Pharmacy Technician Certificate
Your Path to a Pharmacy Career in Just 8 Months
The Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program prepares students to work alongside pharmacists in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, retail pharmacies, and home healthcare. Students gain essential skills in prescription processing, sterile compounding, infection control, and drug classification. Through a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and real-world externship experience, students gain the skills necessary for success in this growing field. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for national certification exams such as the CPhT and ExCPT, providing professional recognition and a competitive edge in the workforce.
Program Snapshot
- Program Type: Certificate
- Duration: 8 Months
- Start Dates: Monthly
- Format: Hybrid (In-Person Didactic Hours + Asynchronous Online Coursework)
- Hours Required: 600 Clock Hours, Including 240 Hours in an Externship
Curriculum Highlights
- 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
Schedule
Following a hybrid schedule, in-person didactic hours provide classroom and lab instruction, while the remaining coursework is completed asynchronously online.
- Class Sections: Tuesday Evenings and Saturdays
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 – Your Pathway to Employment
Graduates of the Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program are eligible to sit for the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) exam from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the ExCPT exam through 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 for Admission
- Interview with Admissions Team
- Background Check
