Surgical Technology students in training
Observation Session Info & RSVP:

Applicants for this program must complete a two-hour observation session within our program's skills laboratory. The options for those applying by the March 2025 deadline are Nov. 12, 2024 or Feb. 11, 2025. Get details and RSVP.

Surgical Technology Application & Selection Process

Annual Application Deadline: March 15th

The Surgical Technology Services A.S. degree program is limited access and requires a separate application procedure described below in addition to the general Eastern Florida State College admissions process. Applicants are evaluated for admission based on the program's Selection Criteria, also explained below. For selection, you MUST satisfy entrance requirements so please carefully review the Selection Criteria and reach out to a Health Sciences advisor if you have questions.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Committee for this program is guided by the following criteria:

Grade Point Average (Mandatory)

All applicants are required to have at least a 2.5 GPA by the application deadline.

Work Experience / Health Science Education (Optional)

Points will be given for relevant work or education experience in only ONE of the following areas. Documentation must be provided with either the transcript showing the degree earned or the Verification of Health-Related experience form.

  • One year of full-time or equivalent work with direct patient care, related to a Health Science program will be awarded 2 points.
  • Graduate of a Health Sciences Program - One semester or less in length with 6 months work experience with direct patient care will be awarded 4 points.
  • Graduate of a Health Sciences Program - two semesters or more in length with 6 months work experience with direct patient care will result in 6 points.
  • Graduate with an A.A. degree or higher will result in 8 points.
  • Five years or more work experience as a Surgical Tech (on the job training) with direct patient care will result in 9 points.
  • Graduate with an A.S. degree in a Health Science Program with 6 months work experience with direct patient care will result in 10 points.
Meet with a Health Science Advisor

Students must meet with a Health Science Advisor during the semester they are applying. This is a mandatory requirement and will not be awarded points.

Students must turn in their signed Advising point sheet with their application materials.

Complete ALL General Education and Prerequisite/Support Course Work

Only college-credit courses completed with a grade of "C" or better can be used. Applicants will not be accepted if all classes listed below are not completed by the application deadline. These general education and support courses are outlined on the program curriculum and count toward the A.S. degree.

Completion of all the required A.S. degree general education courses (below) will result in 10 bonus points. 

  • General Biology (includes lab)
  • Composition 1
  • College Algebra (or equivalent)
  • Civic Literacy Requirement
  • Humanities Core Requirement

The following prerequisite/support courses must also be completed by the application deadline.

  • Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2
  • Microbiology
  • Medical Terminology (Advanced Medical Terminology is preferred)
  • General Psychology

Additionally, the following courses will be awarded points based on the grades earned: A=5 points, B=3 Points, and C=1. 

  • General Biology (includes lab)
  • Medical Terminology (Advanced Medical Terminology preferred)
  • Anatomy & Physiology I (includes lab) 
  • Anatomy & Physiology II (includes lab) 
  • Microbiology (includes lab) 

Students transferring to EFSC must have their transcript evaluated by the Registrar's Office before the application deadline.

Observation/Shadow Experience

As a part of the application criteria, the Surgical Technology Services program requires students to participate in observing our current students. Students must complete an observation within our program's skills laboratory.

All observations will be held on the Melbourne Campus, Building 15, Room 127. Sessions for applicants applying for a Fall 2025 start are November 12, 2024 or February 11, 2025, with both sessions from Noon to 2:30 PM.

View Fall & Spring Observations & RSVP

Failure to attend the observation/shadow experience after committing to a date may affect acceptance. If you cannot attend on the day you selected, please email the Program Manager, Constance Sanchez, to reschedule at sanchezc@easternflorida.edu.

Observation attendance is mandatory, and no points will be awarded.

Essay

All applicants are required to submit a one-page essay by the application deadline. Topic: "What is the role of a Surgical Technologist in the Operating Room?"

No points will be awarded for the required essay.

How to Apply for Surgical Technology Services

The ten-month Associate Degree Surgical Technology Services program begins each August, with an annual application deadline of March 15th to complete all of the steps below. As you apply, be sure to review the Selection Criteria and Point System that guides requirements and acceptance decisions.

For questions about the program or assistance with the application process, contact a Health Sciences Advisor at 321-433-7575 or healthscience@easternflorida.edu.

See a Health Science Advisor

See a Health Sciences Advisor to go over admissions criteria, deadlines, and to set up a course plan for completing prerequisite general education and support classes.

Students with myEFSC access should schedule Health Sciences Advising using the link in the Student Services Appointments section of myEFSC. Future Students with no EFSC login, use the guest appointment button.

Verify Your EFSC General Admissions Status

Proceed with this step based on whether you are a new, former, or current student using the information below.

New Students: Apply for General Admission to EFSC using the online application system and pay the $30 application fee. Send all official college transcripts to an EFSC General Admissions Office. Complete the online New Student Orientation and submit residency documentation to EFSC's General Admissions Office. Learn more about the admissions process and general admissions contacts.

Please note that application processing can take up to 14 days due to the current volume of applications. Check your email frequently for your acceptance letter.

Returning (Readmit) Students: Students who have not attended EFSC in over a year must apply online to EFSC as a readmit student. Submit any official transcripts earned since last attending EFSC (if applicable), and turn in residency documentation to General Admissions. Visit the admissions website to learn more about the readmit process.

Current Students can move on to the next step.

Complete Online Application for Surgical Technology Program

Complete the online application for Surgical Technology Services and submit it no later than March 15. There is $25 non-refundable fee for this application that must be paid no later than the application deadline.

Important Note: Students who have never attended EFSC or who need to readmit to the college must have completed the General EFSC Admissions process explained in the accordion step above prior to applying to the Surgical Technology Services program.

Complete Application Files by the Deadline

A file, containing the documents listed below, must be submitted to the Health Sciences Admissions Office on the Melbourne Campus, Building 15, Room 101 or via email: healthscience@easternflorida.edu by the application deadline.

  • Application to the Surgical Services Program and $25 application fee paid
  • An unofficial copy of EFSC transcript  (plus this transcript request form if you attended other colleges)
  • Proof of work experience (if applicable) with written verification.
  • Proof of Health Sciences educational experience substantiated by transcript or certificate, if applicable.
  • 1-page Essay (Topic: Explain “What is the role of a Surgical Technologist in the Operating Room?”)
  • Health Science Advising Point Sheet
  • If, at the application deadline, students are enrolled in a pre-requisite course, submit a copy of the current Canvas gradebook midterm status. (Students who are enrolled in prerequisite / support courses will not receive points for the class(es). Points can only be awarded for classes that are completed by the application deadline.)
  • Observation attended: Under the program's selection criteria are required to RSVP and attend an observation within our program's skills laboratory. View available Observation Sessions for Fall 2025 applicants.

THE APPLICANT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION PRIOR TO THE DEADLINE DATE.

Equal Access Policy

Eastern Florida State College is dedicated to providing a nondiscriminatory environment which promotes equal access, equal educational opportunity, and equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, race, national origin, color, ethnicity, genetic information, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, marital status, veteran status, ancestry, or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment.

EFSC recognizes the rights of students and applicants with disabilities, including those with hepatitis B, under the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.