A surgical assistant works with a team in the operating room.

Surgical Assisting (M.S.A.)

Join the rapidly growing field of surgical assisting with a degree from the only master's level Surgical Assisting program of its kind in the country.

Surgical Assisting (M.S.A.)

Surgical Assisting students in masks practice surgical tasks in an OR setting

Why surgical assisting?

The field of surgical assisting is expected to grow rapidly in the next several years, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Demand is high for certified health professionals who can:

Open and close surgical sites
Dissect and remove tissue
Implant devices during surgery

The surgical assisting program is the fastest pathway for individuals with a four-year degree or higher with no medical training to enter this specialized medical field.

Why choose us

100% pass rate

For more than 20 years, our students have achieved a 100% pass rate on certification exams.

100% job placement

All Surgical Assisting students have job offers prior to graduation.

3 times more cases

Our average student completes more than three times the number of cases required by the accreditation body.

What sets this school apart?

A close-up of a student's hands while practicing suture techniques at Suture Fest 2016

Cutting-edge techniques & facilities

Our program provides training in minimally invasive surgery and in surgical applications including robotics.

Cutting-edge techniques & facilities

Our SA students become certified in Robotic Assistance for the da Vinci Surgical System before graduation. Surgical assistants with this training are in high demand.

Working with equipment in high-tech facilities helps our students get ahead. The Human Anatomy Lab, Immersive and Simulation Lab and Center for Applied Surgical Technique include:

A plastination lab
An ultrasound lab
Gross and fresh cadaver labs
Mock operating rooms
Computerized trainers
A surgical skills lab

Training future leaders

Students take part in leadership training to help them advance and broaden their career options.

Training future leaders

Our surgical assisting students participate in a leadership certificate program and graduate with skills that can serve them in medical education, surgical services management and professional leadership settings.

First-year students organize and conduct Suture Fest and help medical students prepare for surgical training exposure.

Junior resident equivalency

Our graduates enter the workforce with the same level of experience as junior surgical residents.

Junior resident equivalency

Surgical assisting students learn the fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery, the same coursework required of surgical residents. The school requires students to complete 240 cases — 100 more than the number required by the accreditation body — but many students complete more than three times the required number of cases.

Graduates from our program have the equivalent surgical competency and clinical knowledge expected of a junior surgical resident.

Cutting-edge techniques & facilities

Our program provides training in minimally invasive surgery and in surgical applications including robotics.

An instructor demonstrates use of an ultrasound machine on a patient's knee.

Training future leaders

Students take part in leadership training to help them advance and broaden their career options.

Cutting-edge techniques & facilities

Our SA students become certified in Robotic Assistance for the da Vinci Surgical System before graduation. Surgical assistants with this training are in high demand.

Working with equipment in high-tech facilities helps our students get ahead. The Human Anatomy Lab, Immersive and Simulation Lab and Center for Applied Surgical Technique include:

A plastination lab
An ultrasound lab
Gross and fresh cadaver labs
Mock operating rooms
Computerized trainers
A surgical skills lab

Training future leaders

First-year students organize and conduct Suture Fest and help medical students prepare for surgical training exposure.

Surgical assisting students work with medical students practicing sutures.

Junior resident equivalency

Our graduates enter the workforce with the same level of experience as junior surgical residents.

Junior resident equivalency

Graduates from our program have the equivalent surgical competency and clinical knowledge expected of a junior surgical resident.

Cutting-edge techniques & facilities

Our program provides training in minimally invasive surgery and in surgical applications including robotics.

Training future leaders

Students take part in leadership training to help them advance and broaden their career options.

Junior resident equivalency

Our graduates enter the workforce with the same level of experience as junior surgical residents.

Cutting-edge techniques & facilities

Our SA students become certified in Robotic Assistance for the da Vinci Surgical System before graduation. Surgical assistants with this training are in high demand.

Working with equipment in high-tech facilities helps our students get ahead. The Human Anatomy Lab, Immersive and Simulation Lab and Center for Applied Surgical Technique include:

A plastination lab
An ultrasound lab
Gross and fresh cadaver labs
Mock operating rooms
Computerized trainers
A surgical skills lab

Training future leaders

First-year students organize and conduct Suture Fest and help medical students prepare for surgical training exposure.

Junior resident equivalency

Graduates from our program have the equivalent surgical competency and clinical knowledge expected of a junior surgical resident.

Ready to become a surgical assistant?

Apply now

A surgical assisting student listens at Suture Fest 2016.

Clinical placements

Manages and assigns students’ clinical placements. Students complete eight clinical rotations in their 12-month clinical training, at sites including:

Level 1 trauma facilities
Contract surgical service companies
Surgical centers, both private and outpatient
Hospitals and medical centers
Clinical facilities
Private practices

Effective Jan. 1, 2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics recognizes Surgical Assistant as a distinct profession, a decision that could positively impact working SAs.

Learn more

Who are our students?

Our students are highly motivated problem solvers, who possess the capacity and critical thinking skills needed to handle high-stress situations and be strong leaders in an operating room setting. Hear alumna Kenita Jackson's story.

Looking to hire one of our Surgical Assisting students? Are you a health adviser seeking more information? Find out more.

Surgical Assisting Brochure

Contact Us

Macon & Joan Brock
Virginia Health Sciences Surgical Assisting
at Old Dominion University
P.O. Box 1980
Norfolk, VA 23501

757-446-6165

VHS-SurgAsst@odu.edu

Get Directions

This website reflects current program information, including admission criteria and curricula. Information is subject to change.

Surgical Assisting (M.S.A.)

Join the rapidly growing field of surgical assisting with a degree from the only master's level Surgical Assisting program of its kind in the country.