CVS Health and Millcreek, Utah-based Western Governors University have launched an online pre-pharmacy degree program designed to help address pharmacist workforce shortages nationwide.
The fully online “Associate of Science-Health Science, Pre-Pharmacy” degree program is designed to help CVS employees complete academic prerequisites for Doctor of Pharmacy degree programs at a lower cost, according to a May 14 CVS news release.
CVS Health employees enrolled in the program may apply for support through the company’s Enterprise Tuition Assistance Program, which offers up to $3,000 in tuition reimbursement per year throughout the two-year program. The program carries an exclusive tuition rate of $3,989 per six-month term, with participants eligible to complete the program with an out-of-pocket cost of $9,956 when receiving the maximum reimbursement amount.
The 26-course program is especially geared toward CVS Health employees, including pharmacy technicians, seeking a pathway to become pharmacists. A CVS Health 2025 Rx Report found that 40% of surveyed pharmacy technicians were interested in becoming pharmacists, while 77% said tuition assistance would increase the likelihood they would pursue the career path.
Courses are expected to launch in summer 2026.
