Pharmacy Technician and Sterile Processing Programs: Scheduled vs. Self-Paced Learning with Penn Foster
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If you’ve decided you want to enter the medical field as either a sterile processing technician or a pharmacy technician, your next step may be to decide how you’ll get your training. Online training programs are a great way to gain the knowledge you need for these roles if you prefer to work online or need more convenience when pursuing your education. Penn Foster has self-paced programs for both areas that can fit into a busy life. If you have a deadline in mind to complete your training but need some help staying on track, we’ve got you covered. For the first time ever, we’re offering a scheduled, guided learning option for these two programs so you get your work done on time. These programs are called cohort-based learning.
Key takeaways
- Scheduled, cohort-based learning provides a specific start date, weekly deadlines, live instructor sessions, dedicated mentor support, and career coaching.
- Self-paced learning offers greater flexibility, allowing students to begin when they are ready and organize their studies around work and personal responsibilities.
- Both formats are available online for Pharmacy Technician and Sterile Processing Technician training. Penn Foster partners with Springboard to provide synchronous learning. Self-paced training programs are available through Penn Foster.
What is cohort-based learning?
Our new cohort-based learning programs allow students to apply for a limited spot in one of the two currently-offered programs for a fixed start date. These programs are more team-centered than our self-paced programs, which require independent study. We’ve partnered with Springboard to bring this option to students who need more structure in their online learning.
Students accepted into these programs will have a weekly schedule for their coursework, which may work better for those who prefer structure in their studies. Cohort-based programs feature dedicated mentorship to help you stay on track, and career coaches there to help you find employment in the field after you complete your program.
Our current cohort-based learning programs are for Pharmacy Technician and Sterile Processing Technician, two great healthcare roles.
Read more: 78,000 Learners Completed Penn Foster Programs Last Year. Here's Where They Are Now
What do the milestones look like?
To start, there’s a fit assessment. Once that is completed, if you are admitted to the program, you will begin coursework on the assigned start date. From there, you’ll have weekly lessons and assignments and attend scheduled live instructor sessions. This is what working through the cohort-based learning programs will look like until you complete all the program requirements. Towards the end of the program, you’ll have access to career coaching that can be helpful while you prepare to start job searching.
Read more: Sterile Processing Program Options for Career Changers 2026
How does self-paced learning work?
Most of Penn Foster’s programs are self-paced, including versions of the sterile processing and pharmacy technician programs. In self-paced learning, there are no due dates for exams, so students can take the time they need to thoroughly study their material before taking an exam. There is no designated start date or set study schedule, but students are always welcome to create their own.
It’s important to be aware that self-paced learning doesn’t equate to an unlimited amount of time to complete. There are program timeline limits for every program, but there is more flexibility in a self-paced program than a cohort-based learning program. If you’re someone who is trying to get their training while also working full time and caregiving for family members, a self-paced training program might be the better option.
Scheduled vs. self-paced learning at Penn Foster
| Consideration | Cohort-based learning | Self-paced learning |
|---|---|---|
| Start date | Students apply for a specific cohort start date. | Students can begin when they are ready. |
| Pacing | Coursework follows a defined weekly schedule. | Students set their own study pace within program requirements. |
| Live instruction | Includes scheduled live sessions led by instructors. | Depending on the program, office hours or webinars may be available. |
| Weekly commitment | Requires regular weekly participation and assignment completion. | Weekly time can vary based on the student’s schedule. |
| Application | Requires an application and fit assessment. Application does not guarantee acceptance. | Follow the standard enrollment process. No assessment is necessary. |
| Mentor support | Includes a dedicated mentor throughout the program. | Not currently mentor-supported. |
| Career support | Career coaching is available during job search preparation. | Career coaching is not currently available. |
What does the added cohort tuition include?
The tuition for these new cohort programs is considerably more than the self-paced options, but there are several benefits included in these programs that our self-paced programs do not offer. These benefits include:
- A dedicated mentor
- Weekly live sessions with an instructor
- Scheduled learning to help keep you on track
- Career coaching at the end of the program
Both cohort programs currently cost around $3,000, though pricing is subject to change. Our self-paced programs’ tuition prices vary, so it’s best to check the particular program page of the program you’re interested in.
How to choose the right learning format
Both options have their benefits. The question is which one benefits you and your circumstances. If you have the capacity to start your program on a specific date, dedicate enough time each week to be able to meet your deadlines, and need guided support a dedicated mentor can provide, the cohort learning model might be best for you. If you have a lot of responsibilities in your life and can only dedicate a little bit of time to your studies each week, require flexibility, and work best independently, the self-paced option may work well for your circumstances.
Read more: Sterile Processing Technician Training: Online or Onsite?
Pharmacy technician program considerations
Both versions of the pharmacy technician program require an externship, so if becoming a pharm tech is what you want, either option will get you hands-on experience. The main difference comes from the program structure. In the cohort-based pharm tech program, there are weekly due dates. The self-paced pharm tech program has no due dates for exams, so students can work on their program when they have time. The cohort version takes about 30 weeks, not including the externship, while the self-paced version’s timeframe can vary.
Both programs can prepare you for certification, though it is never guaranteed that you’ll pass a certification exam just because you’ve completed a training program. The cohort-based program is also provided in conjunction with Springboard, including instructional support, which is not the case with the self-paced program.
Read more: Skills Every Pharmacy Technician Should Have
Sterile Processing program considerations
Similar to pharmacy technician, the biggest difference between the cohort sterile processing program and the self-paced version is the structure. There are no due dates in the self-paced version of the program, while the cohort version has weekly deadlines. The cohort program takes around 18 weeks to complete and the self-paced program’s timeframe, like the pharm tech program, can vary. Both programs can prepare students for certification as well, but certification is never guaranteed as a result of either program. The cohort program is delivered by both Penn Foster and Springboard, with Springboard providing instructional support.
Read more: Sterile Processing Technician Program: Finish in Under 9 Months
Frequently asked questions
Here are some questions you may ask about these programs:
Is scheduled learning better than self-paced learning?
Neither format is better overall. Scheduled learning provides a defined pace and planned live sessions. Self-paced learning offers more flexibility around when students begin and how they organize their coursework. The better option depends on what the student needs out of the program.
What is Springboard’s role in the scheduled program?
Penn Foster partners with Springboard to provide these cohort-based learning options to our students. The instructional and mentor support is provided by Springboard for these two programs.
Do both formats lead to the same credential?
Both formats prepare students to take the same certification exams. Certification is never guaranteed, however.
Read more: Think You're Too Busy (or Too Broke) to Go Back to School? Read This First
Conclusion and call to action
When it comes to your education and future career, you have to make the best decision for you. Scheduled, cohort-based learning could be a great option if you need a lot of support as you work through your program and prefer a set schedule. Self-paced learning might work better if you need more flexibility and have more self-discipline to keep yourself on track. Request more information about Penn Foster’s self-paced healthcare programs. If the cohort-based learning programs feel like the right fit for you, see more about the pharmacy technician program here and the sterile processing program here.
