Degrees & Certifications:

Behavioral health challenges, including substance use disorders and mental illness, impact communities all across Ohio, making pharmacy professionals essential. These professionals promote medication adherence for patients with chronic mental health conditions, educate patients and caregivers on psychotropic medication use and side effects, support integrated care teams in behavioral health facilities (including hospitals, outpatient centers, and recovery programs), and help address the opioid crisis by managing prescriptions, monitoring controlled substances, and providing access to naloxone. 

Pharmacy

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DEGREES & CERTIFICATIONS

    • Description: Pharmacy Technician Training Programs prepare individuals for Pharmacy Technician roles. These programs are available through community colleges, vocational schools, and some employers. The training typically includes both classroom instruction and practical experience. The programs may be accredited by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), ASHP/ACPE, and/or ABHES. PTCB maintains a list of approved training programs. 

    • Program Duration: 4-12 months (full-time). Evening, weekend, online, or part-time classes are available at some programs to support working adults.  Alternatively, candidates may choose a 2-year Associate’s Degree program. 

    • Prerequisites: High School Diploma or GED. Background check may be required. 

    • Certification & Licensure: Professionals must register with the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). Continuing education is also required for recertification every two years. Certification for this profession typically requires passing one of two national exams, the PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) or the ExCPT (Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians).

    • Description: Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) is a professional doctoral degree that prepares individuals to become licensed pharmacists. The first 2 years of a PharmD program, called the Pre Professional Phase, focuses on liberal arts, communications, and basic sciences. The subsequent 4 years, called the Professional Phase, focuses on pharmaceutical science and pharmacy practice. The curriculum includes topics such as pharmacology, drug therapy, patient care, and healthcare systems. Please note that a Ph.D. in Pharmacy is not equivalent to a PharmD. 

    • Program Duration: 6 years, including 2 in the Preprofessional Phase and 4 in the Professional Phase. Almost all programs require full-time enrollment due to the rigorous academic and clinical demands of the program. 

    • Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree, completion of required pre-pharmacy coursework, and the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) are usually required. Healthcare-related experiences and competitive GPA, may be required.

    • Certification & Licensure: Upon graduation, candidates must pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE), which is tailored to Ohio law. Licenses are granted by the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy, and individuals must complete continuing pharmacy education to maintain licensure.

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WHERE TO STUDY IN OHIO

Some public universities also have regional campuses that are comparable to community colleges in programs, costs, and access.

  • The following are considered approved training programs:

    1. A pharmacy technician training program that holds a current accreditation* from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. (Ohio Accredited programs)

    2. A program of training for pharmaceutical technicians conducted by a branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, the Indian Health Service of the United States Department of Health and Human Services or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

    3. An employer-based training program that meets the requirements of the rule.

    4. A pharmacy technician training program offered by an Ohio public high school as part of a career-technical education program approved by the Ohio Department of Education pursuant to section 3317.161 of the Revised Code. 

    5. The completion of a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program if the applicantʼs graduation date is within five (5) years of an application for registration.

    6. Held an active pharmacist or pharmacy intern license or registration in good standing in another state or jurisdiction for at least one year within five (5) years of an application for registration.

NON-COLLEGE TRAINING PROGRAMS

  • Cleveland Clinic

    • Location: Cleveland, OH

    • Program Offered: Pharmacy Technician

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Cleveland Job Corps

    • Location: Cleveland, OH

    • Program Offered: Pharmacy Technician

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Lakewood University

    • Location: Cleveland Heights, OH

    • Program Offered: Pharmacy Technician

    • Delivery Format: Online

    Stark State College

    • Location: North Canton, OH

    • Programs Offered: AS with Pre-Medical Pharmacy Concentration

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    • Partnership: Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) - Students who complete all pre-requisite course work at Stark State can directly apply to NEOMED's College of Pharmacy at NEOMED. No bachelor’s degree needed.

    University Hospitals

    • Location: Cleveland, OH

    • Program Offered: Pharmacy Technician

    • Delivery Format: In Person

  • Ross Medical

  • Columbus State Community College

    • Location: Columbus and Delaware, OH

    • Programs Offered: Pharmacy Technician Certificate

    • Delivery Format: Hybrid

  • None

  • Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

    • Location: Cincinnati, OH

    • Programs Offered: Pharmacy Technician

    • Delivery Format: Online

    Sinclair Community College

    • Location: Dayton, OH

    • Programs Offered: Pharmacy Technician

    • Delivery Format: Online

COMMUNITY & SPECIALIZED COLLEGES

  • Ashland University

    Baldwin Wallace University

    • Location: Berea, OH

    • Programs Offered: Pre-Pharmacy

    • Delivery Format: In person

    • Partnerships: Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Pharmacy (NEOUCOP) - The pre-pharmacy program includes three years of coursework at BW and additional studies at NEOUCOP. Students receive their BW degree upon successful completion of their first year at NEOUCOP.

    Cleveland State University

    • Location: Cleveland, OH

    • Programs Offered:Pharmacy Technician,Pre-Pharmacy,BS in Pharmaceutical Science

    • Delivery Format: In person and Online (Pharmacy Tech)

    • Partnerships: ‌

      • Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) – NEOMED admits 75 students into the PharmD program each Fall, with up to 15 of the 75 seats reserved for qualified CSU students.

      • Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) – LECOM’s Early Acceptance Program (EAP) allows qualified students to be given a provisional letter of acceptance (i.e., a reserved seat), based on completion of a successful interview. Students can apply as early as their senior year of high school and up until the start of their third year at CSU.

    Franciscan University of Steubenville

    • Location: Steubenville, OH

    • Programs Offered: Doctor of Pharmacy pathway

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    • Partnerships:

      • 2+4 Program – Students earn an AA in General Studies from Franciscan University, then qualify to receive preferential consideration for acceptance into the PharmD program at Duquesne University.

      • 3+4 Program – Students earn a BS in Biology or Chemistry from Franciscan and a PharmD from Duquesne University or D’Youville University. Students also may qualify to receive preferential consideration for acceptance into either professional school.

    Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)

    • Location: Rootstown, OH

    • Programs Offered: PharmD

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    University of Akron

    • Location: Akron, OH

    • Programs Offered:BS in Biochemistry Pre-Pharmacy Program,PharmD/MBA

    • Delivery Format: In person

    • Partnerships: Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) – PharmD students of NEOMED who wish to attain an MBA are eligible for articulated course credits at Akron.

    University of Mount Union

    • Location: Alliance, OH

    • Programs Offered: 3+4 BS/PharmD

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    • Partnership: Northeast Ohio Medical University College (NEOUCOP) – Students earn a BS in Biology or Biochemistry from Mount Union and a PharmD from NEOUCOP. Students receive their Mount Union degree upon successful completion of their first year at NEOUCOP.

    Ursuline College

    • Location: Pepper Pike, OH

    • Programs Offered:3+4 Accelerated BA + Pharm.D.

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    • Partnerships: Duquesne University - In the 3+4 accelerated PharmD program, students spend three years at Ursuline majoring in chemistry before moving to Duquesne for an additional four years. The first year of pharmacy school fulfills the requirements for a BS from Ursuline, while the combined four fulfill the requirements for the Pharm.D. from Duquesne's program.

  • Bowling Green State University

    • Location: Bowling Green, OH

    • Programs Offered: Pre-Pharmacy (see web page for three options)

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    • Partnership: University of Findlay - Students who are admitted to the Pharmacy Early Assurance Partnership program earn a BS in Applied Health from BGSU and a PharmD from University of Findlay in six years.

    Heidelberg University

    • Location: Tiffin, OH

    • Programs Offered: Pre-Pharmacy - BS or BA in a related major

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Ohio Northern University

    • Location: Ada, OH

    • Programs Offered: 0-6 Direct Entry PharmD Program, 4-Year PharmD Option, BS in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Dual Degree Programs (PharmD/MBA, PharmD/MS in Health Care Data, PharmD/MS in Clinical Leadership)

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    • Partnerships: Clarkson University – Dual degree programs are offered in partnership with Clarkson University. Students will be full-time at ONU and part-time at Clarkson.

    University of Findlay

    • Location: Findlay, OH

    • Programs Offered: PharmD

    • Delivery Format: In Person or online

    • Partnership: Bowling Green State University – Students who are admitted to the Pharmacy Early Assurance Partnership program earn a BS in Applied Health from BGSU and a PharmD from University of Findlay in six years.

    University of Toledo

    • Location: Toledo, OH

    • Programs Offered: PharmD

    • Delivery Format: In person

  • Cedarville University

    • Location: Cedarville, OH

    • Programs Offered: BSPS in Prepharmacy

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Mount Vernon Nazarene University

    • Location: Mount Vernon, OH

    • Programs Offered: BS in Biology/Pre-Pharmacy Concentration

    • Delivery Format: In person

    Ohio Northern University

    • Location: Ada, OH

    • Programs Offered: 0-6 Direct Entry PharmD Program, 4-Year PharmD Option, BS in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Dual Degree Programs (PharmD/MBA, PharmD/MS in Health Care Data, PharmD/MS in Clinical Leadership)

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    • Partnerships: Clarkson University – Dual degree programs are offered in partnership with Clarkson University. Students will be full-time at ONU and part-time at Clarkson.

    The Ohio State University

    • Location: Columbus, OH

    • Programs Offered: BS in Pharmaceutical Science, combined BS in Pharmaceutical Science/PharmD degree, MS in Translational Pharmacology, MS in Health-System Pharmacy Administration & Leadership, PhD, PharmD, combined PharmD degrees (PharmD/MS in Translational Pharmacology, PharmD/MBA, PharmD/PhD)

    • Delivery Format: In person

  • Muskingham University

    • Location: New Concord, OH

    • Programs Offered: Pre-Pharmacy (bachelor's degree earned in student-chosen major), 3+1 Chemistry Pathway for Pre-Pharmacy Students

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Shawnee State University

    • Location: Portsmouth, OH

    • Programs Offered: BS in Chemistry/Pre-Pharmacy Track

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    • Partnership: Marshall University School of Pharmacy - Qualifying students will receive preferential interview status.

  • Cedarville University

    Mount St. Joseph University

    University of Cincinnati

UNIVERSITIES & OTHER COLLEGES

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. If you notice any errors or outdated information, please contact accounts@mhaadvocacy.org so we can make the necessary corrections.