Surgical Technology

(Harrison County Campus)

Fall or Spring Entry

This intensive, one-year Surgical Technology program is designed to prepare the student to enter the surgical environment as a surgical technologist. The surgical technologist assists physicians, anesthesiologists, and registered nurses in the care of patients during operations. Students learn to apply the principles of sterile technique required during operative procedures, the use of instruments and equipment, related surgical anatomy and pathology, wound classifications and healing, standard precautions, and extensive study of procedures from surgical sub-specialties and related areas.

Graduates will be eligible to take the national certifying examination to become certified surgical technologists. This program is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355 113th Street N., #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, Telephone number 727-210-2350, under the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, 19751 East Main Street Suite #339, Parker, CO 80138, Telephone number 303-741-3655.

Program Goals

The goals of the Surgical Technology program include;

• Facilitate student learning and instruction to attain state mandated competencies in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domain
• Provide the student with skills and knowledge to graduate and function as members of the surgical team
• Prepare graduates to successfully pass the AST certification exam and become nationally certified.

Admission Procedure

1. Make application and be accepted to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Application can be completed online.
2. Submit copies of official transcripts of all schools attended to the Office of Admissions. All transcripts must be reviewed by the Office of Admission for determination of course credits.
3. Meet all Academic Requirements (listed below) and complete any program pre-requisites or Entry Requirements.

After successful completion and submission of ALL academic and entry requirements (See section below), the student is eligible to complete the Surgical Technology Supplemental Application for Program Admission.
                                                       
Fall Semester Application Submission: Between April 15th and July 1st complete and submit the online Supplemental Application. 

Spring Semester Application Submission: Between August 15th and November 1st complete and submit the online Supplemental Application. 
                                          
To complete and submit the online Supplemental Application:

1. Visit Web Services
2. Select Student
3. Select School of Nursing and Health Professions Supplemental Application.                      

Thereafter, the applicant MUST read the guidelines carefully.  In order to complete and submit the application, college admission and ALL pre-requisite requirements are required.

Supplemental Application Deadline Dates:    

• Fall Semester - July 1
• Spring Semester - November 1                                                          

(If deadline falls on a weekend, holiday, or closing, the deadline is 5 p.m. on the next college business day). ALL required test scores, transcripts, and entry items (CBC, pre-orientation, etc.) must be completed with results placed in Banner (MGCCC’s computer information system) by the appropriate college employee prior to the deadline. In addition, any outstanding college holds must be clear in order for the applicant to complete and submit the supplemental program application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  (MGCCC reserves the right to review additional supplemental applications following the posted deadline).

Academic and Entry Requirements

• Achieve a minimum Accuplacer English Placement score (Traditional Exam = 175; Next Generation Exam = 502)
• Achieve a minimum Accuplacer Math Placement score (Traditional Exam = 53; Next Generation Exam = 231)
• Complete the following Prerequisite Courses: BIO 2514, BIO 2524, ENG 1113 and MAT 1313
• Hold a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 on college work with no grade less than “C” on any Academic Core courses in the SUT curriculum
• Review the online mandatory Pre-School of Nursing and Health Professions Orientation Session prior to completing the supplemental application for program ranking.  The session can be viewed anytime and anywhere you have access to the internet.  The Power Point presentation gives you valuable information on topics common to all School of Nursing and Health Professions programs at MGCCC.   Even without the ability to speak directly or interact immediately with a School of Nursing and Health Professions advisor, the session speaks to frequently asked questions from program entrance to completion.  In order to receive credit for viewing the session, follow the steps below.  The information is approximately one (1) hour in length.                                                              

To complete this requirement do the following:

1. Visit Web Services.
2. Select Student.
3. Select School of Nursing and Health Professions Supplemental Application Orientation Session.                                                                                      
4. In order to receive credit, you must review the entire session.
5. Click survey complete so that your log-in information will be recorded in the college’s BANNER system.   

• Hold a current American Heart Association CPR for Healthcare Providers certification
• Comply with Mississippi law requiring a Criminal Background History Check with Fingerprinting through the Mississippi Department of Health. All students making application to a School of Nursing and Health Professions program at MGCCC are required to obtain a clear or acceptable Criminal Background Check from the MGCCC Campus Police Department at HC, JC, Perkinston, or GC Campus.  The criminal background check policy (including testing dates and times) can be viewed at School of Nursing and Health Professions Criminal Background Check Policy .

Selection Process

Program openings are filled based on Selective Admission; applicants are ranked based on their individual achievement test scores and prior college course work. Student ranking for entry into the SUT program is based on a point system. Students are awarded points for their required ACCUPLACER, general education prerequisite course grades, and cumulative GPA. 

Program enrollment is a floating number which can fluctuate each year based on availability of clinical rotation slots. Students who are selected are also held to the following program policies.

SUT Program Policies

• All students are required to submit to substance testing in accordance with the substance testing policy and procedures for the School of Nursing and Health Professions. The testing policy can be viewed by clicking here: School of Nursing and Health Professions Substance Testing Policy .
• The School of Nursing and Health Professions requires proof of Immunizations and/or CPR. Submission of all required documents will begin following program acceptance. Failure to meet the requirements will result in withdrawal/dismissal.
• Upon admission to the Surgical Technology Program, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA on the required courses and complete each course with a C or better.
• Adherence to additional clinical affiliation requirements may be necessary depending on clinical rotation placement. (i.e. hospital orientation, HIPAA training, CPR certification)
• The School of Nursing and Health Professions Student Manual can be viewed here  

SUT program – Cost List (Estimate only)

Prior to Entering Program

• Criminal Background Check $65 - $80 (MGCCC Campus Police)

Once Admitted into Program

• General MGCCC Tuition and Fees
• Career and Technical Program Fee $40 per credit hour
• Pre-admission Physical Exam and Immunizations $200 - $300                                              
• Books $800 - $1000 (plus rental fees, if applicable)                                                                   
• Substance Testing $29 - $35 per semester                           
• Liability Insurance $12 -$15 per semester
• Additional purchase items, supplies $50 - $100                    
• Uniform, Accessories $150 - $200
• National Board Exam Application Fee $250 - $300

Cost may be subject to change