Honestly, from what I have seen working in retail in San Francisco I would say it is not worth it. Up here, the programs take at least 9 months if at a private school, and longer at community college. The private ones seem to be a huge rip-off and my manager says that he has never had a graduate from the one here in the city who has been well prepared for the job. So I would definitely not lay out $9000-$15,000 dollars on a program. Maybe the CC ones are better or cheaper, but I think that if you are already taking the pharmacy pre-reqs your best bet is just to get a job as a clerk, tell them you are interested in pharmacy school, and let them train you. I think you need to work 1500 hours and then you can apply for a tech certificate from the state. I have only been at my job since June and I am essentially a tech because I have shown them I am interested and competent. I almost never stand at the register anymore. And, if you alredy have a college degree you can get certified in CA just by filling out some forms and not taking one of those classes.
