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Degree & Certificate Options

Spring 2024 registration opens October 30

Spring classes will fill quickly! Make sure you have a plan for Spring classes so you can register early and enroll in the classes you need to reach your goals. Need guidance? Our academic advising office is here to help!

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Pharmacy Technician Degree and Certificates

Whether you choose the AAS Degree Program or Certificate Program, all courses are led by instructors with experience in the healthcare field. You’ll receive a quality education and personalized attention from faculty and staff who are dedicated to supporting your potential and preparing you for career opportunities as a professional pharmacy technician.

Upon provisional acceptance, the program director will notify the student of dates needed to obtain additional information:
  • Criminal background check
  • Drug Screen
  • Health statement / immunizations

About the Pharmacy Technician Degree & Certification

The Associate of Applied Science Degree is for those who wish to be dedicated, competent and caring professionals. The program at PPSC is designed to prepare graduates to take the PTCB exam and be eligible for state certification. Students will benefit from the education in the pharmacy technician program with excellent clinical facilities and staff, state of the art labs, and experienced and accessible faculty.

The Pikes Peak State College Pharmacy Technician Program strives to be the Southern Colorado leader in pharmacy technician education where comprehensive training and experience come together to generate productive and professional individuals for employment in the pharmacy field. We want our graduates to not only obtain gainful employment in the most competitive of positions, but to excel in their chosen profession. PPSC’s Pharmacy Technician Program has been accredited by ASHP, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, as an Advanced-Level Pharmacy Technician Education Program.

Coursework is rigorous, and includes an orientation to the profession of pharmacy, pharmacology and pathophysiology, pharmaceutical calculations, aseptic and extemporaneous compounding, in addition to hands on laboratory practice in multiple practice settings. Students complete 320 clinical internship hours prior to graduation. Students must provide their own transportation to their clinical sites. Some classes must be taken in a prescribed order to move forward within the curriculum.

Graduates from our program receive an Associate of Applied Science in Pharmacy Technician, or Certificate (depending on major). An Advanced Practice Certificate is also available and includes ACPE Accredited IV Certification.

pharmacy tech helping a customer

Sample Curriculum

Sample Curriculum

Sample Curriculum

Students should complete program prerequisites and meet with the PHT Program Director prior to submitting the pharmacy technician application. Prerequisite courses to be completed prior to application to the program are CSC 105 or CIS 118, CCR 092 and MAT 050 or MAT 083.

Pharmacy Technician Classes Offered Only in the Fall & Spring Semesters

First Semester

  • PHT 111 Introduction to Pharmacy 3
  • PHT 112 Pharmacy Law 2
  • PHT 115 Pharmacology I 3
  • PHT 118 Pharmacology II 3
  • PHT 114 Computer Skills for Pharm. Techs 1
  • PHT 235 Pharmaceutical Calculations and Compounding Techniques 4
  • HPR 102 CPR for Professionals 0.5

16.5 Total Credits

Second Semester

  • PHT 119 Community Pharmacy 3
  • PHT 116 Institutional Pharmacy 3
  • PHT 170 Clinical: Institutional Pharmacy 4
  • PHT 171 Clinical: Community Pharmacy 4
  • COM 225 Organizational Communication 3

17 Total Credits

 

Students must successfully complete the initial PPSC Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program before being eligible to complete the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Certificate. Students that register for the advanced pharmacy practice courses without first meeting this requirement and having approval from the program director will be administratively withdrawn from the course.

Sample Curriculum

Pharmacy Technician Classes Offered Only in the Fall & Spring Semesters

  • CIS 155 PC Spreadsheet Concepts 3
  • HPR 139 Medical Terminology 2
  • HPR 208 Medical Record Terminology 2
  • PHT 250 Sterile Compounding & Aseptic Technique 2
  • PHT 255 Advanced Pharmacy Practice & Nontraditional Roles 2

11 Total Credits

Those pursuing an AAS Degree

  • ENG 121 English Comp. I 3
  • MAT 103 Clinical Calculations 3
  • PSY 100 Psych. off Workplace Relationships 3
  • HWE 100 Human Nutrition 3
  • CHE 101 Intro. to Chemistry I or BIO 111 Gen. College Biology I 5

17 Total Credits

pharmacy technician

What Graduates Are Saying

“A wonderful program for a rewarding career! A challenging curriculum and knowledgeable instructors made my learning experience well worth it. If you are dedicated and willing to put in the time to study you will be overly prepared to start working as a pharmacy technician and will surely stand out to your new employer. Nicole will take the time to get to know you and ensure you are able to graduate. I highly recommend this program!” Sam K.

“Great program! Comprehensive and challenging yet fun. The hands on experience really helped when I did my clinical rotations and prepared me well. I was hired right out of my externship to a full time inpatient pharmacy position. I loved my instructors and their ability to encourage and motivate through even the most challenging and serious aspects of the curriculum. They clearly have a passion for pharmacy and teach with the purpose of sparking the same in others.” Heather O.

“This is a fantastic program for anyone wanting to become a pharmacy technician. It thoroughly prepares you to meet or exceed the requirements of both retail and hospital pharmacy. It's fun and realistic setting keeps you engaged and wanting more. The professors are knowledgeable, fun, and serious about the education you can expect to receive from this program. If you are serious about becoming a pharmacy technician, THIS is the program for you. You really do get out of it whatever you put into it. It is demanding, but everything you are taught applies. I am a proud graduate of this program and am very grateful to have had the professors and training I received. I have been a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPT) for four years and doubt that I could have gotten a better education anywhere else. Do yourself a favor and check out this program.” Grace L.

Contact Us

Faculty Contact

Nicole Barriera
(719) 502-3700
Nicole.Barriera@pikespeak.edu

Advising Team

Medical Sciences
Advising@pikespeak.edu
(719) 502-3232
(719) 502-2000