Temple College has announced plans to begin offering an associate degree in surgical technology.

The college currently offers a one-year certificate program in surgical technology, but several accrediting boards and professional organizations have mandated that all surgical technologists have associate degrees as of 2021.

Temple College is getting ahead of the curve and offering the degree as of fall 2016. The certificate program will continue to be offered through spring 2021.

Sheila Spence, director of the Surgical Technology program, said anyone who has already earned a certificate in surgical technology from Temple College will be invited to come back and take the classes that will be required for the associate’s degree.

For more information on the new program, visit http://templejc.edu/programs/health-professions/surgical-technology/ or contact Spence at sheila.spence@templejc.edu.