Press Release: College of the Canyons Launches Pharmacy Technology Program
Santa Clarita, CA – College of the Canyons is excited to announce the opening of applications for its inaugural Pharmacy Technology program, set to launch in fall 2025. The program will accept its first cohort of 18 students until June 30, 2024.
Designed to equip students for entry-level pharmacy technician roles in various environments—ranging from retail to specialized and veterinary pharmacies—the program offers comprehensive training in pharmacology, pharmacy calculations, and compounding techniques. A substantial portion of the curriculum will occur through a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art simulation lab.
“This program was created in response to the need for certified pharmacy technicians in our community,” said Thea Sweo Alvarado, interim assistant superintendent/vice president of instruction. The program requires an externship, ensuring students gain practical experience, making them job-ready upon completion.
As noted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technician positions are projected to grow by 7% from 2023 to 2033—outpacing average job growth across all sectors. Graduates will be eligible for the California Pharmacy Technician license and can sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam to earn the Certified Pharmacy Technician credential.
The two-semester curriculum features courses such as:
- Introduction to Pharmacy Technology
- Pharmacy Calculations
- Pharmacology & Therapeutics
- Community Pharmacy Operations and Lab
- Institutional Pharmacy Practice and Sterile Compounding Lab
- Pharmacy Clinical Experience
The program is also seeking national accreditation from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
For further details about the Pharmacy Technology program, visit www.canyons.edu/academics/pharmacytech/index.php or contact [email protected].
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