When it comes to starting a career as a pharmacy technician, many people assume that getting a degree is the first and most essential step. After all, we’ve been conditioned to think that higher education is the key to job success. However, is a pharmacy tech degree truly necessary? Let’s break down the facts and explore whether you need to invest time and money in a pharmacy tech degree program or if there are more efficient and cost-effective options available.
The Traditional Path: Associate Degree in Pharmacy Technology
In the United States, one traditional option for becoming a pharmacy technician is to enroll in an associate degree program for pharmacy tech. This path typically involves completing a two-year course of study at a college or university, which culminates in earning a university certificate or degree. While a university-issued credential may carry prestige and serve as a tangible marker of your commitment to the field, the reality is that a degree is not the top priority for most employers hiring pharmacy technicians.
Why Consider an Associate Degree?
For many aspiring pharmacy techs, the allure of a degree is understandable. University degrees are often seen as symbols of credibility, competence, and dedication. They are respected across industries, especially in healthcare, where doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other professionals proudly display their degrees on office walls. A pharmacy tech degree may give you a similar sense of achievement, but does it really enhance your job prospects? And more importantly, is it worth the financial and time investment?
Let’s examine the downsides of pursuing an associate degree in pharmacy technology.
The Challenges of a Pharmacy Tech Degree
1. Tuition Costs: A Heavy Financial Burden
One of the most significant drawbacks to obtaining a degree in pharmacy technology is the cost. The tuition for a two-year associate degree program can easily reach $30,000 or more. For many adults, particularly those with existing financial responsibilities, taking on that level of debt may not be feasible. The reality is that most people would need to rely on student loans to cover the cost, and even before landing their first pharmacy tech job, they would be saddled with student loan debt.
Imagine graduating, landing a job, and realizing that a sizable chunk of every paycheck will go towards repaying loans. This burden can follow you for years and detract from the financial freedom many seek when starting a new career.
2. Length of Study: Time-Consuming Programs
Another major drawback to the associate degree route is the time commitment. Most full-time degree programs take around two years to complete. This means two years of attending classes, commuting to and from campus, paying for parking, gas, meals, and other expenses—all while not working full-time in your desired career. For busy adults or those looking to make a career change quickly, a two-year program may seem impractical and frustratingly slow.
While you’re spending two years studying, you could be gaining hands-on experience and earning money as a pharmacy tech. In today’s fast-paced world, people want to start their careers as quickly as possible, and a long degree program may not align with that goal.
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The Alternative: Pharmacy Tech Certification
If an expensive and time-consuming degree isn’t the best option, what is? Fortunately, there’s a more efficient and affordable path to becoming a pharmacy technician: certification.
What Do Employers Really Want?
According to a recent survey, a staggering 90% of employers either encourage or require pharmacy technicians to be certified. In fact, a pharmacy tech certificate is often seen as more important than a degree when it comes to landing a job in this field.
A recognized certification, such as the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential, is what many employers prioritize. This certification can be obtained by passing an exam administered by organizations like the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Once you pass the exam, you are officially recognized as a Certified Pharmacy Technician, and your job prospects will improve significantly.
The Key to Success: CPhT Certification
Holding a CPhT certification signals to employers that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of a pharmacy technician. In many cases, the certification is a minimum requirement for the job, making it the golden ticket to kickstarting your career.
Whether you choose to pursue formal training or self-study, your primary focus should be preparing for the certification exam. Pharmacy tech training programs, particularly those that are shorter and more affordable than degree programs, can equip you with the knowledge to pass the exam and land a job quickly.
How to Start Your Career Fast: Pharmacy Tech Accelerator
If you’re serious about becoming a pharmacy technician and want to start your career without the heavy financial burden or long commitment of a degree program, you may want to explore a program like the Pharmacy Tech Accelerator. Designed to help individuals get job-ready in as little as three months, this program offers a streamlined approach to pharmacy tech training.
What Is the Pharmacy Tech Accelerator?
The Pharmacy Tech Accelerator is a step-by-step training program designed to help busy adults enter the pharmacy tech field quickly and efficiently. Developed by higher education expert Grant Aldrich, the accelerator focuses on the core skills and knowledge required for pharmacy technicians, preparing participants to pass the CPhT certification exam within just three months.
Here’s what the Pharmacy Tech Accelerator provides:
- A blueprint for becoming job-ready as a pharmacy technician in three months or less.
- Insight into the top three things you need to stand out as an entry-level pharmacy tech.
- A revolutionary new approach to pharmacy tech training that saves time and money, allowing participants to avoid student loan debt and avoid the hassles of daily commutes to in-person classes.
Best of all, the Pharmacy Tech Accelerator is completely free. This makes it an excellent choice for those who want to break into the pharmacy tech field quickly without the hefty price tag of a traditional degree program.
Takeaways: Do You Really Need a Pharmacy Tech Degree?
The bottom line is that while a pharmacy tech degree may carry a certain prestige, it is not a requirement for starting your career as a pharmacy technician. Instead, certification—specifically the CPhT certification—holds far more weight with employers and can help you start in the field much faster and with significantly less financial strain.
If you’re looking for a fast, affordable, and effective way to become a pharmacy technician, consider enrolling in a certification-focused program like the Pharmacy Tech Accelerator. With the right training, you could be job-ready in just a few months, bypassing the need for a costly degree and starting your career debt-free.
So, do you need a pharmacy tech degree? The answer is no. What you need is the right certification and the determination to start your career quickly and efficiently.
Becoming a Pharmacy Tech is Easier than Ever!
Preppy’s Pharmacy Technician Certification program offers a fast, affordable, and fully online path to a rewarding career in the growing pharmaceutical industry. You don’t need experience or college degree, and you can get certified in as little as two months—far quicker than the typical two-year programs. With Preppy’s online pharmacy technician program, you learn at your own pace, without textbooks or classrooms, all from the comfort of your home. Plus, you’ll gain valuable real-world experience through a volunteer externship arranged with one of our many partners. Backed by Auburn University, a 150-year-old accredited nonprofit, Preppy ensures you’re job-ready and confident to begin your pharmacy tech career.
Also read: Essential Tips Before Enrolling in a Pharmacy Technician Training Program
About:
Preppy was founded by higher education expert, Grant Aldrich, who’s work on college affordability and accessibility has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, Business Insider, American Express, AOL, MSN, Thrive Global, Reader’s Digest, Inside Higher Ed, Evolllution, EducationDive, and nearly 100 radio shows and podcasts.
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