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Health Sciences Pharmacy Technician Associate Degree Program

Pursue career education from home.

A pharmacy technician explaining prescription drug information to a patient after completing pharmacy technician schooling

Start down a fast-growing career path and prepare for certification.1

Earn your associate degree in 18 months.1

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By clicking the Request Info button, you agree to be contacted by phone, text message, or email via automated systems by Ultimate Medical Academy about your education at the email addresses and phone numbers you provided above, including any wireless number(s). You are not obligated to agree to automated contact to enroll; instead, you may call us at 888-205-2510. Note that even non-automated calls are recorded for quality assurance.

What is a Pharmacy Technician?

Pharmacy technicians dispense prescription medications, work with pharmacy customers, and organize inventory, among other duties. Individuals in this role are under the supervision of a pharmacist, who is responsible for reviewing all medications filled before they are dispensed. This curriculum covers topics such as pharm tech computer applications, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, and more.

Health Sciences - Pharmacy Technician Associate Degree Program

Your Pharmacy Technician Education Path in 18 Months1

Includes soft skills that potential employers may be looking for, plus field-specific knowledge. This program includes 180 hours of on-site externship training to complete the program and provides preparation to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE) if you meet eligibility requirements.

Health Sciences - Pharmacy Technician Associate Degree Program

18 months1

On-Site Externship Included

180 hours of supervised training

Certification Prep

Prepare to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE), if eligible.

While graduates will be prepared to take an applicable certification examination to enhance their employment prospects, they are not required to sit for this examination.

pharmacy technician working on a computer while another looks at drugs on a shelf

Working as a Pharmacy Technician

When you enroll as a student in UMA's Health Sciences – Pharmacy Technician associate degree program, you'll be able to study on a flexible schedule, learning both the theoretical and practical skills necessary to pursue entry-level roles in the field.3 You will also become familiar with soft skills such as communicating with customers, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Employment is projected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033, faster than average for all occupations. This field is projected to have 47,400 job openings each year, on average, over that decade.1

UMA graduates in this program have found entry-level work in the following environments:

  • CheckPharmacies
  • CheckHospitals
A pharmacy technician with arms crossed smiling

Why UMA?

Choose a healthcare program at a school that supports the whole student.

Student Support

  • Check1-on-1 academic assistance
  • CheckIndividual help in the job search
  • CheckPotential resource guidance for outside the classroom
  • CheckCommitted advisors from start to finish

Online Learning

  • CheckOur UMA Online programs allow you to complete coursework from the comfort of your home.
  • CheckSelect programs feature on-site externships/practicums, providing real-world experience.
  • CheckYou'll participate in classrooms with a maximum size of 25 students.

Certification Prep

  • CheckOur programs help prepare you to sit for applicable certification exams if you meet eligibility requirements.
  • CheckOur team will help with exam-focused material and support you in areas where you might need extra help, at no additional cost.
Quotation mark

Jared C.

UMA Graduate

Jared C.

It's something I've already recommended to friends, because UMA is so supportive of everything you may need.

Program Outline

Please see the UMA Catalog for required courses in Arkansas, Kansas, and Minnesota.

Diploma

Health Sciences - Pharmacy Technician Associate Degree Program

18 month program1

61.5 Credits

Core Courses

Pharmacy Technician Fundamentals & Computer Applications

5.5 Credits

Pharmacology and Sterile Products & HIV/AIDS

5 Credits

Anatomy & Physiology and Pathophysiology I

6 Credits

Pharmaceutical Calculations and Pathophysiology II

6 Credits

Drug/Dosage Interaction and Pharmacy Law & Ethics

6 Credits

Community & Institutional Pharmacy

3 Credits

Certification Review

2 Credits

Pharmacy Technician Externship

4 Credits

General Education Courses

English Composition

3 Credits

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

3 Credits

College Math

3 Credits

General Biology

3 Credits

Sociology

3 Credits

Elective Courses (9 Credits)

Accounting for Managers

3 Credits

Introduction to Healthcare Computer Information Systems

3 Credits

Interpersonal Professional Communications

3 Credits

Local, National & International Events

3 Credits

Psychology

3 Credits

Working with People

3 Credits

Patient Relations

3 Credits

Ecology

3 Credits

Diversity in the Workplace

3 Credits

Quotation mark

Zhana R.

UMA Graduate

Zhana R.

I love caring for people. I originally wanted to be an RN, but blood didn't work out for me. But I could be in a hospital somewhere else. I didn't have to be a nurse.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, generally speaking, pharmacy technicians need only a high school diploma or its equivalent. However, many states and employers also require you to take classes and/or pass a certification exam to work in this field, in addition to passing a background check. Completing a pharmacy technician program — like the one offered at UMA — can help students stand out among those who only finished high school. Read our guide about How to Pursue Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in 5 Steps for helpful tips.

Apart from the on-site externship, the thing about online courses is that they enable you to fit your coursework into a flexible study schedule!3

The answer to this question varies, in part, based on the state/employer where you plan to work. Each state has its own pharmacy regulations, and some employers may require certification. To better understand the requirements in your state, you must check with your designated Board of Pharmacy. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy offers an online list, which may be a good place to start. If you have a specific potential employer in mind, you may want to research that employer's minimum requirements for pharmacy technicians.

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) offers a Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. Our program is designed to prepare students to sit for this exam, if they are eligible, while they pursue their associate degree. We also share the differences between a certified and uncertified pharmacy technician if you'd like to learn more.

Only you can determine which school will best fit your needs. Factors to consider include whether it can help you achieve your career goals, how much money you want to spend on a training program, whether the school will help you after graduation when you're attempting to find a job, and other factors you may be looking for. Our staff is here to answer any questions you may have when determining if UMA is a good fit for you.

When researching pharmacy technician programs, it's helpful to look at all of the “extras” these programs offer above and beyond a degree. For instance, UMA graduates have access to 24/7 tech support while taking classes, and our Career Services team works with them to brush up on resumes and interview skills so they can pursue a new role with confidence. UMA's Learner Services team also assists students with certain obstacles that might stand in the way of completing their education.

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) requires individuals to complete a PTCB-recognized training program or have an equivalent level of work experience to take the certification exam. Therefore, if you complete UMA's Health Sciences – Pharmacy Technician associate degree program, for instance, the training program takes 18 months to complete.2 Then you would need to take the exam, if eligible, the timing of which may vary depending on when the exam is next offered.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, generally speaking, pharmacy technicians need only a high school diploma or its equivalent to work in this position. However, many states also regulate this field, so completing a training program and/or passing an exam may be required as well. Employers may also require certification and/or formal training.

Ultimate Medical Academy is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES.org), a national accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Though UMA is not a university or college, we offer online diplomas and degrees as well as blended healthcare programs, some of which offer on-site externships/practicums and certification preparation — all intended to put you in a position to pursue a healthcare career after graduation.

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Browse the 2024 UMA Catalog

Take a look at the UMA Catalog for comprehensive information on programs, course descriptions, admissions, finance, and more.

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Advance Your Education

Your associate degree doesn’t need to be the end of your education. UMA maintains agreements with various educational partners where you may be able to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in select areas of study.

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Explore Financial Aid

If you qualify for financial aid, we’ll walk you through the process. Multiple resources may be available to help pay for the cost of your education. Our Student Finance advisors are committed to helping you understand your options.

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Take the Healthcare Career Quiz

Try our fun and informational Healthcare Career Quiz to better understand which UMA program might align with your goals. In just a few minutes, answer some simple personality questions and get your results instantly!