Program begins
January 2026, 12-month program
Apply between
April 1 and July 15, 2025
Program location
Onsite, in person
Page Content
Overview

The 12-month Surgical First Assistant Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, offers the best-accredited certificate training program in the Midwest.

You will gain an advanced understanding of human anatomy while refining your surgical skills.

Not sure where to start?

Every journey into healthcare starts with questions. Whether you're exploring new possibilities or actively preparing to apply, this short guide can help you figure out what matters most and where to begin.

What would you like to learn about? (Select one or more options)...
Have you already completed a degree?
Which part are you most interested in?
Are you looking for full-time or part-time study?
How are you planning to fund your studies?
What kind of outcomes are you most interested in?
How would you prefer to get in touch?
    Student stories

    Everyone starts somewhere. Here’s why they chose this path

    Making a career change in healthcare takes courage and clarity. For many of our students, this program marked a new beginning. Some came from clinical roles, others from completely different fields. Some had taken time out to raise a family or were looking to reconnect with a sense of purpose. Each of them chose this path to build a meaningful future and to help others along the way.

    Personalised Item One: Everyone starts somewhere. Here’s why they chose this path

    Making a career change in healthcare takes courage and clarity. For many of our students, this program marked a new beginning. Some came from clinical roles, others from completely different fields. Some had taken time out to raise a family or were looking to reconnect with a sense of purpose. Each of them chose this path to build a meaningful future and to help others along the way.

    Personalised Item Two: Everyone starts somewhere. Here’s why they chose this path

    Making a career change in healthcare takes courage and clarity. For many of our students, this program marked a new beginning. Some came from clinical roles, others from completely different fields. Some had taken time out to raise a family or were looking to reconnect with a sense of purpose. Each of them chose this path to build a meaningful future and to help others along the way.

    Personalised Item Three: Everyone starts somewhere. Here’s why they chose this path

    Making a career change in healthcare takes courage and clarity. For many of our students, this program marked a new beginning. Some came from clinical roles, others from completely different fields. Some had taken time out to raise a family or were looking to reconnect with a sense of purpose. Each of them chose this path to build a meaningful future and to help others along the way.

    Personalised Item Four: Everyone starts somewhere. Here’s why they chose this path

    Making a career change in healthcare takes courage and clarity. For many of our students, this program marked a new beginning. Some came from clinical roles, others from completely different fields. Some had taken time out to raise a family or were looking to reconnect with a sense of purpose. Each of them chose this path to build a meaningful future and to help others along the way.

    Personalised Item Five: Everyone starts somewhere. Here’s why they chose this path

    Making a career change in healthcare takes courage and clarity. For many of our students, this program marked a new beginning. Some came from clinical roles, others from completely different fields. Some had taken time out to raise a family or were looking to reconnect with a sense of purpose. Each of them chose this path to build a meaningful future and to help others along the way.

    Personalised Item Six: Everyone starts somewhere. Here’s why they chose this path

    Making a career change in healthcare takes courage and clarity. For many of our students, this program marked a new beginning. Some came from clinical roles, others from completely different fields. Some had taken time out to raise a family or were looking to reconnect with a sense of purpose. Each of them chose this path to build a meaningful future and to help others along the way.

    Gallery Inside the program

    Get ready to learn by doing

    This isn’t a program built on lectures and slides. From your very first weeks, you’ll be in lab environments that simulate real procedures. You’ll train with experienced professionals, then put your skills to work in the OR. This is a program for people who learn best by stepping up and getting involved.

    Personalised Item One: Get ready to learn by doing

    This isn’t a program built on lectures and slides. From your very first weeks, you’ll be in lab environments that simulate real procedures. You’ll train with experienced professionals, then put your skills to work in the OR. This is a program for people who learn best by stepping up and getting involved.

    Personalised Item Two: Get ready to learn by doing

    This isn’t a program built on lectures and slides. From your very first weeks, you’ll be in lab environments that simulate real procedures. You’ll train with experienced professionals, then put your skills to work in the OR. This is a program for people who learn best by stepping up and getting involved.

    Personalised Item Three: Get ready to learn by doing

    This isn’t a program built on lectures and slides. From your very first weeks, you’ll be in lab environments that simulate real procedures. You’ll train with experienced professionals, then put your skills to work in the OR. This is a program for people who learn best by stepping up and getting involved.

    Personalised Item Four: Get ready to learn by doing

    This isn’t a program built on lectures and slides. From your very first weeks, you’ll be in lab environments that simulate real procedures. You’ll train with experienced professionals, then put your skills to work in the OR. This is a program for people who learn best by stepping up and getting involved.

    Personalised Item Five: Get ready to learn by doing

    This isn’t a program built on lectures and slides. From your very first weeks, you’ll be in lab environments that simulate real procedures. You’ll train with experienced professionals, then put your skills to work in the OR. This is a program for people who learn best by stepping up and getting involved.

    Personalised Item Six: Get ready to learn by doing

    This isn’t a program built on lectures and slides. From your very first weeks, you’ll be in lab environments that simulate real procedures. You’ll train with experienced professionals, then put your skills to work in the OR. This is a program for people who learn best by stepping up and getting involved.

    1150+

    Hours of clinical experience

    94%

    Job placement rate

    240+

    Surgical cases completed
    Faculty Stories

    Who Who you’ll learn from

    Our faculty aren’t just experts. They’re mentors. Each one brings a different perspective from the operating room and a shared commitment to helping students grow. They challenge, support, and prepare you for the moments that matter most.

    View all faculty
    Who you’ll learn from

    Skills that turn training into expertise

    This 12 month program builds the skills and confidence you need to assist in surgery. With expert faculty, immersive training, and access to world class facilities, you’ll be ready to step into the OR and make a difference from day one.

    Personalised Item One: Skills that turn training into expertise

    This 12 month program builds the skills and confidence you need to assist in surgery. With expert faculty, immersive training, and access to world class facilities, you’ll be ready to step into the OR and make a difference from day one.

    Personalised Item Two: Skills that turn training into expertise

    This 12 month program builds the skills and confidence you need to assist in surgery. With expert faculty, immersive training, and access to world class facilities, you’ll be ready to step into the OR and make a difference from day one.

    Personalised Item Three: Skills that turn training into expertise

    This 12 month program builds the skills and confidence you need to assist in surgery. With expert faculty, immersive training, and access to world class facilities, you’ll be ready to step into the OR and make a difference from day one.

    Personalised Item Four: Skills that turn training into expertise

    This 12 month program builds the skills and confidence you need to assist in surgery. With expert faculty, immersive training, and access to world class facilities, you’ll be ready to step into the OR and make a difference from day one.

    Personalised Item Five: Skills that turn training into expertise

    This 12 month program builds the skills and confidence you need to assist in surgery. With expert faculty, immersive training, and access to world class facilities, you’ll be ready to step into the OR and make a difference from day one.

    Personalised Item Six: Skills that turn training into expertise

    This 12 month program builds the skills and confidence you need to assist in surgery. With expert faculty, immersive training, and access to world class facilities, you’ll be ready to step into the OR and make a difference from day one.

    Where you’ll train

    test

    Where you’ll train

    You spend time in the Mayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Simulation Centers and human anatomy lab, as well as clinical time in the surgical suites of Mayo Clinic Hospital — Rochester and the same-day surgical suites in the Gonda Building.

    Personalised Item One: Where you’ll train

    You spend time in the Mayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Simulation Centers and human anatomy lab, as well as clinical time in the surgical suites of Mayo Clinic Hospital — Rochester and the same-day surgical suites in the Gonda Building.

    Personalised Item Two: Where you’ll train

    You spend time in the Mayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Simulation Centers and human anatomy lab, as well as clinical time in the surgical suites of Mayo Clinic Hospital — Rochester and the same-day surgical suites in the Gonda Building.

    Personalised Item Three: Where you’ll train

    You spend time in the Mayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Simulation Centers and human anatomy lab, as well as clinical time in the surgical suites of Mayo Clinic Hospital — Rochester and the same-day surgical suites in the Gonda Building.

    Personalised Item Four: Where you’ll train

    You spend time in the Mayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Simulation Centers and human anatomy lab, as well as clinical time in the surgical suites of Mayo Clinic Hospital — Rochester and the same-day surgical suites in the Gonda Building.

    Personalised Item Five: Where you’ll train

    You spend time in the Mayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Simulation Centers and human anatomy lab, as well as clinical time in the surgical suites of Mayo Clinic Hospital — Rochester and the same-day surgical suites in the Gonda Building.

    Personalised Item Six: Where you’ll train

    You spend time in the Mayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Simulation Centers and human anatomy lab, as well as clinical time in the surgical suites of Mayo Clinic Hospital — Rochester and the same-day surgical suites in the Gonda Building.

    Learn more about our facilties
    Mayo College

    What’s it like learning at Mayo Clinic College?

    Hands on and deeply supportive. Students join a close knit community rooted in teamwork, clinical excellence, and purpose-driven learning.

    Personalised Item One: What’s it like learning at Mayo Clinic College?

    Hands on and deeply supportive. Students join a close knit community rooted in teamwork, clinical excellence, and purpose-driven learning.

    Personalised Item Two: What’s it like learning at Mayo Clinic College?

    Hands on and deeply supportive. Students join a close knit community rooted in teamwork, clinical excellence, and purpose-driven learning.

    Personalised Item Three: What’s it like learning at Mayo Clinic College?

    Hands on and deeply supportive. Students join a close knit community rooted in teamwork, clinical excellence, and purpose-driven learning.

    Personalised Item Four: What’s it like learning at Mayo Clinic College?

    Hands on and deeply supportive. Students join a close knit community rooted in teamwork, clinical excellence, and purpose-driven learning.

    Personalised Item Five: What’s it like learning at Mayo Clinic College?

    Hands on and deeply supportive. Students join a close knit community rooted in teamwork, clinical excellence, and purpose-driven learning.

    Personalised Item Six: What’s it like learning at Mayo Clinic College?

    Hands on and deeply supportive. Students join a close knit community rooted in teamwork, clinical excellence, and purpose-driven learning.

    Learn more

    Ready to dig into the details?

    Start your application

    Applications are open until July 15. We’ll walk you through it, step by step.

    See what you’ll learn

    Explore the curriculum and understand how each part builds your skills.

    Get to know the program

    Understand what this certificate offers, who it’s for, and what makes it different.

    Tuition, costs, and support

    See the full cost breakdown and what kinds of aid may be available to you.

    Careers

    Discover the roles you can step into and where graduates are working now.

    Meet your instructors

    Learn who they are, how they teach, and what they bring to the program.

    Meet your instructors
    How to apply

    How to apply in 3 easy steps

    There’s no complicated portal or long essay. Just a few clear steps to get started, with support available at every stage.

    1. Submit your application

      There’s no complicated portal or long essay. Just a few clear steps to get started, with support available at every stage.

    2. Send your supporting documents

      There’s no complicated portal or long essay. Just a few clear steps to get started, with support available at every stage.

    3. Hear back from us

      There’s no complicated portal or long essay. Just a few clear steps to get started, with support available at every stage.

    What to expect when you apply

    FAQs

    Questions we hear most often

    Personalised Item One: Questions we hear most often

    Personalised Item Two: Questions we hear most often

    Personalised Item Three: Questions we hear most often

    Personalised Item Four: Questions we hear most often

    Personalised Item Five: Questions we hear most often

    Personalised Item Six: Questions we hear most often

    Can I apply if I’ve been out of school for a while?

    Yes. Many applicants return to study after time away from education or clinical work. What matters most is your preparation and readiness for the program’s pace.

    Do I need to know what kind of surgery I want to assist in?

    No. The program gives you exposure to multiple surgical specialties. You’ll discover your strengths as you train.

    Will I be working with real patients?

    Yes. After initial simulation training, you’ll assist in real procedures under supervision during your clinical rotations.

    What happens after I finish the program?

    Graduates are prepared to sit for national certification exams and often secure jobs before completing the program. Many stay within Mayo, while others go on to roles across the country.

    Personalised Item One: Will I be working with real patients?

    Yes. After initial simulation training, you’ll assist in real procedures under supervision during your clinical rotations.

    Personalised Item Two: What happens after I finish the program?

    Graduates are prepared to sit for national certification exams and often secure jobs before completing the program. Many stay within Mayo, while others go on to roles across the country.

    Personalised Item Three: Will I be working with real patients?

    Yes. After initial simulation training, you’ll assist in real procedures under supervision during your clinical rotations.

    Personalised Item Four: What happens after I finish the program?

    Graduates are prepared to sit for national certification exams and often secure jobs before completing the program. Many stay within Mayo, while others go on to roles across the country.

    Personalised Item Five: What happens after I finish the program?

    Graduates are prepared to sit for national certification exams and often secure jobs before completing the program. Many stay within Mayo, while others go on to roles across the country.

    Personalised Item Six: What happens after I finish the program?

    Graduates are prepared to sit for national certification exams and often secure jobs before completing the program. Many stay within Mayo, while others go on to roles across the country.

    Ready to start your next chapter in surgery?

    Admissions

    Talk to admissions

    By submitting this form, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (MCCMS) may send you text messages and emails about recruiting events, admissions and program-related information. Message frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply. To opt out of text and or emails, contact mccms@mayo.edu.

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