Surgical Technology
Associate of Applied Science Degree / Registered Apprenticeship
65 Credits / 2 Years / 6 Semesters
(Students complete an associate degree of applied science through a degree-aligned apprenticeship.)
Financial Aid-Eligible
New Richmond
Combination of Online, Hybrid and On-Site instruction
Career Cluster: Health Sciences
Contact
Eric Lockwood, Director, Apprenticeships and Academies
715.246.1871
Email Eric
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What is an associate of applied science through a degree-aligned apprenticeship?
In an associate of applied science degree-aligned apprenticeship, students will earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in addition to the Certificate of Apprenticeship from the DWD-BAS. Students will complete a state-certified work-based training program that combines paid-related instruction and on-the-job training. All students enrolled in the Surgical Technology apprenticeship will be enrolled in the associate of applied science degree.
Registered Apprenticeship Overview
Surgical technologists are health professionals who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients in a variety of settings.
The surgical technologist works under medical supervision to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures. This individual works under the supervision of a surgeon to ensure that the operating room or 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 and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
Students complete an associate degree of applied science through a degree-aligned apprenticeship.
Graduates may be eligible to take a national certification exam through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
Program Outcomes
Northwood Technical College’s Surgical Technology Program aims to prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.
Surgical Technology graduates will be able to:
- Apply healthcare and technological science principles to the perioperative environment (Cognitive)
- Maintain principles of sterile technique in the surgical environment (Psychomotor)
- Provide a safe, efficient, and supportive environment for the patient (Psychomotor)
- Prepare the patient, operating room, and surgical team for the preoperative phase (Psychomotor)
- Perform intraoperative case management in the scrub role (Psychomotor)
- Perform postoperative case management (Psychomotor)
- Function as an ethical, legal, and professional member of the healthcare team as determined by governing bodies (Affective)
Academics
The Surgical Technology apprenticeship courses are available through a combination of Online, Hybrid, and On Site (for Apprenticeship Work Location) instruction.
Program Features
This two-year program includes 3,584 hours of on-the-job training, 816 hours of paid related instruction and 8 hours of unpaid related instruction.
Associate of Applied Science Degree – Aligned Apprenticeship
All students enrolled in the Surgical Technology apprenticeship will be enrolled in the associate of applied science degree.
Certification
Graduates may be eligible to take a national certification exam through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
Separate Instructional Sites (2024-2026 Cohort)
The ARC/STSA defines the use of an off-campus facility in which a portion of program instruction is delivered to students as a separate instructional site. The Surgical Technology program is available at Amery Hospital, Hudson Hospital, Western Wisconsin Health, and Westfields Hospital. Applicants must have an employer/sponsor.
Amery Hospital - 265 Griffin Street East, Amery, WI 54001
Hudson Hospital & Clinic - 405 Stageline Road, Hudson, WI 54016
Western Wisconsin Health - 110 Bergslien Street, Baldwin, WI 54002
Westfields Hospital - 535 Hospital Rd, New Richmond, WI 54017
Required Courses
Program courses are state-approved and designed specifically to meet employer needs. The coursework is designed specifically to the local employers needs.
Featured Surgical Technology Courses
Admissions and Tuition
Please see the details under the "Requirements and Application" section to get started.
Tuition and Fees
Northwood Tech breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available to help you pay for your education. It can come in the form of grants, loans, federal work-study, military and veterans benefits, division of vocational rehabilitation benefits, and scholarships.
Learn More About Paying for College
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the costs that you may incur while attending Northwood Technical College.
Estimated Total Program Tuition 2025-26*
Surgical Technology
65 Credits | 2 years | 6 Semesters
$10,732
There will be additional costs for unpaid related instruction in addition to the estimated tuition and fees listed above.
*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented.
After the Northwood Tech Surgical Technology Program
Upon completion of the apprenticeship, you will receive a Certificate of Apprenticeship Completion issued by the Department of Workforce Development - Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards (DWD-BAS).
Upon enrollment and completion of the associate of applied science degree program, you will earn a Surgical Technology Associate of Applied Science degree.
Accreditation
The Surgical Technology Apprenticeship program at Northwood Technical College had a site visit scheduled for pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org). This step in the process is neither a status of accreditation nor a guarantee that accreditation will be granted.
Contact
Eric Lockwood, Director, Apprenticeships and Academies
715.246.1871
Email Eric
Get the Northwood Tech experience
Attend an event or schedule a campus tour/program shadow.
Download the Catalog
Learn more about programs, courses, tuition and fees, services and more.
Finding the class you want to take has never been easier.
