Find your perfect college degree
Pharmacy is a profession in the healthcare industry that directly contributes to the improvement of the health and well-being of patients. Pharmacists are responsible dispensing medications, counseling patients, and ensuring the safe and effective use of such drugs.
If you enjoy interacting with people and providing patient care, a career in pharmacy enables professionals to work directly with patients, answer their questions and offer medication-related advice.
The US Labor Statistics Bureau says the job outlook for pharmacists remains stable at the expected growth rate of 5% between 2023 and 2033, which is as fast as the average. The median pay for pharmacists sits at $65.40 per hour or $136,030 per year.
The Lowdown
A curriculum for an online associate degree in Pharmacy covers everything the students need to gain a strong foundation in pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, healthcare communication, and other related topics.
Aside from medical and health sciences, and pharmacy tech terminology, technology, and practices, students will also explore law and ethics, inventory management, and professional development that relate to the pharmaceutical industry and their careers.
Due to its intense training in the foundation of pharmaceutical sciences, an online Pharmacy degree at the associate’s level leads to various entry-level career opportunities that go beyond being pharmacy technicians and assistants.
These job opportunities include pharmaceutical sales representatives, manufacturing technicians, drug safety specialists, clinical research assistants, healthcare administrative roles, medical billing and coding specialists, and even healthcare IT support.
Jumpstart Your Pharmacy Career
Enrolling in traditional or online Associates in Pharmacy is a great way to jump-start your career! This two-year Pharmacy education program lets you test the waters of whether or not the job of health system pharmacist is ideal for you without committing yet to a full-year bachelor’s program.
Although being a licensed pharmacist requires a doctoral or professional degree, a graduate with an Associate degree in Pharmacy can qualify for various entry-level roles in the healthcare and pharmacy industry, such as pharmacy technician jobs.
Fortunately, the job outlook for pharmacy technicians is expected to be 7% from 2023 to 2032. With median pay as of 2023 for this job at $40,300 per year or $19.37 per hour, the future is definitely filled with hope for students who start their on-campus or online pharmacy technician program as early as today.
Methodology
If you are searching for online degree programs in associates in pharmacy, you don’t have to look further! We have gathered a list of some of the top universities and colleges that offer the best pharmacy degree at the associate’s level, which students can complete online.
The institutions in our list, sorted in no particular order, are handpicked based on certain criteria. In particular, the best Pharmacy degree online programs offered by top schools have the following features:
- Offers courses that are delivered 100% or partially online for students, especially adult or working learners, to have greater flexibility in their schedules,
- Provides rigorous coursework that covers the basic aspects of Pharmacy and its various fields in order for students to have a solid foundation in this discipline,
- Holds transfer path agreements with four-year universities that allow for a seamless transition to the bachelor’s degree level,
- Offers affordable tuition and a variety of financial assistance options to students looking for ways to finance their associate degree education,
- Employs faculty members with pharmaceutical expertise and relevant industry experience in order to provide great-value real-life scenarios in their class lessons,
- Has accreditation approved by industry-recognized organizations or agencies to ensure the program adheres to high-quality academic standards.
Read our Methodology for more information.
5 Best Online Associate in Pharmacy Degrees
American National University (Online)
American National University offers a Pharmacy Technician Associate’s Degree program in asynchronous online and synchronous video learning formats. It is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experience to become efficient and effective assistants to pharmacists when providing medication and healthcare products to patients.
The program requires students to complete 96 credit hours toward graduation, which includes 56 credit hours of Program Core courses like the following:
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy Systems of Operation
- Advanced Pharmacy Calculations
- Chemistry
- Diseases of the Human Body
- Dosage and Calculations of Medications
- Health Care Law and Ethics
- Pharmacy Practices
- Terminology of Body Systems and Support
The curriculum also includes the PTA288 course entitled “Pharmacy Technician Exam Success Class,” which requires students to sit for the Certified Pharmacy Technician or CPhT test of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or PTCB.
The students will also enhance their pharmaceutical field experience and laboratory skills through two externship courses for a total of 240 hours. As an online program, the students can find clinical and externship sites in their local area for these courses.
The Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission, or PTAC, has approved the programmatic accreditation of the Pharmacy Technician Associate’s degree program offered by the University. PTAC is a collaborative project of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education or ACPE and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists or ASHP.
The University holds an accreditation status approved by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission or DEAC.
Seminole State College of Florida (Hybrid)
Seminole State College of Florida offers its Associate in Science (AS) in Clinical Pharmacy Technology degree program with General Education courses available in both online and on-campus formats. The Core courses, however, are only available at its campus in Altamonte Springs.
Students under this pharmacy technician associate degree program are trained to become pharmacy technician specialists who are equipped with higher-level pharmaceutical knowledge as well as management skills suitable for employment in hospital settings.
Courses available in this program include:
- Introduction to Pharmacy Technology
- Concepts in Pharmacy Practice
- Pharmacology
- IV Infusion for Pharmacy Technology
- Pharmacy Compounding
- Pharmacy Operations
- Pharmacy Technician Practicum
Graduates of this AS in Clinical Pharmacy program are qualified to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Examination.
The curriculum has received the approval of the Florida Board of Pharmacy to prepare students for the demands of the modern-day job market.
Seminole State College upholds the rigorous educational standards set by the PTCB as well as the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges.
South Texas College (Hybrid and Online)
South Texas College offers its Associate of Applied Science in Pharmacy Technology degree program through a combination of online, hybrid, and daytime classes. It prepares students to become well-rounded pharmacy technicians with the capabilities to assist licensed pharmacists in preparing prescription medicines and performing administrative functions within the pharmacy environment.
This Pharmacy Technician associate degree program requires students to complete a total of 60 credit hours toward graduation. Core courses include the following:
- Introduction to Pharmacy
- Community Pharmacy Practice
- Computerized Drug Delivery Systems
- Drug Classification
- Institutional Pharmacy Practice
- Pharmaceutical Mathematics I and II
- Pharmacotherapy and Disease Process
- Pharmacy Law
- Pharmacy Terminology
The curriculum also includes two Practicum courses for a total of 3 credit units.
The programmatic accreditation of this AAS in Pharmacy Technology program has earned the nod of ACPE and ASHP. It is also a recognized Sterile Compounding Education/Training Program by PTCB.
The SACSCOC has approved the accreditation of South Texas College to award Associate and Baccalaureate degrees.
Wake Tech Community College (Hybrid)
Based in North Carolina, Wake Technical Community College offers its Associate in Applied Science in Pharmacy Technology degree program with courses available in on-campus and hybrid formats.
The Applied Science degree program aims to provide students with a broad understanding of pharmacology, medication therapy, anatomy and physiology, pharmacy law and regulations, and purchasing and inventory control, among other concepts.
It also builds and strengthens various skills that pharmacy technicians need to perform their duties effectively and efficiently, including computer skills, prescription interpretation, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
In order to obtain the pharmacy technician associate degree, students need to complete a total of 64 credits, including courses in Biology, Communication, Psychology, Medical, and Humanities.
The Pharmacy-related courses under the curriculum include the following:
- Introduction to Pharmacy
- Community Pharmacy
- Hospital Pharmacy
- Pharmacy Dosage Forms
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy Calculations
- Pharmacy Clinical
- Pharmacy Clinical
- Pharmacy Practice
- Sterile Products
Wake Technical also offers a Pharmacy Technology Bridge AAS program that allows students to accelerate their AAS degree program if they have a minimum of three years of work experience as pharmacy technicians in the past ten years. The courses are available in hybrid learning formats with evening and weekend laboratory classes.
Wake Technical Community College is institutionally accredited to award associate degrees as approved by SACSCOC.
Miller-Motte College (Online)
Tennessee-based Miller-Motte College is offering an Associate of Applied Science in Pharmacy Technician degree program as one of its online programs. This Associate program trains students to pursue a career in the healthcare industry as pharmacy technicians who assist licensed pharmacists in dispensing prescription and over-the-counter medications and provide administrative support in pharmacy settings.
Students are required to obtain 92 credit hours to graduate from this pharmacy technician associate degree program, which takes as little as 18 months to complete, thanks to its rolling admissions with classes starting every 5 to 10 weeks.
Important courses available under this program include the following:
- Allied Health Orientation
- Body Systems
- Community Pharmacy Principles
- Drug Classification Systems
- Institutional Pharmacy Principles
- Intravenous Products and Aseptic Techniques
- Pharmaceutical Mathematics
- Pharmacology
This Pharmacy Technology degree program is an education and training program recognized by the PTCB, and thus, it prepares students for the national certification examination to obtain their Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential.
Miller-Motte College also meets the academic and licensure standards set by the Florida Board of Pharmacy for the Pharmacy Technician training program.
MMC also maintains accreditation approved by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and is a recognized postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. It is also an institutional participant in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I become a certified pharmacy technician with an Associate in Pharmacy Technology degree?
Yes, you can. A pharmacy technician associate degree can be a valuable step toward becoming a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT), as many pharmacy technician programs, including those at Associate levels, are designed to align with the requirements for certification by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
After completing your degree, you can take the pharmacy technician certification exam to obtain your CPhT certification credentials, which can enhance your career prospects and earning potential.
Keep in mind, however, that certification requirements may vary by state, so it’s essential to research your state’s specific requirements if you plan to work as a pharmacy technician.
Can students use their Pharmacy Technology Associate degree to become licensed Pharmacists?
The entry-level roles for licensed pharmacists in the country require at least a doctoral degree. Fortunately, an associate degree in pharmacy science or pharmacy technology can serve as your gateway to pursue higher education and achieve the pharmacist role.
After completing your associate degree program, you may have to complete specific prerequisite courses such as biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, which are required for admission to pharmacy school. Be sure to research the prerequisites of the pharmacy schools you plan to apply to, as requirements can vary.
The next step is to complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.) program, which is generally a four-year program that provides the training, education, and preparation required to become a licensed pharmacist. A bachelor’s program is not always mandatory for admission into a Pharm. D. program.
After obtaining your doctoral degree, you’ll need to pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) or a state-specific jurisprudence exam.
These exams assess your knowledge and competency in pharmacy law and practice. Afterward, you can apply for licensure in the state where you plan to practice as a pharmacist. Licensing requirements vary by state based on the specific criteria set by the state’s pharmacy board.
Are online Associate in Pharmacy Technology programs as reputable as traditional on-campus programs?
Yes, they are! Many accredited institutions offer online Associate in Pharmacy Technology programs with courses designed to accommodate adult learners, especially those who have to juggle work and personal responsibilities. These online programs are also designed to provide students with the flexibility to complete coursework from anywhere at any time.
Take note, though, that the quality and reputation of an online program depend on many factors, such as the institution’s accreditation, program curriculum, and faculty expertise.
Reputable colleges and universities always ensure that their online programs meet the educational standards of on-campus associate degrees. It’s also important to choose institutions that maintain accreditation status approved by industry-recognized accrediting organizations or agencies to ensure that the highest educational and industry standards are upheld.
Summary Points
- A two-year Associate degree program can be your stepping stone to enter the healthcare industry as an aspiring pharmacist. Some students also transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a Bachelor’s or Doctor of Pharmacy degree to obtain the qualifications to sit for a licensed pharmacist exam.
- When searching for online Associate in Pharmacy programs, you’ll find that the majority of programs focus on training aspiring pharmacy technicians and preparing them to sit for the certified pharmacy technician test through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
- If you’re specifically interested in an Associate in Pharmacy or a Pre-Pharmacy program, it’s worth noting that these programs are less common and are typically offered as traditional, on-campus options.
- A pharmacy technician plays an essential role in assisting licensed pharmacists in dispensing prescription medications and other healthcare products to patients, in answering customer queries about their conditions, and in providing administrative support within the pharmacy setting.
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