Pharmacy Technician

The Diploma in Pharmacy Technician provides students the opportunity to learn the basics of drug interactions, medical abbreviations, and patient communication. Training also includes a background in anatomy and physiology, and courses in Microsoft Office as well as health care law and ethics. In addition, an externship is required so students receive additional hands-on experience in a pharmacy practice site.

Pharmacy Technician graduates work in retail and non-retail pharmacies. This can include the town pharmacy, major pharmacy chains, grocery stores, a hospital or health care setting, or a mail-order pharmacy. Pharmacy Technician program graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) exam offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). All students wishing to enroll in the Pharmacy Technician program will be required to pass a background check prior to the start of the program.

Program outcomes. Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Perform the duties of the pharmacy technician in a professional, legal, and ethical manner.
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communications with patients and healthcare providers.
• Demonstrate pharmaceutical calculations for the safe dispensing of medications.
• Utilize medical terminology, pharmacology, and pathophysiology in the safe dispensing of medications.
• Perform clerical procedures to assure adequate inventory and continuous quality improvement.
• Utilize current technology in the processing and dispensing of prescriptions.
• Demonstrate proficiency in the safe and legal preparation, dispensing, and storage of medications.

Your learning experience.

• Utilizing pharmaceutical calculations and current technology for safe medical dispensing while adhering legal, ethical, and professional standards in pharmacy practice.
• Communicating and managing pharmacy operations.
• Applying medical and pharmaceutical knowledge by understanding drug classifications, trade and generic names, and their applications.
• Our pharmacy technician programs' enhanced software learning experience is provided by PioneerRx, a real-life pharmacy software system used across the United States.

All-inclusive tuition. ANU tuition includes all fees (application, course, technology, graduation, etc.), textbooks, and lab equipment (where applicable).

Refresher privilege. As part of our commitment to keeping graduates' skills and training up to date, the University allows its graduates to return at any time to retake courses in their respective fields, subject to availability. No tuition fees will be charged for this benefit; graduates will be responsible for any additional costs associated with books, equipment, or third-party testing fees.

To be admitted to any undergraduate (i.e., associate or baccalaureate) program at the University, applicants must show a completed high school (or equivalent level) education, met through a completed high school education, a completed home school education program at the high school level, or an earned GED or other state-authorized high school equivalency examination. Applicants may also qualify with an official transcript showing any degree earned at the associate level or higher, or at least 60 semester credits (90 quarter credits) that count toward a baccalaureate degree. All undergraduate students must complete placement evaluations in English and mathematics before beginning classes (students entering a healthcare program also complete a science placement evaluation).

Pharmacy Technician applicants must pass a background check prior to enrollment (at their own expense), understand that those with drug misdemeanors or felonies cannot enroll, understand that drug testing is likely to occur by the placement sites, obtain required immunizations, screenings, and drug testing as required by externship sites, and investigate state-specific externship licensing requirements before enrolling.

For the convenience of its students, the University operates on a quarter-based schedule with year-round classes. Students may begin their programs at any of the starting dates during the year.

Full-time undergraduate students enroll in at least 12 credit hours per 10-week term. This typically includes three different 4-credit courses offered across either 5-week or 10-week sessions.

The University courses use both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (on-demand) interactions. Courses are delivered online (delivered through Canvas with scheduled Global Learn™ sessions) and through hybrid instruction (combining online coursework with required in-person residencies).

Students attend a live session at specific times and days each week through video conferencing. Many classes offer scheduling options to meet different circumstances, such as frequency of meetings, daytime meetings, evenings, and weekends.

Upcoming start dates: November 15, 2026; January 3, 2027; February 7, 2027; March 21, 2027; April 25, 2027; June 6, 2027; July 11, 2027; August 22, 2027; September 26, 2027; November 7, 2027; December 12, 2027.

Tuition. Tuition is $382 per quarter credit hour; for the 48 credit hours this program requires, total program tuition is $18,336. Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis and billed each academic term. All textbooks are included in the student's tuition.

All-inclusive pricing. ANU tuition includes all fees (application, course, technology, graduation, etc.), textbooks, and lab equipment (where applicable). The University's all-inclusive pricing provides the equipment needed to complete all coursework; some items are loaned and must be returned within 15 days after graduation or withdrawal.

Fees applicable to all students. Transcript fee $10 (first copy free); returned check/declined credit card fee $25; transaction chargeback 10% + $15; diploma reprint $50; duplicate ID $10; experiential learning evaluation $50 per course; challenge exams $50 per exam. Fees are non-refundable after 5 calendar days from enrollment.

Estimated annual cost of attendance (three terms). Tuition: review program cost. Food and Housing $9,344 (living with parent/guardian) or $9,312 (not living with parent/guardian); Transportation $2,864; Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment $936; Personal Expenses $2,752 or $4,816.

Payment. All students must pay tuition in full before the term begins, unless they are enrolled in a program with limited seats. Students using federal aid or loans must have all forms completed and payment schedules finalized before the term starts; students using employer, Veterans Education Benefits, or other third-party tuition assistance must have an approved contract on file for delayed payment.

Federal aid. Students seeking to participate in federal and/or most state financial aid programs must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); ANU's school code is 003726. Federally funded aid available to eligible students includes the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and Federal Work-Study.

Military and veterans. American National University is approved by the State Approving Agency for the education and training of eligible veterans and their dependents. Military education benefits include the Montgomery GI Bill®, the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, the Yellow Ribbon Program and Military Tuition Assistance; ANU's Blue Ribbon Grant provides up to 35% of the total amount paid toward direct educational costs (up to $18,000) after military education benefits are exhausted.

Institutional grants. ANU institutional aid includes the Business Partnership Grant, President's Grant, Private Loan Supplemental Grant, Refer a Friend Grant ($750), Workforce Development Grant, University Transfer Grant and ANU Legacy Merit Scholarship, each subject to its eligibility terms and available funding.

Net price calculator. Estimate your yearly cost with ANU's net price calculator: https://an.edu/admissions/financial-assistance/net-price-va/

Where could your degree take you?

• Pharmacy technician (retail pharmacy chain)
• Pharmacy technician (hospital)
• Pharmacy technician (local pharmacy)
• Pharmacy technician (medical office)

Certifications and licensure.

• Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) - PTCB or National Healthcareers Association (part of PTA288)

Student outcomes.

• DEAC Student Achievement Disclosure (published 6/16/2026), 2025 graduation rates: Diploma in Pharmacy Technician: 17% graduation rate for the 2/1/23-1/31/24 start cohort (6 graduates; median 1.2 years to complete).
• PTCE Pass Rates for first time attempts: 75% (program page).

ANU publishes PTA Registration Requirements by State (https://an.edu/bfd_download/pta-registration-requirements-by-state/).

High Tech, High Touch. Our eLearning environment utilizes advanced technology for a highly interactive experience. We offer much more than simply an "online degree", but rather a holistic educational experience combining multiple modes of course delivery with comprehensive financial aid, student services, library resources, and career services support.

Global Meet. Access to education and career counseling services from anywhere is a key component of our Global eUniversity: admission counseling, student services, financial aid planning, career counseling and academic advising through live video, live chat, phone, email, web portal, or in person at one of our learning sites.

Global Teach. We provide educational services at the university level anywhere you are located: through e-books, virtual labs, online research libraries and databases.

Global Learn. eLearning takes the distance out of "distance learning" by providing the environment we're famous for through online delivery combining Canvas LMS (learning management system) with Global Learn Video Conferencing. For certain healthcare programs, such as our medical assisting and pharmacy technician programs, each student is provided with a lab kit, with which they complete assignments while under the watchful eyes of their instructors.