The Pharmacy Technician program at Apollo College provides the technical and practical training to allow the graduate to work as an assistant to a licensed pharmacist in both retail and hospital settings. The program provides the student with extensive knowledge in pharmaceutical and medical terminology, abbreviations and symbols used in prescribing, dispensing and charting of medications and a working knowledge of drug trade and generic names as well as strengths, dosages, dosage forms and routes of administration. Administrative skills and law and ethics are also emphasized. Reading comprehension, pharmacy mathematics, use of the calculator, and good verbal and written communication skills are functionally taught throughout the course. Upon completion of all classroom instruction and practical training, students perform learned skills during a 260-hour externship in a hospital, retail pharmacy, or pharmaceutical distributor.