Harper College will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.

Career options ![]()
Prepare for a career in surgical technology with this program. Working closely with surgeons, surgical technologists ensure that the operating room is fully prepared with surgical instruments, properly functioning equipment, and environmental conditions that maximize patient safety.
Take classes in human anatomy, medical terminology, human physiology, surgical pharmacology, surgical procedures, clinical applications and more. Students learn in Harper's new state-of-the-art Surgical Technology Suite.
This is a limited-enrollment program. Please review this program's admission criteria and process.
This 62 credit-hour curriculum prepares the student for a career as a Surgical Technologist. Surgical technologists are integral members of the healthcare team, providing surgical care to patients in a variety of settings such as operating rooms and outpatient surgical centers. They possess expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic techniques to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. The surgical technologist works directly under the supervision of the surgeon during invasive surgical procedures to ensure that the operating room environment is fully prepared with surgical instruments, properly functioning equipment and environmental conditions that maximize patient safety. Students will engage in clinical experiences built upon didactic instruction in healthcare sciences, technological sciences, patient care concepts, and surgical procedures. Because of the nature of clinical experiences, individualized instruction, and specialized technology/equipment, this program assesses a higher tuition rate for courses with the SUR prefix. Students pay 1.5 the regular rate of tuition. Surgical Technology is a limited enrollment program. For admission requirements, please contact the Admissions Outreach Office at 847.925.6700 or visit harpercollege.edu. Students who apply for this limited enrollment program are obligated to meet current admission requirements and follow program curriculum as defined at the time of acceptance to the program.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Prerequisites | ||
| A grade of C or better in all BIO and HSC courses is required. | ||
| BIO 260 | Human Anatomy1 | 4 |
| HSC 112 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| Hours | 6 | |
First Semester | ||
| A grade of C or better is required in all BIO and SUR courses. | ||
| BIO 261 | Human Physiology | 4 |
| SUR 100 | Orientation to the Profession | 1 |
| SUR 101 | Surgical Pharmacology | 2 |
| SUR 102 | Fundamentals of Surgical Technology | 4 |
| SUR 110 | Fundamentals of Sterile Processing | 3 |
| SUR 111 | Fundamentals/Sterile Processing Laboratory | 1 |
| Hours | 15 | |
Second Semester | ||
| A grade of C or better is required in all SUR courses. | ||
| ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 |
| Mathematics 2 | 3 | |
| SUR 103 | Fundamentals/Surgical Technology Laboratory | 2 |
| SUR 104 | Surgical Procedures I | 3 |
| SUR 106 | Intermediate Surgical Procedures | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
Summer Session | ||
| A grade of C or better is required in all SUR courses. | ||
| SUR 105 | Clinical Applications I | 2 |
| Hours | 2 | |
Third Semester | ||
| A grade of C or better is required in all SUR courses. | ||
| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
| SUR 202 | Clinical Applications II | 5 |
| SUR 211 | Complex Surgical Procedures | 3 |
| SUR 213 | Surgical Procedures IV | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
Fourth Semester | ||
| A grade of C or better is required in all SUR courses. | ||
| AAS General Education elective(s) + | 3 | |
| SUR 214 | Advanced Clinical Application | 4 |
| SUR 215 | Surgical Procedures V | 3 |
| SUR 220 | Surgical Technology Professional Seminar | 1 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Total Hours | 62 | |
Must be completed no earlier than seven years prior to beginning the Surgical Technology program.
Students using math competency must take a three credit-hour AAS General Education course. See Math Competency options for information. See full list of AAS General Education electives.
Students must choose a 3 credit-hour course that meets the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement. See full list of AAS General Education electives.
For more information about this program, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form.