NorthWest Suburban College
Apply Now
(847) 290-6425

Launch Your Healthcare Career in Just 8 Months

Pharmacy Technician and Dental Assistant Certificates

Our accelerated certificate programs offer the perfect combination of hands-on training, flexible scheduling, and real-world experience to prepare you for immediate employment.

With monthly start dates, hybrid learning formats, and comprehensive externship opportunities, you can gain the skills employers are looking for while balancing your current commitments. Plus, our flexible payment plans, institutional aid, grants, and scholarships make these programs affordable.

Whether you’re interested in a dental assistant certificate or a pharmacy technician certificate, we provide the professional training and certification preparation you need to succeed in today’s growing healthcare industry.

Get More Information

I Want Answers!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name*
City of Residence*
Program(s) of Interest*
Would you like to schedule a tour of NWSC?
Consent*

Dental Assistant Certificate Program

Step into the dental field with comprehensive training in clinical and administrative dental care. Learn chairside assisting, radiography, laboratory procedures, and patient record management through hands-on practice and expert instruction.

Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant Program Highlights:

  • Duration: 8 Months
  • Format: Hybrid (In-Person Didactic Hours + Asynchronous Online Coursework)
  • Total Hours: 720 Hours (including a 160-hour externship)
  • Schedule: Wednesdays 9:00 AM–3:00 PM and Saturdays 8:00 AM–2:00 PM
  • Start Dates: Monthly

Core Courses

Administrative Procedures, Dental Sciences, Dental Radiography, Laboratory Procedures, Operative Dentistry, Orthodontics & Dental Health

Externship

8-week, 160-hour supervised clinical experience at a dental facility

Career Pathways

Graduates are prepared for employment in:
  • Dental offices
  • Specialty clinics (orthodontics, endodontics, etc.)
  • Hospitals
  • Community health centers

Certifications

Graduates of the Dental Assistant Program are eligible to sit for dental certification exams through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) or the American Medical Technologists (AMT) association. While certification is not required for employment as a dental assistant in Illinois, earning a certification demonstrates your ability to deliver professional care in clinical and administrative dental settings. 

Admission Requirements

  • High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
  • Completed application
  • Interview with the admissions team
Get More Information

Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program

Prepare to work alongside pharmacists in hospitals, retail pharmacies, and healthcare facilities. Master prescription processing, sterile compounding, infection control, and drug classification through classroom learning, lab practice, and extensive externship experience.

Role of Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy Technician Program Details:

  • Duration: 8 Months
  • Format: Hybrid (In-Person Didactic Hours + Asynchronous Online Coursework
  • Total Hours: 600 hours (including a 240-hour externship)
  • Schedule: Tuesday evenings and Saturdays
  • Start Dates: Monthly

Core Courses

Pharmacy History, Laws & Ethics, Pharmacy Practice Settings with Sterile & Non-Sterile Processing, Pharmacy Operations & Workflow, Pharmacology of Body Systems, Pharmacology of Body, Alternative Medicine, Dilutions & Allegations

Externship

12-Week, 240-Hour Supervised Clinical Experience at a Local Retail or Hospital Pharmacy

Career Pathways

Graduates are prepared for employment in:

  • Retail pharmacies
  • Hospitals and clinics
  • Home healthcare agencies
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Nursing homes and assisted living facilities

Certifications

Graduates of the Pharmacy Technician Program in Chicago and the surrounding area are eligible to sit for the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) exam, which is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, and the ExCPT exam, which is administered by the National Healthcareer Association. These certifications qualify graduates for licensure as Pharmacy Technicians in Illinois and prepare them for success across a range of pharmacy settings.

Admission Requirements

  • High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
  • Completed application
  • Interview with the admissions team
  • Background check
Get More Information

Healthcare Management Program

Build the leadership and business skills to manage healthcare operations, coordinate patient services, and drive quality improvement in medical and hospital environments. Master healthcare finance, compliance, workforce management, and strategic planning through focused coursework and real-world applications.

Get your advanced training without leaving your job with convenient hours on evenings and Saturdays. Ideal for medical assistants, dental assistants, pharmacy technicians, and other working professionals.

Healthcare Management Program Certificate Details:

  • Duration: 7 weeks
  • Format: Hybrid (In-Person Sessions + Online Coursework)
  • Total Hours: 600 hours (including a 240-hour externship)
  • Schedule: Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday Evenings 6 PM–9 PM, or Saturdays, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
  • Start Dates: 6 times a year

Core Courses

Leadership & Management in Healthcare, Organizational Behavior & Strategic Planning, Healthcare Informatics, Healthcare Financing & Cost Management, Healthcare Workforce Management & Team Leadership, Cultural Competency, Ethics & Compliance, Capstone Healthcare Management Project

Capstone Project

Apply integrated knowledge from all courses to develop a comprehensive healthcare management proposal addressing operational and financial challenges

Career Pathways

Graduates are prepared for employment in:

  • Hospitals and medical centers
  • Medical offices and clinics
  • Healthcare administration departments
  • Nursing homes and assisted living facilities
  • Community health organizations
  • Healthcare finance and operations roles

Certifications

Graduates of the Healthcare Management Certificate Program in Chicago and the surrounding area may pursue positions such as healthcare administrator, medical office manager, patient services coordinator, compliance specialist, healthcare finance & operations support, and hospital departmental manager.

Admission Requirements

  • High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
  • Completed application
  • Interview with the admissions team
  • Background check

Why Choose Our Certificate Programs?

Institutional aid, scholarships, grants, and flexible monthly payment plans

Hands-on training in real healthcare settings

Flexible scheduling for working adults

National certification exam preparation

Monthly certificate starts

Experienced instructors and clinical partnerships

Job-ready skills from day one

Ready To Start Your Healthcare Journey?

Apply now or schedule a visit to learn more about how Northwest Suburban College can help you achieve your career goals by starting or advancing your healthcare career.
Request Info
Schedule a Tour
Apply Now
exam

What Our Graduates Say

I’m so lucky to be a student and nurse. The staff are so friendly and joyful. I learned so much in my 32 weeks, new medical advances. This is the best in the pharmacy field, and I want to learn more.

Amelia De Los Reyes – Pharmacy Technician Program 2025

This college has played a crucial role in shaping my career. I came here from my home country with big dreams and aspirations, and I achieved everything that I thought of thanks to my teachers and this college.

Vanshu Sharma – Pharmacy Technician Program 2025

Northwest Suburban College is a career college providing the needed education and skills to secure a job and build a career. It is a great path into the medical field. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to receive institutional aid from the school. This was a difference maker for me in being able to quickly start my path to a new career.

Angel Corral – Dental Assistant Program 2024

Read More
Get More Information