Surgical Technology

Surgical Technology is a dynamic and essential healthcare profession that places you at the heart of the operating room team. Surgical technologists play a critical role in ensuring safe, efficient, and successful surgical procedures. They are responsible for preparing the operating room, maintaining the sterile field, assisting surgeons during procedures, and providing vital support before, during, and after surgery.

As a surgical technologist, you will:

• Work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses in high-stakes environments 
• Handle specialized surgical instruments and sterile equipment 
• Anticipate the needs of the surgical team during procedures 
• Protect patients from infection by maintaining a strict sterile field 
• Contribute directly to life-saving interventions

This is a profession that demands focus, precision, and integrity—but also offers deep rewards. Surgical technologists are guardians of safety, champions of teamwork, and advocates for patients when they are most vulnerable.

Whether assisting in a routine procedure or a complex emergency, your skills and calm under pressure will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives every single day.

Why Choose Surgical Technology?

• Fast-paced and hands-on work 
• Growing job demand across hospitals, surgery centers, and specialty clinics 
• Deep sense of purpose and professional pride 
• Opportunities for advancement in surgical assisting, education, and leadership

Campus Locations: Oxford and DeSoto 

Program Options:  

• Associate of Applied Science – 2 years 
• Career Certificate – 1 year

Admission to the Surgical Technology Program is competitive, and prospective students do not have to wait until the application opens to begin preparing.

Before entering the Surgical Technology Program, students must successfully complete each of the following prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher:

• Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab 
• English Composition I 
• College Algebra or Quantitative Reasoning 

Students are also strongly encouraged to complete as many of the remaining Associate of Applied Science general education courses as possible before beginning the Surgical Technology sequence. The professional portion of the program combines demanding classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory preparation, and clinical education. Completing general education coursework in advance allows students to focus more fully on developing the knowledge, technical skills, critical thinking, and professional judgment required in the operating room.

Relevant coursework may also be considered as part of the competitive application scoring process. Prospective students should work with an academic advisor to develop an appropriate course plan.

Applicants must:

• Be 18 years of age or older before beginning required clinical education 
• Be admitted to Northwest Mississippi Community College 
• Have a high school diploma or GED and official transcripts from all colleges attended on file with the Office of Admissions and Records 
• Have an ACT composite score of 16 or higher on file 
• Successfully complete all required prerequisite courses 
• Obtain an NWCC student ID number 
• Submit a separate Surgical Technology Program application during the published application period 
• Submit a separate program application for each campus if applying to both Oxford and DeSoto 

The Fall 2027 Surgical Technology Program application will become available in May 2027. Admission is competitive, and submission of an application does not guarantee selection.

All eligible applications will be scored using a revised objective and holistic scoring rubric, which considers:

• ACT score
• GPA
• Prior healthcare experience and coursework
• Essay response
• Interview, if required

A copy of the scoring rubric and essay instructions can be found on the Surgical Technology Application Resources Page.

• It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials are submitted by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Students must provide a valid and frequently checked email address.
• If you are not selected for admission in the current cycle, you must reapply in the next cycle to be considered again.

Your application essay is an important part of the selection process. It should reflect your own thoughts, experiences, and writing. Use of AI-generated content (e.g., ChatGPT, Grammarly) or outside authors is strongly discouraged. Essays that appear inauthentic or generic may negatively impact your score.

• Total Possible Points: 50
  • ACT Composite Score
    16–18 = 1 | 19–21 = 2 | 22–24 = 3 | 25–27 = 4 | 28+ = 5
  • Cumulative College GPA
    2.5–2.9 = 2 | 3.0–3.49 = 3 | 3.5–3.79 = 4 | 3.8+ = 5
  • Healthcare Experience
    ​​​​​​​None = 0 | Shadowing ≤20 hrs = 1 | 21+ hrs or part-time = 2 | Full-time = 3
  • Relevant Coursework
    ​​​​​​​Medical Terminology = 1 | Anatomy & Physiology I = 1 | Anatomy & Physiology II = 1 | Microbiology = 1
  • Highest Degree Earned
    ​​​​​​​None = 0 | Certificate = 1 | Associate = 2 | Bachelor’s = 3 | Master’s+ = 4
  • Essay – See Essay Rubric
  • Interview – See Interview Rubric

Essay Scoring Rubric

In addition to academic criteria, applicants are evaluated on professional attributes essential to success in surgical technology, including:

• Professionalism and maturity
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking and judgment
• Emotional readiness for high-pressure environments

Oxford Campus
Director: Lindsey Powell | Phone: (662) 281-1912 | Office: Lafayette-Yalobusha Technical Center in Oxford
Address: 1310 Belk Blvd. Oxford, MS 38655

DeSoto Campus
Lead Instructor: Celia Barham | Phone: (662) 996-2683 | Office: DeSoto Campus
Address: 5197 W.E. Ross Parkway W, Southaven, MS 38671

Note: Email is the best form of communication for either campus contact

Surgical Technology Course Curriculum

Program Pathway
Credential: Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology
Surgical Technology core course sequence: Three consecutive semesters
Campus locations: Oxford and DeSoto
Next cohort: Fall 2027

The Associate of Applied Science pathway combines required general education coursework with concentrated Surgical Technology instruction. Once admitted, students progress through the Surgical Technology courses as a cohort, gaining the classroom knowledge, laboratory skills, and supervised clinical experience needed to enter the profession.

As a graduation requirement, students must sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Center for Competency Testing. Graduates who successfully pass the examination earn the TS-C credential.