There are two lists on this page. The first list provides the requirements that must be met for admission into the On-Campus program. Following that is another list of additional requirements that must be met for admission to the Blended Learning program. All requirements must be met in order to be admitted to the program.

Click <here> to download a pdf copy of the complete program information packet including all forms needed for admission.

To apply to the program, do the following:

1. Submit a completed and signed Application Form (mail, fax or email) along with your $100 application fee. The application form is attached. Note that there are different application forms for the On-Campus and Blended Learning programs. The application fee can be paid by cheque, cash or credit card, and is non-refundable.
   
2. Have a phone or in-person interview with the school to discuss the program, the career, and the admission requirements. Preferably in person, but this interview can be conducted by phone if you do not live in the Kamloops area.

Space is limited, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. Your priority for entrance to the program is based on the date we receive your application form and fee. Once your admission application is received, we will contact you for a personal interview. You DO NOT need to provide documentation about the other requirements below until you have had this interview.

Admission Requirements for On-Campus Programs:

•  An interview with the college to discuss the program, the career and the admission requirements. Preferably in person, but this interview can be conducted by phone if you do not live in the Kamloops area.

•  High School Graduation - You have to be a high school graduate in order to enroll in this program. Please submit a transcript (copy is fine, original not required).

• If you have GED you can be admitted, but you have to take our Math and English Accuplacer exams to ensure sufficient command of those two areas for admission. If you are being admitted based on a GED, you must be at least 19 years old.

•  You need to have English 12 and Math 11 with a minimum 65% grade from a Canadian high school:

• If you did not complete grade 11 Math with a 65%, you must take Accuplacer Math skills tests.
• If you did not complete grade 12 English with a 65%, you must take Accuplacer English skills tests.

•  Completion of Biology 12 or an equivalent Human Biology course, or you need to complete an online Human Biology course through our college.

•  Fluent in Written and Spoken English - If English is not your first language, and you did not take all of your high school (grades 10 through 12) at an English Canadian high school, you will need to provide proof of English fluency through one of the standard ESL tests as defined by NAPRA (click here to see the NAPRA English Fluency standards).

•  18 before practicum begins - Field experience begins 6 months after the program starts. You must be 18 before you can work in a pharmacy.

•  Two references - We will need reference letters (or emails) from two people who verify your ability to successfully complete this program and to work as a Pharmacy Technician. You will be asked to provide the references after your admission interview with Thompson Career College. These references will typically be employers, co-workers, teachers, counselors, pharmacists, or pharmacy technicians.

•  The physical and mental ability to work as a Pharmacy Technician - A performance ability statement form must be completed, signed and submitted to the college.  Applicants must have acceptable levels of manual dexterity, hand strength and the ability to work while standing and walking for long periods.  Severe latex allergies are a problem.

•  No criminal record that will prevent you from working in a pharmacy - A current criminal record check must be completed and filed with Thompson Career College. We provide a letter of introduction that you can take to your local police agency, where you will sign a consent form and have the completed record check sent to Thompson Career College.

•  Typing speed of 35 net words per minute - Take the online typing test (click Here) provided by TypingTest.com, print the result and send it to us. We recommend "Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing" as an effective typing tutor program if you need to improve your typing speed.

Additional Blended Learning Admission Requirements:

The Blended Learning Program has additional admission requirements. Distance learning is not for everyone, so these requirements ensure that people entering this program are likely to succeed in the distance learning component of the program.

Successful distance learners must:

• Have a proven history of successful learning experiences, either in an academic or a work environment,
• Be able to learn from reading text material and through written communication with instructors, without the in-person verbal lectures and immediate verbal question and answer feedback available in an on-campus program,
• Have a quiet, private location to work on the program with all the necessary computer technology and internet access,
• Be competent users of personal computers, email, word processing, web-based technology, and keyboarding,
• Have a personal schedule that provides the uninterrupted, pre-scheduled time needed to work on the program each week, and
• Have the self-discipline necessary to stick to a personal study schedule without direct daily supervision from an instructor.

The specific additional requirements that must be met for admission to the Blended Learning program are:

•  Appropriate Schedule and Personal Circumstances - You need to dedicate 31 hours per week of uninterrupted time to class activities during the home study portion of the program (21 hours if you are in the reduced workload option), and you need additional time available for reading and studying. If you have children at home, arrangements must be made for their care while you are in class or studying. You may not work more than 20 hours per week on another job on average throughout the program. You must be able to come to Kamloops for the six weeks of onsite learning, commit to 8 weeks of full time practicums / clinical placements, and travel if necessary during the 4 week hospital clinical placement.

•  Appropriate study area, computer, internet access and computer skills - You must have the equipment, study location, internet access and computer skills that are required for successful online learning.

•  Ability to Learn Effectively in a Distance Learning Environment - Successful distance learners should have a proven history of successful learning experiences, either in an academic or a work environment. You must be able to learn from reading text material, and through written communication with instructors. You also must have the self-discipline necessary to stick to a personal study schedule without direct daily supervision from an instructor.