Aggie Pharmacy Technician Program
About the Aggie Pharmacy Technician Program (PTP)
The Texas A&M University Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy is proud to announce the new Aggie Pharmacy Technician Program (PTP). This program was created to help solve the serious pharmacy technician shortage problem in Texas, a shortage expected to grow even more in the next 10 years. The Rangel College of Pharmacy is eager to be a part of the solution to this problem.
The Rangel College of Pharmacy opened in fall 2006 with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. Since the very beginning, we have been exceptional in meeting our mission. The Aggie PTP program too will be outstanding as we have developed this program to meet the gold standard accreditation requirements of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
The Aggie PTP curriculum is based on the apprenticeship model where students practice in retail or hospital pharmacies what they learn in the classroom and lab. When students begin the practice phase, they will become pharmacy technician trainees.
Program Requirements
For Admission
- Be a high school graduate, earned a GED diploma, or is currently a high school senior.
- Meet TSI/TSIA college readiness standards or meet TSI/TSIA exemption standards [1].
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on the high school or college transcript or a passing score on the GED test[2].
- Submit the admissions application.
- Submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher or employer.
- Successfully complete the criminal background checks and drug screening.
- Maintain health insurance.
- Be able to perform each technical standard and essential function.
For Experiential Rotation
- Obtain the Texas State Board of Pharmacy Technician Trainee Registration. Students are responsible for the application fee.
- Complete the required immunizations.
- 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
|
Block 1 |
Block 2 |
Block 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
• Professionalism and the Role of the Pharmacy Technician • Community Pharmacy Practice • Institutional Pharmacy Practice • Calculations • Communications
|
• Dosage Forms and Compounding • Pharmacy Law and Ethics • Pharmacotherapy and Disease Processes • Point of Care Testing and Immunizations • Safety, Resources and Emergency Preparedness |
• Technician Certification Review • 180 Apprenticeship Hours |
[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
- Complete and submit the online admissions application form and required documents.
- RCOP notifies candidate for interview.
- RCOP notifies admitted student.
- 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
Spring/Summer 2025 Semester |
Summer/Fall 2025 Semester |
|
|---|---|---|
Application Deadline |
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 | Sunday, February 9, 2025 |
Scholarship Offers Made |
Every week, as admissions decisions are made. | Every week, as admissions decisions are made. |
Program Starts |
Monday, February 3, 2025 | Monday, May 19, 2025 |
Program Ends |
Friday, August 22, 2025 | Friday, January 2, 2026 |
When is the program offered?
At least twice a year. The next program will launch on Monday, February 3, 2025.
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. During Block 3, students become apprentices in retail or
hospital pharmacies and practice, in a real pharmacy setting, what they learned in Blocks 1 and 2.
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.
|
Application fee |
$25 |
|
Tuition |
$4,000 |
|
Book |
$111, new book, lower price is possible |
|
Pharmacy technician trainee registration application fee |
$105, an estimate, includes fingerprinting fee |
|
Laptop, iPad, or desktop computer |
$500, an estimate and if needed |
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:
1) We are a PTCB-recognized program and we are also seeking ASHP/ACPE accreditation. Getting accredited by ASHP/ACPE ensures quality and compliance with their standards.
2) Plus, we uphold the high Texas A&M Aggie standards.
3) We offer a hybrid delivery format where students complete part of the courses online and other parts on campus.
4) Our tuition is about half as much as the average cost of a pharmacy technician program in Texas, as per the Texas Workforce Commission search results, https://apps.twc.state.tx.us/CSC/directory/search.do.
5) We provide APhA Immunization Delivery training for technicians. After completing our program, students will be certified to administer certain immunizations.
6) Courses are taught by the Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy PharmD and PhD faculty.
7) 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
Teresa Zamora, CPhT
Aggie PTP Operations Coordinator
teresa.zamora@tamu.edu
ph: 979.436.0769