Students enrolled in the 71-credit-hour Master of Surgical Assisting Program will complete 45 credits of didactic training and 24 credits of clinical year.
Didactic Phase (37 Credit Hours)
Our immersive experience allows for direct observation and active participation with the surgical team to develop the critical clinical skills surgical assistants need. Students are exposed to surgical services, including perioperative, intraoperative and postoperative patient care, and ancillary surgical services, such as central sterile services and pathology.
This training complements the hands-on instruction students receive in the surgical environment. Our students enter the clinical phase of the program with practical experience in the operating room and a strong foundation of surgical knowledge.
Clinical Phase (35 Credit Hours)
In contrast to other accredited programs, our program manages and assigns students' clinical placements. At the end of the clinical phase, students:
- Have completed eight clinical rotations.
- Have performed the duties of and served in the role of the surgical assistant in at least 240 cases.
- Have the equivalent competencies expected of a junior surgical resident.
- Are eligible to sit for the national certification exam.
