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SUCCESS IS

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS

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About Our Program

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Accreditation 

The Surgical Technology program at Amarillo College follows the standards developed by the American College of Surgeons, the American Hospital Association, the Association of Surgical Technologists, and the Association of Operating Room Nurses. The program is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

CAAHEP Commission on Accreditation 

9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775-7709

Accreditation Review Committee on Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting

19751 East Mainstreet, Suite 339
Parker, CO 80138

Surgery in Progress with Instruments

How Long Does it Take

Earn your Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Surgical Technology in as little as 2 years.

Surgical Technologists play a vital role assisting surgeons in the operating room.

When an operating room swings into action, surgical technologists are ready and waiting to play a vital role in the perioperative team trained to ensure patient safety and surgical outcomes.

Surgical technologists work closely with surgeons, RNs and anesthesia personnel to ensure the preparation of the operating room for the surgical patient. Whether it be a scheduled surgical procedure or an emergency, surgical technologists anticipate the needs of the surgeon to ensure the flow of the operating room. Surgical technologists have a vast knowledge of sterilization, instrumentation, anatomy and the order of the surgical procedures.

Employment opportunities range from large hospital operating rooms, surgery centers, labor and delivery, eye surgery centers, endoscopy labs, physician’s offices and instrument processing management. Sales opportunities are also possible with major surgical companies as well as teaching. It is rewarding work that makes a positive difference in the lives of many.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Program Admission

If you are a student seeking entry into the Surgical Technology Program, we require you to first review the Steps to Apply.

Next, read the Application Considerations for the Surgical Technology Program in order to understand what is required of you as a candidate.

Finally, you must file the specific Health Science Application and complete the additional admission procedures as required.

About Our Program

  • Students who would like to begin the program in the fall must have the application and all supporting documents on file by the April 10, 2026 deadline. 
  • Required TEAS Exam by the April Deadline.
    View the point criteria for admission in the Application Considerations.
  • Applications will be reviewed, and a new class will be selected around the first week of June.
  • In order to be selected for the fall class, we recommend students to complete Anatomy & Physiology I and II, along with Medical Terminology, prior to the start of the program.
  • The program is considered full-time. Class, Lab and Clinical days are Monday through Thursday: 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Class/Lab or 6:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Clinicals.
  • All immunizations, CPR, and Criminal Background check will be completed through American Data Base/Complio.
    • *Must have all three hepatitis-B immunizations prior to beginning of the program.

Additional Program Details

Admission Criteria

  • Have a high school diploma or a GED.
  • Be 18 years old at the completion of the program. 
  • Complete an application to Amarillo College. All transcripts must be on file in the registrars office and accessible on Colleague, the College's database.
  • Complete and submit the Health Sciences Application (https://acconnect.actx.edu/forms/health/)
  • Be able to fully participate in the normal laboratory and clinical activities required by the Surgical Tech program as described in the Functional Requirements document.  A medical release, signed by a physician, may be required to document that this criterion is met.
  • ‌Overall Cumulative GPA - must have at least a 2.0 G.P.A. in completed college courses to be eligible for admission
Informational Meeting

Prior to completing the application, students must attend an Informational Meeting on the Amarillo College West Campus Health Science Simulation Center. You will need to attend one of the following dates:

  • Friday, February 20, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Health Science Simulation Center, Room 104.
  • Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 5:00 pm at Health Science Simulation Center, Room 104.
  • Monday, March 23, 2026 at 6:00 pm at Health Science Simulation Center, Room 104.
  • Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 6:00 pm at Health Science Simulation Center, Room 104.
TEAS Admission Assessment Exam
  • Program applicants must complete the TEAS Exam. Exam results must be within the application period (Jan-May) of the application year.  
  • Applicants with a composite TEAS score below 58.7% (proficient) will not be considered for admission. 
  • Only one TEAS attempt is permitted per admission cycle.
Acceptance Timeline
  • The program application period ends on April 10, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. 
  • In the event of a tie for the 20th position, acceptance will be based on the earliest application submission and TEAS exam completion date.
  • Initial acceptance emails will be sent to the applicant's official AC email on June 10, 2026. 
  • After receiving the acceptance email, you must reply within the specified time to assure your position for the fall class.
  • Students accepted to the next class will start the program in August.
  • After conditional acceptance to the Surgical Tech Program, the applicant will be required to submit the following documents:
    • Background check through Complio
    • 10-Panel drug screen through Complio

If you are denied acceptance into the program, you may re-apply to be considered for the following Fall semester.

Legislation requires students entering Texas public colleges and universities to be assessed for reading, mathematics, and writing skills before they enroll in any collegiate course work for credit, unless exempt. The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) was established in 2003 by TEC code 51.307. TSI is designed to ensure that students have the academic skills necessary for effective performance in college-level course work. Assessments used at Amarillo College for TSI purposes are THEA (Texas Higher Education Assessment) and ACCUPLACER. Results of these assessments are used by advisors to place students into appropriate course work and to help students achieve academic success at Amarillo College. Assessments are administered by Testing Services located in Room 101 in the Student Service Center. Testing schedules may be obtained in Testing Services or by accessing the Testing Services web page at www.actx.edu/testing.

A surgical technologist's career involves assisting surgeons in the operating room by preparing instruments, setting up sterile fields, and managing equipment, requiring detailed knowledge, remaining calm under pressure, and teamwork, with strong job growth and opportunities to specialize or advance into management/assistant roles after getting a certificate or associate's degree.

Hospitals and surgery centers are the primary employers of Surgical Techs.

Learn more about being a Surgical Tech from The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting https://www.nbstsa.org.