Surgical Technology Admissions
Applications are only accessible during each program’s designated application window.
The application window for the Fall 2025 semester is closed.
Fall 2026 Admissions Requirements
The admission requirements and information outlined below are based on the Fall 2026 admission cycle (2026-2027 academic year). The application is expected to open in early March 2026. The deadline to submit your program application is Monday, May 11, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (end of day). We strongly recommend submitting your application before the final day to avoid any last-minute issues. If problems occur after office hours, staff may not be available to help, and exceptions to the deadline will not be made.
The next admission cycle is for the Fall 2027 semester. The application is expected to open in early March 2027, with an anticipated deadline in mid-May 2027.
This program is designated as high demand and follows WCC’s Competitive Admission Process for determining admissions. Applicants are required to meet all admission requirements and are ranked based on a point system. The best qualified applicants are selected for admission.
Each year, approximately 20 students are admitted to the program for a Fall semester start. In addition, approximately 10 alternate candidates are selected in case any seats become available before the program begins. This is a full-time program, and part-time enrollment is not available.
Application Extension Process
If there are not enough applicants to fill all accepted and alternate seats by the initial application deadline, the application may be reopened until all seats are filled. If this occurs, WCC’s Application Extension Process will be implemented. More details can be found under point 8 of the Point Scales for Competitive Admission Programs.
Students who are not eligible to apply by the initial deadline—but expect to meet all admission requirements by the end of Spring/Summer 2026—are encouraged to check WCC’s website two days after the initial deadline to see if the application has been reopened.
Do not submit an incomplete application by the initial deadline. Incomplete applications will only be accepted if the application is officially reopened, beginning Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Any incomplete applications submitted by the initial deadline may be closed and will not be considered under the extension process.
Required Checklist
All required checklist items below must be successfully completed and verifiable before you are eligible to apply to the program.
1. Program Prerequisite Courses
- MTH 125 (Everyday College Math), MTH 125X (Everyday College Math), MTH 160 (Basic Statistics), MTH 160X (Basic Statistics), MTH 168 (Intermediate Algebra with Foundations), MTH 169 (Intermediate Algebra), MTH 176 (College Algebra), or a math course numbered 176 or higher with a minimum grade of
C/2.0.
- Completion of MTH 125X or MTH 160X does not raise the student’s Academic Math Level to 3, which is required for at least one course or course prerequisite in this program.
- Completion of MTH 168 and MTH 169 will not fulfill the MTA Mathematics requirement. Students planning to transfer should take MTA-approved math courses. Financial aid will not cover any additional math course if a student enters the program with MTH 168 or MTH 169 but still needs an MTA math course.
- HSC 101 (Healthcare Terminology) or HSC 124 (Medical Terminology) with a minimum grade of B-/2.7.
- BIO 111 (Anatomy and Physiology-Normal Structure and Function) with a minimum grade of B-/2.7.
- Students may combine courses and labs from transferring schools to fulfill the BIO 111 requirement. If coursework is taken at more than one school, a course substitution request must be submitted and approved by the department.
2. Verification of High School Diploma or GED (Required Prior to Clinical Courses)
Students must provide documentation verifying one of the following:
- High School Graduate: Submit a copy of your high school diploma or transcript that includes your graduation date.
- GED Recipient: Submit a copy of your GED certificate.
- Currently Enrolled Middle College, High School, or GED Students: Submit proof of current enrollment. Students enrolled in a Middle College program
must submit a completed Middle College Status Verification Form, which must be filled out by their advisor.
- Upon graduation or program completion, students must submit final documentation directly to the Surgical Technology Program Director. If final verification is not received before the start of Semester 4 (clinical courses), the student will be ineligible to continue in the program and will be dismissed by the department.
Please note:
- Completion of college courses and/or a college degree does not satisfy this requirement.
- If your high school is located outside the United States, documentation must be provided in English. If a translation is necessary, it must be completed by a professional translation company.
3. Age Requirement
Students must be 18 years old prior to September 1st of the second Fall semester in the program (prior to beginning clinicals in semester 4). Submit a copy of your Driver’s License, State ID Card, Passport, or Birth Certificate.
4. Residency Verification
Students must verify their residency status to determine points under our competitive admission process. Submit a copy of the front and back of your Driver’s License, State ID Card, or three (3) documents. For a list of approved documents for verifying residency, visit WCC’s website. The address on your documents must match the “basic” address we have on file. Your residency status may be updated based on the documentation you provide.
To update your contact information, log in to your MyWCC account. For residency status or name changes, contact the Student Welcome Center.
5. Review Important Information
You must confirm that you reviewed this information in order to access and submit your program application.
- Technical Standards for Health Science Programs at Washtenaw Community College (WCC): Surgical Technology
(APST)
- WCC reserves the right to request, before or during the program, that students successfully demonstrate the specific physical and cognitive abilities related to the program.
- Technical Standards Process for Requesting Accommodations
- Degree requirements, including continuing eligibility requirements.
- Department website for additional details and resources.
Optional Checklist
The following items are not required, but if applicable, may enhance your competitiveness. Successfully meeting these items by the application deadline could earn you additional points towards your application.
1. Military or Veteran Status
Veterans or students currently serving in the military. Submit appropriate documentation to verify your status if currently serving or submit Form DD-214 if you are a veteran.
2. Alternate Candidate Status
Students who previously applied and were given alternate candidate status, but were not accepted during the same admission cycle, will receive additional points. No documentation is needed—this information is already on file.
- Points are only awarded to students granted alternate status through WCC’s Competitive Admission Process, not the previous Waitlist Process.
Additional Information
- All Surgical Technology (SUR) courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C+/2.3 and all support courses required for the program must be completed with a minimum grade of C/2.0, unless otherwise specified.
- Students must have reliable transportation to clinical education sites, which may require a commute of more than 60 miles.
- Students who are dismissed from the program may not be eligible to reapply to the program.
Entrance Requirements (After Admission & Before Program Start)
Upon admission, the following entrance requirements must be successfully completed in order to begin the program. Failure to meet or comply with these requirements will result in forfeiting your status in the program. Detailed instructions and deadlines will be provided to students who are offered acceptance or alternate status after admission decisions are released.
1. Mandatory Orientation
Attendance at the mandatory program orientation session. Details will be included in the program acceptance and alternate candidate notification emails.
2. Health Records, Drug Screen, and Criminal Background Check
Students are required to submit health records, undergo drug screening, and complete a full background check paid to an outside vendor selected by the College.
- Students who fail the drug screen (for drugs prohibited by State of Michigan or Federal Law, including marijuana or controlled substances) will not be eligible to begin the program and will forfeit their status.
- Our clinical partners may require proof of immunity to many transmissible diseases, including MMR, Varicella, Hep B, TB, Influenza, COVID-19, and others for clinical experiences with our agency partners.
3. Course Registration
Accepted students are required to register and remain registered in all first-semester courses by the specified deadline, unless they have successfully completed applicable support courses prior to starting the program. Detailed registration instructions will be provided by the department. First-semester courses include:
- BIO 237 (Microbiology)
- Students are encouraged to register for BIO 237 as early as possible due to limited seat availability, unless they have already completed the course. Be sure to select a section that does not conflict with SUR 101. While the exact class times for SUR 101 will be provided later, the lecture is always held on Monday mornings, and the lab takes place on Friday mornings through early afternoon.
- COM 101 (Fundamentals of Speaking) or COM 102 (Interpersonal Communication)
- ENG 111 (Composition I)
- SUR 101 (Introduction to Sterile Processing) - including lecture & lab
- Do not register for SUR 101 until after orientation. Students will be given registration permission and provided with the appropriate lab section.
4. Failure to Meet Requirements
Students who fail to meet or comply with any of the above requirements will not be eligible to begin the program and will forfeit their status.