This program prepares individuals to perform the technical and specialized skills of a pharmacy technician within retail, mail-order, hospital, nursing homes and home health care settings. The program is designed to develop knowledge and understanding of basic pharmacology, maintenance of patient records, drug-product preparation and distribution and recordkeeping. A portion of this program will involve a simulated directed practice comprised of computer simulations and workbook assignments. The program also offers an optional directed practice in a real world pharmacy. A state and federal background check will be required prior to starting the optional real world directed practice. A grade of "C" or better is required in all courses to complete the program. A grade of "B" or better is required in the pharmacy technician core courses to be eligible to participate in the real world directed practice. Upon completion of the program students may take the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Examination.