How to Apply

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Pharmacy technician reviewing a prescription with a patient

Class size

Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences offers two classes of the Pharmacy Technician Program each year. Each class admits 21 total students across all location options.

Location options

We offer several training sites to complete the Pharmacy Technician Program. Before you apply, review the following location options to understand what is expected of students at each location.

Rochester, Minnesota. Each class accepts up to 10 students to the Rochester campus. Students will complete all coursework online, and then come on-site to the Rochester campus for their simulated lab coursework and clinical rotations.
Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona. Each class accepts up to two students to the Phoenix/Scottsdale campus. Students will complete all coursework online, and then come on-site to the Phoenix/Scottsdale campus for their simulated lab coursework and clinical rotations.
Jacksonville, Florida. Each class accepts up to two students to the Jacksonville campus. Students will complete all coursework online, and then come on-site to the Jacksonville campus for their simulated lab coursework and clinical rotations.
Mayo Clinic Health System. Each class accepts up to seven students across the following Mayo Clinic Health System campus locations:
- Mankato, Minnesota. Students will complete all coursework online, come on-site to the Rochester campus for their simulated lab coursework (a total of eight days throughout the program), and then complete their clinical rotations on the Mankato campus.
- La Crosse, Wisconsin. Students will complete all coursework online, come on-site to the Rochester campus for their simulated lab coursework (a total of eight days throughout the program), and then complete their clinical rotations on the La Crosse campus.
- Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Students will complete all coursework online, come on-site to the Rochester campus for their simulated lab coursework (a total of eight days throughout the program), and then complete their clinical rotations on the Eau Claire campus.

Admissions requirements and policies

Prerequisites and technical standards

To be eligible for the Pharmacy Technician Program, you must:

Be a high school graduate or possess a high school equivalency certificate (GED)
Be 18 years of age or older by the program start date
Successfully pass a state and national background check
Be able to provide two references from professional sources
Be able to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status

Candidates must also successfully demonstrate these qualifications during the application process:

English language proficiency (including reading, writing, and speaking)
Math proficiency sufficient to fulfill the requirements of the pharmacy technician job responsibilities
Ability to follow written and verbal directions
Must be organized, efficient, and able to work independently and in a team setting
Ability to prioritize work in a high-volume, busy environment and pay attention to detail
Ability to comprehend the use of instruments and operate mechanical equipment
Basic computer competence and keyboarding skills

If accepted into the program, students participating in select Mayo Clinic locations will be required to obtain initial Board of Pharmacy licensure or registration if participating in one of the following states:

Verification of licensure or registration will be required before final rotation assignments are made for the final eight weeks of the program.

Technical performance standards

In addition to the listed prerequisites, the Pharmacy Technician Program requires the ability to perform the essential functions and activities as described in the technical performance standards.

Non-U.S. citizen applicants

See the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences non-U.S. citizen applicant's policy.

Application process

Each year, we offer two application windows and programs. You have the option to apply to the spring or fall program start date.

Application window	Program start date	Program end date	Apply
Jan. 1-March 15	July	December	Online application
July 1-Sept. 15	January	June	Online application

Application instructions

Complete the following steps to apply:

Create an account to begin the online Application for Admission

Select - Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
Select - Pharmacy Technician Program

Complete each section of the application and submit
After submission, view the required Supplemental Items and Documents

Upload each required item in the Supplemental Items section
Complete the Recommendation Request section

Additional required items

Personal statement should be no more than 500 words and include the following. Upload it in the Supplemental Items section.
- Discuss your reason(s) and goals for pursuing the Pharmacy Technician Program.
- Provide contact information for two professional references (supervisor, teacher, etc.)
Unofficial high school transcript, unofficial GED transcript, and/or unofficial college transcript. Official transcripts will also be accepted. Upload transcripts in the Supplemental Items section.
- Transcripts from international institutions must be in English or be accompanied by a certified English translation. All translations must be literal, complete versions of the originals and must be translated by one of the following:
  - Issuing university or college
  - Ministry of Education, consulate, or embassy
    - For Iran only: Ministry of Justice or Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  - Official translation services by one of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) members or the American Translators Association

Once the application window has concluded, the selection committee carefully reviews each application and the accompanying documentation. Applicants considered for acceptance are invited to a personal interview with the program's interview panel.