Learning Pathways & Curriculum

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine has been a leader in medical education innovation by developing student-centered learning pathways. LECOM recognizes that students learn in different ways and the college became the only medical school in the country to offer students multiple learning pathways that match the learning styles of its students.

Medical students choose from five pathways, including two three-year programs for primary care medicine and for physician assistants who want to become doctors. The LECOM School of Pharmacy also offers students a choice of two pathways: either a three-year, fast-track curriculum in Erie or a traditional four-year program in Bradenton. The School of Dental Medicine is a full-time, four year curriculum. For a detailed description of the curriculum for each pathway, select the articles on the right.

Lecture-Discussion
Some medical students need a structured environment so they learn best in a classroom listening to a professor’s lecture. For those students, LECOM Erie offers a lecture-discussion learning pathway. The traditional core curriculum follows a systems approach to learning the healing science of medicine.

Problem-Based Learning
Other students may learn more effectively if they encounter knowledge in an applied context by studying patient cases. In the Problem Based Learning Pathway, teams of eight medical students, guided by a faculty facilitator, study the core medical sciences and body systems by investigating the medical problems presented by each patient case, reaching a diagnosis and developing a course of action for treatment. PBL is available at LECOM Erie, and exclusively at LECOM Bradenton and LECOM at Seton Hill.

Independent Study
The LECOM Erie Independent Study Pathway is structured for learners with significant science backgrounds who want to minimize the time spent in lecture. ISP offers students the opportunity to read and study on their own and in small groups. "Directed study" modules are used by students to lead them through the basic sciences and clinical information. Many of these students have advanced college degrees and all are highly motivated and self-directed.

Faculty facilitators work with our Problem-Based Learning and Independent Study students, monitoring their progress through the curriculum.

Three Years to a Primary Care or Family Physician Degree
LECOM Erie Primary Care Scholars Pathway (PCSP) condenses four years of medical education into three years in order to graduate Primary Care doctors sooner. The PCSP eliminates some of the barriers that discourage medical students from pursuing careers in family medicine and the other primary care specialties.

Based on LECOM’s experience developing its unique Problem-Based Learning and Independent Study Pathways, the curriculum uses the Independent Study learning modules as a guide for this new curriculum. PCSP students will follow a year-round curriculum so that they complete the basic science and clinical courses by March of the second year. PCSP students immediately will begin core clinical rotations at carefully selected hospitals and physician offices.

Accelerated Physician Assistant Pathway (APAP)
The Accelerated Physician Assistant Pathway (APAP) is designed to allow Certified Physician Assistants (PA-Cs) to obtain the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree in three years, reducing the cost and the time it takes to become a physician. Students will enroll in one of the three LECOM learning pathways (LDP, PBL or ISP) based on the individual’s learning style. APAP recognizes the clinical experience the student acquired as a PA and allows for acceleration of their training in medical school.

Follow a Unique Curriculum to the Dental Medicine Degree
Students enrolling in the School of Dental Medicine will start their training alongside osteopathic medicine students in PBL classes. The curriculum will incorporate early clinic training in dentist offices, as well as training in the on campus dental clinic and laboratories. Clinical experience continues in the third in fourth years at community dental clinics in Bradenton, Erie and other underserved communities.

Complete a Pharmacy Degree in Three or Four Years
LECOM pharmacy students choose between a year-round, three-year Doctor of Pharmacy pathway in Erie or a traditional four-year pathway in Bradenton. Students entering undergraduate programs at LECOM affiliated colleges and universities can complete school of pharmacy entrance requirements in two years.

Become a Better Clinical Educator
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine designed a new Master Degree program for physician and clinical educators. The Master of Science in Medical Education courses will impart the knowledge, skills and attitudes incumbent in effective teaching, administration and leadership to those who desire advanced education in medical education. The MS in Medical Education program is open to graduates with D.O., M.D. or Pharm.D. degrees.