Aggie Pharmacy Technician Program

Program Requirements

For Admission

1. Be a high school graduate, earned a GED diploma, or is currently a high school senior.
2. Meet TSI/TSIA college readiness standards or meet TSI/TSIA exemption standards [1].
3. Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on the high school or college transcript or a passing score on the GED test[2].
4. Submit the admissions application. 
5. Submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher or employer.
6. Successfully complete the criminal background checks and drug screening.
7. Maintain health insurance.
8. Be able to perform each technical standard and essential function.

For Experiential Rotation

1. Obtain the Texas State Board of Pharmacy Technician Trainee Registration. Students are responsible for the application fee.
2. Complete the required immunizations.
3. Agree to travel up to an hour one way to complete the apprenticeship.

If you are an international student, please contact us at aggieptp@tamu.edu. 

Schedule

[1] For the details on the college readiness benchmark scores and the TSI/TSIA exemptions, please visit this Texas Education Agency page: https://tea.texas.gov/academics/college-career-and-military-prep/the-tsia-texas-success-initiative-assessment.

[2] The passing score is different based on when the GED exam was taken. For more information, please visit this Texas Education Agency page: https://tea.texas.gov/student-assessment/certificate-of-high-school-equivalency/test-score-requirements.

Application Process

1. Complete and submit the online admissions application form and required documents.
2. RCOP notifies candidate for interview.
3. RCOP notifies admitted student.
4. Student accepts the admission offer.

For additional information or questions, please fill out the prospective student form.

Tuition

The total tuition cost for this program is $4,000 plus a non-refundable $25 application fee and the pharmacy technician trainee registration application fee. Since the pharmacy technician trainee registration application fee can change, please visit the TSBP website here for the latest cost. There will be merit-based and needs-based scholarships to offset this tuition cost.

Important Dates

How long is the Aggie Pharmacy Technician Program (PTP)?

The program length varies between two options. One option is 16 weeks over the summer. Another option is a year-long program to be offered over the fall and spring semesters. The specific length of this year-long program is being planned.

What is the curriculum?

The Aggie PTP will train all students to work at a retail or hospital pharmacy as an entry-level pharmacy technician. During Blocks 1 and 2, students are introduced to the profession of pharmacy technician and develop various skills by completing 10 classroom and lab courses. Then, during Block 3, students become apprentices in retail or hospital pharmacies: under the direction of a pharmacist and/or pharmacy technician, they practice what they learned during the first two blocks in a real pharmacy setting.

What is the employment outlook for pharmacy technicians?

The average hourly wage for pharmacy technicians in Texas was $20.67 in 2023 and the average annual wage was $42,990. Texas has the second highest pharmacy technician employment level in the US.

Source: Pharmacy Technicians Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292052.htm

How much will it cost to complete the Aggie PTP?

The program cost is made up of a non-refundable application fee, program tuition, one book for the entire program, pharmacy technician trainee registration application fee and a device such as a laptop, iPad, or desktop computer you will need for the entire program. Please see the table below.

 Are there scholarships?

Yes! There will be scholarships awarded based on merit and financial needs. The admissions application already contains questions that will be used to determine scholarship awards. It is possible to receive a scholarship equal to the full tuition.

There are other pharmacy technician programs. Why should I choose the Aggie PTP over the other ones?

The Aggie PTP stands out because of many reasons:

• We are seeking ASHP/ACPE accreditation. Getting accredited by ASHP/ACPE ensures quality and compliance with their standards.
• Plus, we uphold the high Texas A&M Aggie standards.
• We offer different program lengths. During the summers the program is completed over 16 weeks. We are also planning a full-year program that can be completed over the fall and spring semesters.
• Our tuition is about half as much as the average cost of a pharmacy technician program in Texas.
• We provide APhA Immunization Delivery training for technicians. After completing our program, students will be certified to administer certain immunizations.
• Courses are taught by the Irma Lerma Rangel School of Pharmacy PharmD and PhD faculty.
• To ensure student success, we provide academic support through PharmD peer mentors and other supplemental instructors.

How do I get more information about the Aggie PTP?

Complete the prospective student form available here. You can also email us at aggieptp@tamu.edu to schedule a 1-on-1 meeting.

Dr. Andrea Mora
Aggie PTP Program Director
andrea.mora@tamu.edu

Dr. Elaine Demps
Aggie PTP Program Manager
demps@tamu.edu

ph: 361.221.0961

Dr. Mohammad Nutan
Program Development Director
mnutan@tamu.edu