What I Ask Every Student Who Can’t Decide Between Pathways

Tuesday, 23 June 2026

By Dr. Elizabeth Brito, Assistant Dean, LECOM School of Pharmacy - Bradenton

Key Takeaways

• LECOM offers three distinct pharmacy pathways: accelerated (3-year), traditional 4-year in Bradenton, and distance education
• The right pathway depends entirely on how you learn best, not which one sounds most rigorous
• In-person learners tend to thrive in the traditional Bradenton pathway with live instruction and immediate professor access
• Distance learners succeed when they are self-driven, organized, and comfortable absorbing complex material from video
• Every pathway leads to the same Doctor of Pharmacy degree and the same NAPLEX licensure exam

So one of the questions I get asked most often is: which pathway should I choose? Honestly, there is not one right answer, and that is exactly what makes LECOM's pharmacy program unique. We built three pathways because we recognize that people learn differently, and the right choice depends on how you have been successful in the past.

I use myself as an example a lot when I talk to applicants. I am the kind of learner who needs to be in the room, the kind who likes to write things down, process information in real time, raise my hand, and visit office hours. The in-person classroom is genuinely where I absorb complex material best. The Bradenton traditional pathway is built for students like me: a live instructor in front of you, structure in your schedule, and the ability to stop a professor mid-lecture and ask a question.

But I have worked with plenty of students who are exactly the opposite. They go home, watch a video, rewind it, go at their own pace, and that is actually where they retain information better. Younger generations especially tend to be comfortable learning this way, having grown up with video as a primary medium. For those students, the distance education pathway is not a compromise at all. It is genuinely the better fit.

Then there is the accelerated pathway, which is very similar to Bradenton in terms of in-person structure but with no summer vacation. You finish in three years instead of four, so if you are someone who is motivated, ready to work through the breaks, and wants to enter the workforce as fast as possible, that is a real and worthwhile option to consider.

What I tell every undecided student is this: think about how you have learned well in the past. Did you go home and study on your own and do great? Or did you do your best work in a classroom with an instructor right there? That answer almost always points you in the right direction. And no matter which pathway you choose, you will graduate with the same Doctor of Pharmacy degree and sit for the same NAPLEX licensure exam. The pathway is about how you get there. The destination is the same.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between LECOM's three pharmacy pathways?

LECOM offers an accelerated 3-year pathway, a traditional 4-year in-person pathway in Bradenton, and a distance education pathway. Each has its own schedule and format, but all three lead to the same Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.

Q: How do I know if the distance education pharmacy program is right for me?

The distance education pathway works best for students who are self-driven, comfortable learning from recorded video lectures, and able to build and stick to their own study schedule. If you have done well learning independently in the past, it is likely a strong fit.

Q: Is the LECOM distance pharmacy degree as rigorous as the in-person program?

Yes. The coursework, faculty, and licensure exam preparation are equivalent across all pathways. Distance students also complete required on-campus visits for hands-on training and sit for the same NAPLEX licensure exam as in-person students.

Q: Can I work while enrolled in the traditional 4-year pharmacy pathway at LECOM?

LECOM does not recommend working heavily during pharmacy school, but students in the traditional pathway do have schedule flexibility outside of class and lab hours. The school works to group class times logically so students can plan around their schedules.

Q: What background do I need to apply to LECOM's School of Pharmacy?

LECOM looks for academically prepared students with a strong foundation in the sciences. Prospective students should review specific prerequisite and GPA requirements on LECOM's official admissions page, as requirements may vary by pathway.