In addition to the general education requirement, the associate degree includes the full-spectrum training required for employment in all pharmacy practice settings.Upon completion of the associate degree, graduates will meet the academic training requirements for licensing with the California State Board of Pharmacy.Graduates will also be well prepared for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam.
The major course requirements for the associate degree consists of the same 20 units of coursework listed in the Basic Certificate option, including the 1.5 units outpatient externship rotation.In addition to completing two additional academic courses (PHAR 057 and PHAR 060), students choosing the associate degree must perform 240 additional hours (three additional units) of externship, involving rotations in inpatient and sterile products pharmacy services.Students will be placed in the hospital and/or home infusion setting to complete these rotations. Background checks, health screenings, and/or drug testing will be required prior to lab classes.Any required investigations are done at the student’s expense.In addition, completion of a Communication Studies class (Communication Studies 097 or 101, or 101H, or 102) is a pre-requisite for externship.Students are expected to understand and agree to abide by the Program Guidelines, which include technician standards and essential functions for pharmacy technicians.
The associate degree is accredited by the American Society of Health- System Pharmacists (ASHP).Students must complete each required course with a grade of "C" or better (0.5 unit of Pharmacy Technology 060L or other L-series lab classes and externship with a grade of "P") to qualify for the degree option.
All courses are required to be completed within a 3-year period to be eligible for Pharmacy Technology program enrollment and certificate/ degree.
Learning Outcome(s):
Students will be prepared for pharmacy job interviews
Students will successfully complete the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam and license application process in a timely manner.
Required Courses:
PHAR 048 | Introduction to Pharmacy Technology | 2 |
PHAR 051 | Body Systems I | 3.5 |
PHAR 052 | Body Systems II | 3.5 |
PHAR 054A | Beginning Pharmacy Calculations | 1 |
PHAR 054B | Advanced Pharmacy Calculations | 1 |
PHAR 056 | Pharmacy Operations | 4.5 |
PHAR 057 | Inpatient Pharmacy Services | 2 |
PHAR 060 | Sterile Products | 4.5 |
PHAR 072A | Pharmacy Technology Externship Outpatient | 0.5-1.5 |
PHAR 072B | Pharmacy Technology Externship Inpatient | 0.5-2.5 |
PHAR 072C | Pharmacy Technology Externship Sterile Products | 0.5-2.5 |
PHAR 056L | Pharmacy Technology Skills Lab | 0.5 |
— or — |
PHAR 057L | Pharmacy Technology Skills Lab | 0.5 |
— or — |
PHAR 060L | Pharmacy Technology Skills Lab | 0.5 |
— or — |
PHAR 072L-1 | Pharmacy Technology Skills Lab | 0.5 |
CMST 097 | American English Conversational Skills | 3 |
— or — |
CMST 101 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
— or — |
CMST 101H | Honors Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
— or — |
CMST 102 | Public Speaking | 3 |
Recommended electives: |
BIOL 139 | Health Microbiology | 4 |
BIOL 149 | Human Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
BA 038 | Telephone Techniques | 0.5 |
BA 110 | Computer Keyboarding Skills | 1-2 |
BA 115 | Computer Keyboarding Speed and Accuracy Development | 1-2 |
CHEM 109 | Chemistry in the Community | 4 |
CHEM 119 | Fundamentals - General and Organic | 5 |
CMPR 100 | The Computer and Society | 3 |
PHAR 080 | Pharmacy Calculations Review | 2 |
