Continuing Education and Professional Development

Professional Pharmacy Technician Training Program FAQ
In effort to better serve student needs and interests, the Schoolcraft College Continuing Education and Professional Development Department worked with our educational partner, MK Education, to offer two, new Pharmacy Technician Training Modules.  Collectively, these two modules (Community Practice Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Preparation) comprise our current Pharmacy Technician Training program. 

How is the Professional Pharmacy Technician Training Program recognized?
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Preparation class prepares you to take either of the two national certification exams: the ExCPT exam at http://www.nationaltechexam.org (offered by the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians) or the PTCB exam at http://www.ptcb.org (offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board).  Passing either exam provides nationally recognized certification.

What is the job outlook for this profession?
According to EMSI, the average hourly earnings in Michigan is $14.25 with an 18.12% expected growth rate between 2009–2016.

What types of jobs or employment opportunities are available?
Successful completion of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Preparation class will equip you with the tools necessary to pass the national certification exam.  The Community Practice Pharmacy Technician class prepares you to work as a pharmacy technician in a number of settings such as retail pharmacies, insurance companies or mail order pharmacies. With additional experience, training or schooling, you may also move to other settings such as a hospital or other roles in the healthcare industry.

Do I need to fulfill any prerequisites prior to registering for any of these classes?
This program requires that you have at least a high school diploma or equivalent and no prior drug convictions of any kind. It is highly recommended that you possess high school algebra skills including arithmetic, basic algebra, complex fractions and equations, conversions, and basic analytical concepts, have fluency in the English language, and have access to a computer with internet (for class assignments).

What if I am not sure my math skills are at a high school algebra level or above?
We have an opportunity for you to complete an arithmetic placement test to help you better understand your math aptitude. The placement test takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and is optional, not required. Print out the testing form and take to the college’s testing center.

Who are the instructors?
All of our classes are taught by industry professionals. This means every instructor will have real-life experiences to bring into the classroom. You can also rest assured that your instructor will have full background and certification checks as well. Instructors are selected by MK Education and approved by Schoolcraft College. Each instructor goes through comprehensive training and is given specific instruction on our quality standards of teaching.

Will I need to purchase any books for this program?
All books and materials are included in the class fee and will be handed out in class.

How many hours per week should students expect to spend on homework and/or reading?
Pharmacy technician training involves a multitude of pharmacy related terminology and concepts. Thus it is imperative that students spend ample time reading the required sections and completing the review questions prior to lecture and then spending time to reinforce what has been learned in class by reviewing the lecture notes, readings, and workbook or questions. General time scale is 1.5 hours of outside study for every 1 hour of lecture.

How much will it cost to take the Professional Pharmacy Technician Training Program?

• The cost for the 60-hour Community Practice Pharmacy Technician class is $800.
• The cost for the 40-hour Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Preparation class is $600.

How is your program different from the longer, more expensive Pharmacy Tech programs?
Our program’s distinctive feature lies in the partnership we have with MK Education, an industry leader in providing job training for high-demand healthcare positions. We attract students who want to be on the fast track to employment and want training that is convenient and inexpensive.

Is job placement available?
MK Education is not able to guarantee employment.  However, they make every effort to assist class graduates with job placement by offering job search assistance, including utilizing the MK Education network of employment referrals.  MK Education provides a certificate of completion for each Pharmacy Technician Training module to present to prospective employers. Additionally, the Schoolcraft Career and Transfer Center specializes in assisting students in their job search. The Career and Transfer Center is located in the McDowell Center in Room MC205 or you can call (734) 462-4421 for more information.

How do I sign up for this program?

1. Register online at http://www.schoolcraft.edu/webadvisor
2. Bring in the registration form with payment to the McDowell Center, Livonia Campus
3. Mail the registration form with payment to: Schoolcraft College – Cashier, 18600 Haggerty Road, Livonia, MI 48152

Who can I contact to find out more about this program?
For detailed program information, please contact MK Education at (877) 412-0669 or visit: http://mkedu.org. For questions relating to the registration process at Schoolcraft College, please contact the Continuing Education and Professional Development office at (734) 462-4448 or visit: http://www.schoolcraft.edu/cepd.