This program is a Selective Program. Application requirements are included in the description below.
The Pharmacy Technology program is jointly accredited by the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). This program prepares students to take a national certification exam approved by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. The Pharmacy Technology program is a Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Recognized Sterile Compounding Education/Training Program.
Pharmacy Technology Program
Associate of Applied Science
The Pharmacy Technology Associate of Applied Science degree combines pharmacy technology courses and general education courses to promote overall student development and enhance the knowledge base required for a variety of technician positions in pharmacy including retail, hospital, sterile compounding, mail order, and long term care. Graduates of the Associate of Applied Science degree may be eligible for teaching positions in pharmacy technology programs, and some continue their education to become pharmacists.
Application Requirements
All applicants must:
- Participate in the required Prospective Student Information Session at the Nursing and Allied Health Campus. For the session schedule, access the information on the Pharmacy Technology Program website online at https://www.southtexascollege.edu/pharmacy.
- Be admitted to the college as a high school graduate or GED equivalent, except for dual credit students.
- Meet TSI College Readiness Standards, or meet TSI exemption standards. If the student qualifies for exemption, college-readiness scores for Reading, Writing, and Math are required for accreditation purposes.
- Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for all courses completed at STC or, if currently a high school student, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale on the high school transcript.
- Be 18-years of age or older for practicum experiences.
- Pass a criminal background check, 10-panel drug screen through approved providers, and complete all required immunizations including Hepatitis B series. For more information on these requirements, access the Clinical Affairs website https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/clinical_affairs.html.
- Meet the NAH Functional Abilities Standards available on the NAH Clinical Affairs website at https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/clinical_affairs.html.
- Satisfy healthcare agency requirements prior to practicum experiences.
- Submit a completed program application by the stated deadline. For more information, access the website https://www.southtexascollege.edu/pharmacy.
NOTE: Please see program web page for additional information regarding the application process at https://www.southtexascollege.edu/pharmacy.
Program Application
Prospective Student Information Sessions are held year around. The Pharmacy Technology Program accepts applications for each fall cohort from the first Monday after spring break through the last Friday in summer session. Applications are available from the Pharmacy Technology Program website (https://www.southtexascollege.edu/pharmacy).
State Board of Pharmacy Registration
The Texas State Board of Pharmacy requires registration of all pharmacy technician trainees. Students admitted to the program who successfully complete the first semester are responsible for becoming registered with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy at their own expense. Additional information regarding pharmacy technician trainee licensure may be found the Texas State Board of Pharmacy website: www.tsbp.state.tx.us.
The program chair will verify with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy the registration status of all students before the third semester. Students who are not registered with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy as a pharmacy technician trainee or a registered pharmacy technician will not be eligible to enroll in practicum courses. Registration Refusal for Persons with Criminal Backgrounds According to the Texas Pharmacy Act (Section 568.003): the Board of Pharmacy may refuse to issue a pharmacy technician registration to an individual who has been convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, engaged in any fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, has a drug or alcohol dependency or has violated any federal or state pharmacy or drug laws.
Students having questions about this rule should contact the Texas State Board of Pharmacy
(www.tsbp.state.tx.us).
Drug related felony convictions automatically disqualify an individual from taking the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). Other felony convictions may also prevent a person from taking this exam, at the discretion of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Questions about eligibility for the PTCE should be directed to the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (www.ptcb.org).
Graduation Requirements
To earn an Associate of Applied Science in Pharmacy Technology, a student must meet all college graduation requirements and complete all degree plan lecture and lab coursework with a minimum grade of “C” and successfully pass the practicum course.
Advisory Committee Members
Adriana Pedraza, RPh, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance
Beatrice Godines, RPh, Mission Regional Medical Center
Emilio Garza, RPh, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance
David Castro, MBA, RPh, Weslaco Regional Rehabilitation Hospital
Yvonne Margo, RPh, Richard's Pharmacy
Emmanuel Ruiz, CPhT, Walgreens
Jessica Vallejo, CPhT, Weslaco Regional Rehabilitation Hospital
