Surgical Technology Admissions Guide

Program Duration and Study Mode

• Program days and times may vary but you should plan to attend classes 4-5 days a week.  Day classes are generally between 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Evening classes are generally between 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (if scheduled)
• Clinical rotation days vary per semester, with hours between 6:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  Please plan accordingly to ensure you have proper transportation.

On average, approximately 50 students apply for admission each application period. Of these, approximately 20 applicants are typically accepted.

Apply to HCC:

• If you are new to Houston Community College (HCC) or transferring to HCC, your first step is to become an HCC Eagle by submitting a free admissions application to HCC. Please create a profile and complete the application to obtain an HCC student ID: goapplytexas.org. You will receive a welcome email response from HCC within 48 hours. Be sure to save your HCCID-Number or P-Number/D-Number (if you are assigned one).  If you have filled out an HCC application at any point or you already have an HCC student ID number, please do not submit another HCC application.  Multiple HCC new student applications and/or ID numbers are not allowed.
• If you have not been enrolled for the past 3 semesters and are returning to HCC will need to reactivate your HCC student account: Returning Student Readmission | Houston Community College (HCC)

My Eagle HCC account checklist:

• Please visit: myeagle.hccs.edu, review, and take action on the HCC Policy Checklist and On-Boarding Checklist. Your To-do List may have four types of checklist items in your Student Center, including Meningitis Vaccine and Texas Success Initiative requirements:
• Meningitis Vaccine – Required for all college students under the age of For more information on requirements, resources & any religious, medical, or online students' exemptions, please visit: Meningitis
• Texas Success Initiative requirements – If you have the "Texas Success Initiative College Readiness Requirements" Checklist on your pre-enrollment To-do List in the Student Center, you have to be placed into core courses in one of two ways.
• Have an approved exemption (reason) for not taking the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 0 (TSIA2). Please visit: Texas Success Initiative Assessment/ Exemption for more information. OR
• Take the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 0 (TSIA2). Please visit: Texas Success Initiative Assessment for more information.

 Meet with an HCC Coleman College Advisor:

• Applicants must meet with an HCC Coleman College advisor at least once during the application acceptance period to ensure meeting all program application criteria. The advisor can use unofficial transcript(s) for initial advisement, and the meeting can be virtual or in person at a recruitment or program information event or on-campus visit.  Applicants should refer to the Virtual Lobby webpage to learn about the most up-to-date links and service hours for advising: hccs.edu/virtual-lobby After the visit, the advisor will provide verification, which the applicant must upload to their program application. This verification can be a PS advisee visit note, email, or any other correspondence from HCC Coleman to the applicant.

Program Information Session:

• Attending a Program Information Session is optional. Please register and schedule an online program information session. You will be contacted by the program prior to the date and time of your registered session. If you have questions regarding the online delivery of program information sessions, please contact the program at 713-718-8070 or via email: healthscience.info@hccs.edu.

Program Application:

• In addition to the HCC admission application, you must complete and submit a typed Surgical Technology program application via email to co.srgtadmit@hccs.edu.  Please send all of the application requirements listed below in one email by the submission deadline and label each attachment with the file name:
  • • A copy of all transcript/s showing completion of the prerequisite/academic courses.
    • Hepatitis B series showing series completed with a quantitative positive titer.
    • HESI assessment results and other applicable supporting documents by the application submission deadline. (Please send all of the application documents in one email and label each attachment with the file name.)
    • For more information about prerequisite/academic courses and the HESI-A2 Entrance Exam, please refer to the sections: Program Application: Academic Course Requirements & Program Application: HESI Entrance Exam Requirements.
• International Students: If you are an international student planning to attend HCC on a status F-1, (DACA, refugee, L visa, H visa), please visit the International Students page.
• Veteran students: Please visit Veteran & Military-Affiliated Student Success (VMASS) to download and complete the DDForm 214 & SF-180 Form and submit it with the application.

Cumulative GPA:  2.3 or above

Prerequisite Courses

HPRS 1201 Introduction to Health Professions with a minimum grade of ‘B’ or better and the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C” upon application submission. 

Academic courses:

Academic courses are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to be taken in advance, but are not required for the application. These courses will go towards the completion of the program/degree plan and will give you additional points on your application score. 

Placement Test

All new students enrolling in a Texas Public Institution of Higher Education must take the TSIA2 to determine college readiness unless they qualify for an exemption. Visit TSIA Exemptions for a list of exemptions. If your TSIA scores or transcript do not indicate college-level proficiency in reading, writing, and math, you are required to complete INRW 0420 and one of the specified MATH courses with a minimum grade of 'C' or higher.

• INRW 0420 - Integrated Reading and Writing
• MATH 0432P - Basic Mathematics & Contemporary Mathematics
  OR MATH 0424P - Basic Mathematics & Introduction to Business Mathematics
  OR MATH 0442P - Basic Mathematics & Introduction to Statistics

If you would like to determine your eligibility by calculating your cumulative points earned, please use our Admission Rubric form.  

The HESI A2- Admissions Assessment entrance exam is required to apply for the Surgical Technology program at HCC Coleman College. Please note: If the applicant has already taken ATI/TEAS, this exam may be used in lieu of HESI. 

Schedule HESI-A2 test: Please contact HCC Coleman College Testing Center via email: coleman.testing@hccs.edu. The cost of the HESI is $75.00 per attempt. Payment must be made by either credit or debit card.  

Required HESI-A2 sections: Applicants must score 70% or higher on each of the following subject areas listed below.  There is no minimum score required for the Critical Thinking section, but the section must be completed.  Application rubric points are awarded based on the range of scores for each section. 

• Anatomy & Physiology
• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Math
• Reading
• Critical Thinking section 

Scores are valid between June 2, 2022, and June 2, 2025. 

HESI-A2 exam results for all required sections must be downloaded in .pdf format from the Elsevier/ Evolve account and submitted with a completed program application by the application deadline. (Regardless taken at HCC or outside of HCC). 

Students are allowed to submit up to two HESI-A2 transcripts to Houston Community College for the purpose of scoring for the Surgical Technology program. It is recommended to wait at least 30 days before retesting. 

Please note: HESI Remediation through Elsevier is FREE. 

Resources for HESI study materials:

The Center for Healthcare Professionals is offering the following courses listed below (hccs.edu/chp):

• Online - HESI® A2 and TEAS® Preparatory course: Anatomy and Physiology.
• Online - Critical Thinking for Standardized Tests
• Online - Study Skills for Student Success  
• Online - Successful Test Taking

For additional information about any of these programs, please contact via email at hcc- chp@hccs.edu or via phone at 713.718.7796  - HCC Library: https://0-portal-mometrixelibrary-com.librus.hccs.edu/?__acct=171 search with the keyword ‘HESI’ to access available resources.

To find the latest HCC library hours, please visit Home - Locations - Libraries at Houston Community College (hccs.edu)

Please refer to the following links for information on HESI study materials:

• evolve.elsevier.com
• nursehub.com
• quizlet.com
• iprep.online

HOW TO ACCESS YOUR ATI/TEAS EXAM SCORE:

If the applicant is submitting ATI/TEAS exam results, please submit individual score results in a PDF format for each subject taken in the exam. To view your individual score:

1. STEP 1 – ACCESS “MY RESULTS” To access your results, log in to www.atitesting.com with your 6 username and password. From the home page, select the My Results tab to access your full transcript.
2. STEP 2 – SELECT THE TEAS ASSESSMENT Next, under the Proctored Assessments section, find the exam for which you want the results. Click on the assessment’s name to view the Individual Performance Profile page.
3. STEP 3 – SELECT “DOWNLOAD REPORT” From the Individual Performance Profile page, select the button labeled “Download Report.” This will allow you to download a PDF document that you may upload with your application. 

HOW TO ACCESS YOUR HESI EXAM SCORES, INCLUDING CRITICAL THINKING SCORES:

• Go to evolve.elsevier.com
• Click on Sign in and log in to your account
• Go to the My Other Products tab and click Student Access 

HESI Exam Scores:

• Click on Admission Assessment Report under Exam History to save the report in PDF. 

HESI Critical Thinking Scores:

• Click on the plus sign (+) next to Admissions Assessment Report.
• Critical Thinking will appear in the drop-down list. Click on the link View Results.
• Click on Results Report.pdf under View Your Detailed Scoring Report on the right (Save this document as a PDF) 

HESI Exam Scores:

1. Go to  evolve.elsevier.com
2. Click on Sign in and log in to your account.
3. Go to the My Other Products tab and click Student Access
4. Click on Admission Assessment Report under Exam History to save the report in PDF.

Critical Thinking Scores:

1. Go to evolve.elsevier.com
2. Click on Sign in and log in to your account
3. Go to the My Other Products tab and click Student Access
4. Click on the plus sign (+) next to Admissions Assessment Report.
5. Critical Thinking will appear in the drop-down list. Click on the link View Results.
6. Click on Results Report.pdf under View Your Detailed Scoring Report on the right (Save this document as a PDF) 

When the number of eligible applications exceeds program seat availability, selective criteria are used to determine which applicants are offered admission. Selective criteria are awarded based on the following:

• 45% awarded based on the SRGT General Education Courses GPA
• 30 % HESI 
• 25% awarded based on the interview process. 
• All application requirements must be satisfied by the closing of the application window.

If you are offered admission you will need to complete the following pre-enrollment requirements by a specific due date to maintain eligible status. Please note the Program Director will be in contact with you once your Letter of Intent has been received to provide you the information on the process of getting a background check, drug screen, personal health insurance, and deadlines for immunizations. Please check your email regularly for updates and information. 

• Complete the letter of Intent form by the deadline stated in the Admission Acceptance Offer email that will be sent to your submitted email address with the program application. 
•  Proof of personal health insurance; if you need to purchase health insurance, please visit: https://www.hccs.edu/resources- for/current-students/student-health-insurance/ for a list of health care insurance providers that HCC has compiled as a courtesy to students who wish to contact a potential provider to meet their personal health insurance needs. Students are advised to contact more than one company and compare offerings. Completed by August 1
• Cleared Background Check, Passing Drug Screen & Physical Examination must be completed by August 1
• Immunization record showing: (Monitored By Complio: http://houstoncccompliance.com/)Completion of Hepatitis B immunization series with a quantitative positive titer (may take up to 6 months), MMR – 2 shots or titer within last year, Tdap – every 10 years, TB – every year, Varicella – 2 shots or titer, Meningitis (required for students 22 years or younger) and Influenza – completed by August 1
• Complete the mandatory Program Orientation on the date provided in your admission email. (Please clear your calendar so you are available to attend the mandatory orientations if you are offered admission as follows: Fall Term – plan to attend Orientation in July.)
• Clinical site requirements for additional testing or additional vaccinations.

Clinical Requirements for Program Progression & Completion

To provide students with the most robust clinical educational experience and to ensure that students progress and graduate as scheduled, it is highly recommended that applicants weigh all of their options before agreeing to a conditional acceptance into their desired health science program. In order to facilitate this decision-making, students should understand all of the requirements of their program, including clinical education.

To be placed in a clinical educational experience, students must comply with the guidelines and requirements of HCC clinical sites, including health and wellness directives. Most clinical sites require background checks, health testing, drug screens, and immunizations, including proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Students are required to provide to HCC proof that students meet all clinical requirements, with the exception of their COVID-19 vaccination status. Consistent with state law, HCC does not mandate the COVID-19 vaccination. Students have the choice to voluntarily disclose or not disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status through their HCC Complio account.

However, most healthcare facilities do require the vaccine as a condition of employment, volunteering, or student clinical placement. If a student chooses not to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status or is not vaccinated, HCC may not be able to place the student in clinical rotations. HCC will work to place such students into a clinical site that does not require the vaccine, provided such a site is available and HCC has an active affiliation agreement in place that meets the necessary conditions to provide an appropriate learning opportunity for the student. However, HCC cannot guarantee that clinical sites that do not require the

COVID vaccine will be available at the time the student requires placement. At this time, many healthcare facilities are not accepting religious or medical exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccine for clinical students.

If a student chooses not to receive or to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and no clinical sites are available to accept the student that do not require the COVID-19 vaccination, the student’s progression in the program and graduation will be delayed or stopped all together. If a student cannot be timely placed in a qualifying clinical site, a student may not be able to complete the program. Our affiliate partners’ expectations are the same for our students as they would be when our students ultimately become employees in their chosen field.

Students with questions about clinical requirements and placement may contact the program director of their program of interest.

HB 1508 requires the following information be given to students:

If you are applying for admission to a program that prepares an individual for an initial occupational license or certification and/or if you later decide to change to a program that prepares you for an initial occupational license or certification, in accordance with state law, please be advised of the following:

1. An individual who has been charged or convicted of an offense or who is on probation may not be eligible for issuance of an occupational license or certification upon completion of the educational program.
2. It is the responsibility of the individual to immediately report to the program any change in status that would affect that individual’s eligibility to apply for a license or certification.
3. Local, state or national licensing and certification authorities may issue additional guidelines related to criminal Applicants should contact their respective licensing or certification authority for more details.

Most healthcare programs require all students - admitted to the program - to submit to a national background check which may include fingerprinting. Applicants are encouraged to review all applicable eligibility requirements related to the respective occupational license or certification. Questions related to eligibility requirements should be directed to the individual program and applicable licensing or certification authority.

The Surgical Technology Program requires participation in clinical rotations in order to complete the program. In order to participate in clinical rotations at our affiliate sites, certain background information must be verified. Students participating in clinical rotations must meet the same background verifications as clinical staff at our affiliate sites. For that reason, we require students to submit the following required background information before admission/enrollment in the program is completed.

1.  Social Security Number Verification
2. Criminal Search (7 yrs. or up to 5 criminal searches)
3. Violent Sexual Offender and Predator Registry Search
4. OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities
5. GSA List of Parties Excluded from Federal Programs
6. US Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), List of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)
7. State Exclusive List Office of Inspector General
8. Driver’s license or government-issued identification

Please note. Verification of this information is the financial responsibility of the student and must be completed through the program-approved vendor, Complio.

HCC Coleman College Grading Scale. To best prepare students for success in their chosen fields, Health Sciences Programs have high standards for progression. Unlike other HCC programs, the Surgical Technology program requires a C (75%) or better to progress to the next course or semester in the program. For specific questions about grades, grading, and progression within Health Science programs, please contact Coleman College at co.surgicaltechnology@hccs.edu.

Surgical Technology Program Grading Scale

A = 100 – 90 %

B = 89 – 80 %

C = 79 – 75 %*

D = 74 – 60 %

F = 59 – 0 %

*A grade of C (75%) or better must be achieved to progress to the next course or semester. 

Tuition is estimated using the Texas resident rates. Out-of-district and out-of-state residents will have higher tuition fees. Please visit tuition-calculator for more information.

Tuition is for core coursework only. General Education and Support courses are not included. These are high estimates; actual costs will vary depending on health insurance coverage.  

Due to increases/decreases in books and supplements, please check the bookstore website for updated cost information. Only required books are included in the estimate. 

SRGT Program Cost Breakdown (In-District)

Pre-entry Fees

1st Semester (8 Semester Hours)

2nd Semester (5 Semester Hours)

3rd Semester (12 Semester Hours)

Total Program Cost

You can use a valid MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express card to pay for tuition and fees. You can also use debit card with Visa or MasterCard logo, but not a non-USA credit card. Online payment via check is also available.

Check or e-check payments have a 10-day hold on the release of official transcripts. International students or their parents can also pay online from their country of origin with their local currency, where applicable. Online payment from other countries can be made through the “International Fund Transfer” payment option. 

Additional Options for Payment 

• Financial Aid:  If you need assistance paying for college, please visit the Coleman Financial Aid office for assistance.
• Scholarships:  In addition to federal and state aid, scholarships are a great way to offset all or part of the cost of your education. Please visit the Financial Aid Scholarship page for more information.
• Installment Payment Plan: If you are paying out of pocket and need assistance on how to set up a payment plan, please click the link Student Financial Services. 

Psychomotor Skills

Cognitive Skills

Sensory Skills

Social-Behavioral Skills