Online Pharmacy Technician Degree Program Information

The prospective pharmacy technician who earns an associate's degree online gains the skills necessary to work in a hospital dispensary or retail pharmacy. Most online technician programs take two years to complete and include a field-based internship.

Online Pharmacy Technician Associate's Degree Program Overview

Pharmacy technicians are responsible for filling patient prescriptions, filing insurance claims and ordering medication under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. In an online associate's program, students learn to prepare prescription orders and manage drug inventory.
Some programs may require a pre-admission placement exam in addition to current certification in CPR and first aid. Online certificate programs in this field are also available and can be completed in six months.

Program Information and Requirements

A computer with Internet access is required. While taking required coursework online allows students the flexibility of working from home, this hybrid program requires some hands-on experience before completion. Tests and lectures are accessed using common video and audio applications, while some programs also require students to attend on-site lab sessions as part of the curriculum.
Upon completion of the curriculum, students enroll in a clinical internship under the guidance of a professional pharmacist. Most students receive their degree within two years, after which they are eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).

List of Common Pharmacy Technician Courses

General education requirements for an associate's degree program includes English and math. Some courses may be offered online as part of the program's curriculum; otherwise they can be taken at local colleges and technical schools.

Pharmacy Ethics Course

Students discuss the responsibilities of pharmacists and technicians, including patient confidentiality and professional conduct.

Pharmaceutical Terminology Course

Students are taught to interpret the prescription instructions of doctors and physicians. Basic and advanced terms related to drug administration are introduced.

Pharmaceutical Calculations in Practice Course

In this course, teachers use real-life examples to illustrate the process of calculating dosage. Students learn how to use pharmacy equipment, reference guides and error-checking systems to properly formulate prescriptions for patients.

Career Information

Payscale.com reports that pharmacy technicians made between $19,000 and $29,000 in 2009. Employment of technicians is projected to increase at a faster-than-average rate of 25% between 2008 and 2018, as noted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.com).

Continuing Education Information

Technicians interested in becoming pharmacists may decide to pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.). A typical Pharm.D. program takes four years to complete and has general education and pre-pharmacy course prerequisites, including statistics, chemistry and calculus. Some programs are available in an online hybrid format.