According to CollegeDegree.com, there are distance-learning pharmaceutical programs at all educational levels. A bachelor's degree in pharmacy qualifies holders to work as pharmacy technicians---people responsible for stocking supplies and filling prescriptions---provided they receive certification. A master's degree in pharmaceutical studies allows graduates to oversee a pharmacy and includes some customer service, such as giving patients advice about their prescriptions. There are also Ph.D. programs for advanced studies. Typical topics covered in pharmaceutical school are drug identification, mathematics, biology and chemistry.
A distance-learning pharmaceutical school can save you time and money. Commuting, supplies and even book costs are reduced with online education. Students can complete coursework on their own schedule, which makes distance learning a better choice for people raising young children or living in remote areas.
While the fees, tuition and application process vary at different schools---from a few hundred dollars per credit hour at an online-only school to $50,000 or more for a master's degree from a top-name university---there are some commonalities. Advanced degree programs require you to have some familiarity with the subject, and may have required prerequisite classes. You should be able to complete these prerequisites at a local community college or online.
Pharmacy distance-learning programs have traditionally targeted people who have a Bachelor of Arts degree and want to get an advanced pharmacy degree. According to the ACPE, programs are shifting to target incoming college students, expanding the available options for those interested in becoming pharmacists.
Distance-learning pharmacy classes may consist of video streams of live or recorded classes, or PDF files of lessons and discussion questions. Most online classes have class discussion boards where students can interact and get questions answered by faculty members. Coursework is typically submitted to instructors via email.
Distance-learning programs may not be the best choice for everyone, as they require a high degree of independence and self-motivation. Distance learning also does not offer students face time with other people, which would prepare them for the social interactions they expect to face on the job. Some programs, however, blend distance and in-class learning for students cautious about studying solely online.