 

Career Outcomes & Salary 

Graduates could find jobs in various healthcare settings, such as hospital operating rooms, private surgery clinics, outpatient care centers, ambulatory surgical centers, and medical equipment sales.  

During this 16-month 62-credit accelerated program, students will maintain a C (73) or better in all courses to successfully advance through the program. The cohort-based model requires students to take SURG courses sequentially. All courses are delivered online (synchronous and asynchronous) except SURG courses, which are offered in person. Successful completion of all required courses and with the program director's permission, students are eligible for the national surgical technology certification exam offered by the National Board of Surgical Technologists and Surgical Assistants (NBSTSA). 

Sample of Course Descriptions

BIO101 - Principles of Biology I

This is an introductory lecture and laboratory course in biology to develop an appreciation for the patterns and functions that characterize living organisms. Emphasis is placed on cellular biology. Topics include: the chemistry of life, cell structure, and cell metabolism (respiration, photosynthesis, protein synthesis.) Co-requisites: BIO101L.

*Online version of this course includes a virtual lab component

BIO104 - Foundations in the Health Professions

This course explores various health care professions including educational and licensing requirements. The concepts of professionalism, professional interactions, cultural competence, diversity, equity, and inclusion, health care teams, and current healthcare policies will be addressed throughout the course. Students will increase their knowledge of the various health care professions through interactions with guest speakers, problem-based learning assignments, and projects. 

BIO206 - Anatomy & Physiology I

This is a comprehensive course focusing on the structure and function of the human body. The course introduces students to aspects of human biology ranging from the chemical basis of life and cell biology to the anatomy and physiology of the major organ systems. Topics covered include cell biology, major body tissues, and the structure and function of the following systems: skin, skeletal, muscular, and nervous. The laboratory component includes dissection. Corequisite: BIO 205L. 

*Online version of this course includes a virtual lab component 

BIO211 – Microbiology

This lecture and laboratory introduce the microbial world and the laboratory techniques required for its study. Topics include the basic characteristics of fungi, algae, bacteria, and viruses. Topics and applications that relate to humans are emphasized. Prerequisite: BIO101. Corequisite: BIO211L 

SURG 101 Surgical Technologist I

In this course, students complete a lecture and laboratory component that introduces them to the principles and practice of surgical technology. Students will be introduced to the basics of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative surgical case management. Topic addresses throughout this course include organization and layout of operating rooms; hospital administration; patient care and safety; sterilization techniques; surgical pharmacology and anesthesia; preparation, care, and handling of instrumentation; operation room equipment and supplies; surgical wound closure; wound healing and management; development of surgical conscience; and ethical, moral, and legal issues in health care. Successful completion of this course with a C or better is required for clinical placement.  Successful completion of this course with a C or better is required for clinical placement

SURG 201 Surgical Technologist II

This course provides students with extensive clinical practice in surgical procedures. Students engage in the application of didactic knowledge through laboratory application and clinical practice. Didactic material is presented by specialty area and reinforced by relevant science knowledge, pathologies, diagnostic testing and procedures, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative procedures, instrumentation and equipment, pharmacology, and operating room patient preparation. Pre-requisite SUR 101 and all first-semester courses.  

SURG 301 Surgical Technologist III

This course emphasizes career readiness and prepares students for the transition to practice. Throughout this course, students will prepare for the National Certificate Examination offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) upon graduation. Additional topics covered in this course include resume writing, interviewing skills, and acquiring basic computer, and technology skills. Students will develop their oral and written communication skills to support professional interactions in the workplace. This course requires program director's permission.  

For an in-depth look at the goals, policies and program details visit: The Student Handbook.

 This Associate's degree is suited for students who have graduated High School and are interested in a career in the medical field. It is also an excellent option for students with a college degree or some college credits but looking to change careers.

This program offers 2 starts in September and May.    

The Priority Decision deadline is March 27, 2025. Applicants who submit by this date will receive expedited review and an early decision. Applications received after the deadline will be considered in a second round and may be placed on a waitlist due to limited spots in the program.

Admission Requirements Checklist:

• Complete an online application form
• Official College Transcript or Official High School transcript or GED record if you have less than 12 credits of college-level work
  • Transcripts/diplomas with coursework completed outside the United States must be evaluated by CED, WES, or SpanTran.
• Personal statement that addresses the following prompt:
  • In 500 words, tell us why you have chosen the path to become a Surgical Technologist and how you see yourself caring for patients.
• 1 letter of recommendation from a supervisor, faculty, or teacher

Your documents can be uploaded to the Lasell Application Portal.

What we look for:

• Strong academics, as our average GPA for admitted students is a 3.1 GPA
• Well-written personal statement that clearly addresses the prompt, shows passion for patient care, and accurately describes your motivation for becoming a Surgical Technologist
• Supportive letter of recommendation from a supervisor that discusses your potential to thrive in an Operating Room as a Surgical Technologist
• Solid understanding of the role and how a Surgical Technologist impacts patient care
• Professionalism throughout the application process

International Applicants: This program is not F-1 eligible.

Contact us:

The Office of Graduate Enrollment
Lasell University
1844 Commonwealth Ave. 
Newton, MA 02466
gradinfo@lasell.edu
617-243-2400

FAQS

Are there any courses that are helpful to have taken before starting the program? 

It is recommended but not required that students take a life sciences class in High School or College. Prior to starting clinical students are required to be certified in CPR.

How do I get my official High School or College transcripts? 

You can request your high school or college transcripts by either going through your school's self-service website or calling your school and requesting a transcript. Most College's Registrar Office will be able to help you in requesting a transcript. 

What if I am applying for a partner-pathway through my employer, do I need to do anything different?

No, you do not! You will complete the application as listed above, just be sure to list who your employer is on your application. 

Can I transfer credits into the degree?

Yes, certain courses can be transferred into the program. Science courses must have been completed within 5 years of the program's start, while non-science courses must have been completed within 10 years. To qualify for transfer, all courses must have a grade of C (2.0) or higher. For specific inquiries about eligible transfer credits, please email gradinfo@lasell.edu.

When will I hear about my decision?

All applicants will receive a decision after the application deadline. We begin reviewing after the deadline and review all applications at once. This process can take 2-4 weeks and if you are applying through one of our partner-pathways there may be additional steps such as shadowing and/or interviewing.