The East Valley Institute of Technology will offer its first associate degree program – the Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology – beginning Jan. 3.
Surgical Technology is a high-demand field. As health care team members, surg techs prepare the surgical suite and the patient for surgery, pass instruments to the surgeon, and monitor the patient during the procedure to assist in ensuring the best possible patient outcome.
EVIT, a public trade school, has offered a Certificate in Surgical Technology program for adults for many years. Thanks to a change in state law, EVIT can now also offer associate degrees.
“We are pleased to be able to offer the Surgical Technology associate degree in a high-demand career field that is increasingly requiring job applicants to have a degree,” said EVIT Superintendent Dr. Chad Wilson. “In fact, we pursued legislation to allow Career Technical Education Districts (CTEDs) like EVIT to offer associate degrees because 65% of all jobs now require some postsecondary education and training beyond high school.”
EVIT offers 50 occupational training programs tuition-free for East Valley high school students and tuition-based for Phoenix-area adults at two central campuses in Mesa. Surgical Technology is an adult program offered at the EVIT Main Campus, 1601 W. Main St.
The first cohort of students will begin their general education classes on Jan. 3. The program will run five consecutive semesters with a week off between semesters and two weeks off in December. The cohort will complete the program on Aug. 22, 2025. Upon completion of their associate degree, students will be able to sit for the Certified Surgical Technologist exam.
Enrollment starts Nov. 1. Students can start the process at www.evit.com/enrollnow.
Tuition is $19,120, not including additional out-of-pocket fees such as textbooks, uniforms, and background checks. Student funding opportunities include federal student aid/financial aid, veterans education benefits, tribal funding, scholarships, and interest-free payment plans. For more information, contact [email protected].
Additional associate degree programs in nursing, paramedicine, and industrial trades management are in development.
“EVIT is evolving to better meet the needs of the communities we love and serve,” Wilson said. “The ability to offer associate degrees is a major part of that effort.”
Over 6,000 high school students and adults enrolled at EVIT for the 2023-24 year, and 94% of students and parents say they would recommend EVIT to friends and other families. For more information, visit: www.evit.com.