Associates vs Diploma vs Certification

What’s the difference between an Associates degree, diploma and a certification?

The infamous question! Let's break it down as simple as I can.

Choosing between an associates and diploma is basically deciding what type of school you want to attend and how long you’ll be in school. It’s just the education portion of your new career goals. 

Associates 

• 2 years

• Pre-req classes (english, math, etc)

• Slower paced 

Diploma

• About 15 months (this was the length of mine but it can vary signifigantly)

• Only taking classes that pertain to Surgical Technology

• Fast paced; multiple test in a week

Whether you receive your degree or diploma, you will still need to sit for the certification exam. Our job title is “CERTIFIED Surgical Technologist”. So after you attend and complete an ACCREDITED school/program, you must sit for the exam, and pass, to become certified. Most facilities will not hire you without a certification, no matter what school you went to. There are some places out there that may, but just know you’d be cutting your options by a lot.

From my personal experience, a diploma program is cheaper than an associates. I went the diploma route, qualified for 100% PELL Grant and never paid a penny out of pocket for school. Most people that I know that went the degree route, had to take out student loans.

Another thing to keep in mind is private versus public institutions. I know in some cities it’s hard to find multiple options for schools, but private institutions typically have a 5 figure price tag. Public institutions are historically cheaper.

Per NBSTSA.org “Program must have been CAAHEP or ABHES accredited during your enrollment.” You can access both accrediting agency sites and search the school in which you may want to attend.

DISCLAIMER: I graduated from school in 2019, at that point, both options of diploma and degree route were options. As time goes by, it is become enforced for institutions to only offer Associates degrees in surgical technology. This DOES NOT mean if you received a diploma that you will have to go back to school. This mean if you are currently looking to attend a school, there are becoming less options for the diploma route. Make sure to do THOROUGH RESEARCH!

-Tatyana L., CST, CCS