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Overview

Our dynamic and practical Pharmacy Assistant program is designed to equip you with the essential skills needed in modern pharmacies. As pharmacies become increasingly central to community health, especially with an aging population, the role of the pharmacy assistant becomes more critical.

This program offers comprehensive training, broad theoretical knowledge and practical skills like preparing prescriptions, managing inventory and customer service. You will learn to be an effective team member, providing critical support to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

As a student, you will:

  • master the math required for accurate medication dispensing 
  • learn about pharmacotherapy, which is the understanding of medication uses and effects 
  • learn to handle prescriptions and patient orders efficiently 
  • acquire administrative skills crucial for pharmacy operations 
  • get hands-on experience in preparing custom medication mixtures 
  • develop strategies to maintain optimal stock levels 
  • enhance your ability to interact with customers and healthcare professionals. 

You will apply your learning in a real-world pharmacy setting during your practicum. 

By the end of this program, you will be prepared to step into a pharmacy assistant role, providing vital support to ensure the health and well-being of the community.

Whether you want to start a new career or advance in the healthcare sector, this program offers the foundation to succeed. 

Pharmacy assistants tend to be methodical, innovative and objective. 

You need:  

  • fine motor skills and manual dexterity
  • composure and the ability to regulate your emotions in stressful situations
  • a caring attitude toward others 
  • effective communication skills 
  • mental alertness while doing routine tasks 
  • attention to detail
  • the ability to type 35 words per minute accurately.

Pharmacy assistants work on their feet and perform repetitive movements with their hands, wrists and arms for prolonged periods. Some positions require extended hours and shift work, including nights and weekends.

You are strongly encouraged to refer to the ALIS website for career, learning, and employment information for pharmacy assistants to ensure you can successfully meet the occupational requirements for the program and profession.

You'll participate in a practicum during your last semester, where you'll apply your knowledge and skills in a pharmacy setting with a designated clinical partner. 

You will be assigned practicum placements with consideration given to your preference of location. However, due to limited availability in Calgary, it might be necessary for you to travel or relocate outside the city.

The healthcare field has a strong focus on health, wellness, and fitness to practice due to the demanding nature of the work and Occupational Health and Safety requirements. As such, special considerations will not be granted based on individual circumstances or preferences, except those stated as protected grounds when an accommodation has been approved.

In compliance with the practica agreements with our clinical partners, you will be required to provide specific documentation before you can participate in your practicum. Find out what requirements you need for this program.

Standard delivery intakes

The Spring semester intake (standard delivery) for this program is reserved for applicants currently residing in Edmonton and rural Alberta, who can provide proof of their home address. All practicum placements will occur within Edmonton and rural Alberta.

In this intake, you'll attend your lectures online, labs on campus, and complete a practicum placement. To accommodate those with significant distances to travel, on-campus lab days will be scheduled in groups of four to five consecutive days and occur approximately once per month.

Practicums will be arranged outside the Calgary area in collaboration with SAIT's partner pharmacies. Though the location is not guaranteed, you are encouraged to consider your ideal practicum location beforehand. There is a high demand for pharmacy assistants in Edmonton and the surrounding area.

Extended delivery intakes

There are two Winter semester intakes for this program. One is a standard delivery intake, and the other is an extended delivery intake. The extended delivery intake in the Winter semester is open to international students and is the only intake through which international students are eligible for acceptance into the program.

Upon successful completion this program, you will be awarded a SAIT Pharmacy Assistant certificate.

Download program info

Careers and opportunities

Each year, SAIT conducts a survey between February and April to determine the employment rate, salary and satisfaction of our newest SAIT alumni. 

people icon 100% graduate employment rate

salary icon $33,600 average starting salary

Find out more about our graduate employment statistics >

Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.

Associated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 32109, 32124, 33103, 33109.

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Career planning support

Unsure which career path is for you? Here are some recommended career planning resources to help you decide your future.

You can also head to Alberta alis for lots of information about careers in Alberta, including quizzes and labour market information to help you narrow down a path.

Finally, you can take our online career finder quiz, which can help narrow your options based on your current skills and interests.

Take our career finder quiz

Courses

The Pharmacy Assistant certificate requires 24 credits (10 courses) to complete.

The program spans six months (two semesters) for those enrolling in the standard delivery intakes, and 10 months (three semesters) for those enrolling in the extended delivery intakes.

Standard delivery intakes are offered in the Fall, Winter, and Spring semesters each year, while the extended delivery intake is offered in the Winter semester only.

International students are only eligible for acceptance into the extended delivery intake.

View classes by semester

Course Credits

This applied computer course provides students with critical electronic communications, data and file management skills, along with a strong focus on using common productivity applications to format, calculate, analyze, visualize, and present or report data and information.

Equivalents:
  • COMP 264
 1.5

In this course, students develop proficiency, accuracy and efficiency in the essential calculations used in pharmacies. Students review basic mathematical principles, including fractions, measurements and conversions, and apply them in pharmacy-specific situations.

3

Students will encounter complex patient scenarios and apply problem-solving and decision-making skills to determine which pharmacy services to provide. They will practise compounding and preparing compliance packaging. Students will also investigate inventory management and safety practices in a health-care setting.

Corequsites:
  • PHAR 272
 3

In this course, students will look at the roles and responsibilities of a health-care team, and study techniques for handling workplace conflict. Students will also examine assistive devices used in home care and the third-party insurance plans related to them.

1.5

In this course, students will develop the skills required to complete prescription transactions. In a lab setting, they will perform pharmacy operations related to analysis, data entry, insurance, prescription preparation and patient interaction.

Corequsites:
  • PHAR 270
 3

This course explores basic anatomy, physiology, medical conditions and medical terminology. Students will explain basic pharmacology concepts related to body systems. These concepts include the generic names, trade names, therapeutic uses, and side effects of commonly prescribed medications. In addition, students will interpret abbreviations and symbols used to write prescriptions.

3

Focusing on efficiency and accuracy in a lab setting, students will apply problem-solving and decision-making skills to prepare a variety of prescriptions. They will demonstrate proper pharmacy workflow and patient interactions through simulations and complex scenarios.

Pre-requisites:
  • PHAR 204
  • PHAR 270
  • PHAR 271
  • PHAR 272
Corequsites:
  • PHAR 275
  • PRAC 213
 1.5

In this course, students will apply pharmaceutical product knowledge to review prescriptions. They will also examine the range of pharmaceuticals that do not require a prescription and explore institutional pharmacy practice. In addition, they will analyze patient eligibility for pharmacy services.

Pre-requisites:
  • PHAR 273

Concurrent Prerequisite

  • PHAR 274
  • PRAC 213
 1.5

In practicum, students apply their knowledge, skills and attitudes in a pharmacy setting with a designated clinical partner. Students have an opportunity to interact professionally with health-care teams and patients to process prescriptions and provide patient care. Students will experience routine practices as they relate to patient and health-care practitioner safety. Reflective learning practices are also incorporated into this practicum experience.

Pre-requisites:
  • PHAR 204
  • PHAR 270
  • PHAR 271
Corequsites:
  • PHAR 274
  • PHAR 275
 3

As future health-care professionals, students need strategies for working effectively, respectfully, ethically and legally in interdisciplinary teams. In this course, they will explore decision making, ethics, team dynamics, cultural awareness, interpersonal style and communication in the health-care setting. In addition, they will review laws and regulations related to the practice of pharmacy.

Pre-requisites:
  • PHAR 270
  • PHAR 272
 3

Progression

You must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better each semester and pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program.

To qualify for graduation, you must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Review our grading and progression procedure > 

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Explore your options!

Some courses in this program are available through Open Studies. You can complete courses via Open Studies to get a head start on your education, reduce your course load once accepted into a credentialed program, or determine which career path best suits you before you fully commit. 

You may also take courses for general interest or personal and professional development.

Available Open Studies courses

Admission requirements

Applicants educated in Canada

All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and meet the following requirements or equivalents with an overall average of at least 60%:

  • Math 30-1 or Math 30-2, and
  • English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2.

SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside Alberta.

All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements outlined above with an international document assessment. Find accepted educational documents and assessment options. 

SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.

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Academic Upgrading

Missing an admission requirement for this program? Upgrade your prior education to help you receive admission into one of SAIT's career programs.

Upgrade
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English language proficiency

All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.

Learn more

Transfer agreements

At SAIT, we have created transfer agreements with partner institutions to allow you to earn course credits toward your SAIT program based on your previously completed credentials.

Transfer Alberta search tool

Use the Transfer Alberta search tool to see all transfer agreements between Alberta post-secondary institutions (including those with the University of Calgary, Mount Royal University and Bow Valley College.)

Search transfer agreements in Alberta

There are no formal transfer agreements currently in place for this program.

Transfer options for graduates

When you have completed this program, you may continue your education at a partner post-secondary institution. These transfer agreements include partnerships within and/or outside of Canada.

Available intakes

Fall 2025

Start dates:

  • Sep 02, 2025
Domestic students: Waitlisted
  • Application deadline: June 30, 2025

Winter 2026

Start dates:

Domestic students: Open
  • Application deadline: Oct. 24, 2025
Domestic students (1 year program): Open
  • Application deadline: Oct. 24, 2025
International students (1 year program): Open
  • Application deadline: Sept. 26, 2025

Spring 2026

Start dates:

  • May 04, 2026
Domestic students: Open
  • Application deadline: April 30, 2026

Costs

2025/26 tuition and fees

The following estimated costs are effective as of July 1, 2025.

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees is based on the suggested schedule of study. Following a modified schedule will impact the fees you pay per semester and may alter final costs.

Domestic students

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees for domestic students is based on the recommended course load per year.
Year Number of semesters Tuition fees Additional fees Total per year
1 2 $7,416 $1,668.60 $9,084.60
Total cost:
 $9,084.60

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees for international students is based on the extended delivery schedule.
Year Number of semesters Tuition fees Additional fees Total per year
1 3 $15,768 $2,312.90 $18,080.90
Total cost:
 $18,080.90

Books and supplies are approximately $500 per full-time year.

This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page. Your device must be portable. An Android laptop or tablet is needed as the software used in this program is not compatible with Apple products. Phones are not suitable alternatives.

Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. Booklists are created by semester and available approximately two weeks before classes begin.

Required personal protective equipment (PPE)

You are required to wear scrubs to your labs. Scrubs must be cleaned and pressed.

Additional fees

  • A fee is associated with obtaining a police information check, including a vulnerable sector check, payable to the police or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
  • A fee of approximately $50 to $100 is associated with an electronic student permit checking submission required for clinical practicum placements, payable to Synergy Gateway through the Verified software platform.
  • You are responsible for additional expenses related to your practicum, including pre-practicum requirements and relocation costs to practicum sites outside of Calgary.
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Financial aid

Paying for your education may feel overwhelming, but we have resources and programs that can help, including information about payment options, student loans, grants and scholarships.

Learn more
Alberta Job Grant

This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.

Application process

Ready to apply?

Follow our step-by-step guide to submitting a successful application.

Learn how to apply

Communication during admission

Email is the primary source of communication during the admission process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. 

We recommend you add hps.info@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages. 

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Begin your application

Apply now using the online application portal. 

Ensure you have a valid Visa or Mastercard to pay the non-refundable application fee of $120 for domestic applicants.

Apply now

Information sessions

Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.

Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:

  • What sets SAIT apart
  • An introduction to the program and area of study
  • Admission requirements
  • Future career paths
  • Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.

Contact us

School of Health and Public Safety Advising

hps.info@sait.ca
a view of the moutains and stream in between

Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.

SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.

We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.

Visit Natoysopoyiis Resource Centre