Admission Requirements

The Surgical Technology program uses a competitive admission process to select students. Program faculty and the Admissions Office staff designed the process to ensure maximum opportunity for student success in the program. The program admits students once per year at the beginning of spring semester. Prospective students may gain admission to the college initially as Healthcare Assistant or Healthcare Science program students/applicants to Surgical Technology in order to complete any learning support classes and required general core and health core courses.

Applicants must submit all required documentation to the Admissions Office by September 1 of the year they seek admission to the program in order to receive consideration in the selection process. Applicants who are on academic probation or are academically dismissed from the college as of the application deadline will not be considered for admission. Applicants not selected may reapply during subsequent admission intake periods. There is no waiting list between intake periods; applicants must complete the application process for each attempt for entry into the program.

Applicants must submit the following information to the Admissions Office by the application deadline for the year the seek admission to the program:

Completed and signed application for admission and a $25 nonrefundable application fee.

• Official high school or GED transcripts and/or official college transcripts from all colleges attended in the past (see General Admission Requirements).
• Valid ACCUPLACER, COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT test scores (see ACCUPLACER Placement Examination).
• Proof of legal presence in the United States.
• Scores from the Assessment Technologies Institute Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS) (see Selective Admission Examinations).
• Completed and signed Intent form. Blank forms are available on the college website.

Applicants must take the ATI TEAS examination no later than August in order to receive consideration in the selection process. Applicants must also attend a mandatory pre-admission orientation session if invited. Failure to attend or to make alternate arrangements to obtain necessary information will result in the forfeiture of admission to the program.

Students must complete the following general core and health core courses prior to enrolling in Surgical Technology (SURG) classes:

• Associate Degree Program: ALHS 1090, BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L, BIOL 2114, BIOL 2114L, BIOL 2117, BIOL 2117L, FSSE 1000, MATH 1103 (or higher)
• PLEASE NOTE: Beginning August 1, 2022, the surgical technology diploma program will no longer be offered and going forward any student who wishes to enter the surgical technology program will only be able to apply for the associate degree option. If you have any questions or would like any additional information in regard to the surgical technology program, please reach out to the Surgical Technology program chair, Mr. Jamey Watson, at jwatson@athenstech.edu.
  

Students must have the following documents on file in the Surgical Technology Office prior to entering SURG 2110:

• Basic cardiac life support certification.
• Verification of accident and malpractice insurance (see Malpractice Insurance).
• Record of physical exam with a physician's statement that the student is in satisfactory health. PPD and/or chest x-ray results, hepatitis screen results, and documentation of immunity to rubella, measles, varicella, and influenza vaccination.
• A signed document acknowledging that the commission of a felony before or during their enrollment in this program may prevent graduates from participating in clinical activities and/or taking the certification exam to become surgical technologists, and that they may be required to complete drug testing and/or background checks at their own expense prior to participating in internships, practicum, or clinical activities at certain host sites for these activities (see Drug Testing/Background Checks). Blank documents are available from the program chair and the college website