Howard University Program

Washington, DC

University STEP 219 - 250 IMG Friendly J1

Specialty:Psychiatry

ACGME Code:4001021049

NRMP Code:2193400C0

Status:Continued Accreditation

Overview

Program Overview

The Psychiatry Residency Program at Howard University College of Medicine is designed to provide residents with a comprehensive educational experience. The program's mission emphasizes the promotion of health equity, particularly for underserved populations, nurturing a diverse group of clinicians who excel in both learning and teaching. The program is characterized by its commitment to curriculum reform, community engagement, and excellence in mental health care, advocacy, and policy.

The Department offers regular educational activities, including bi-weekly Grand Rounds featuring faculty and resident presentations, and journal clubs that review recent literature to enhance clinical practices.

Curriculum and Training

The curriculum encompasses a variety of clinical experiences across different psychiatric specialties and emphasizes both theoretical and practical components of mental health care. It incorporates a blend of clinical rotations, didactic learning, and hands-on training aimed at developing well-rounded psychiatrists who can meet the diverse needs of patients.

Rotations

Residents experience a broad range of clinical rotations throughout their training, which include:

PGY-1: Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Inpatient Psychiatry, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Emergency Psychiatry, Neurology
PGY-2: Inpatient Psychiatry, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Community Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry
PGY-3: Outpatient Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
PGY-4: Research, Elective, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, and various electives

This structured rotation system allows for both broad exposure to the field of psychiatry and deeper dives into specialized areas of interest.

Research Opportunities

Research is an integral aspect of the training program. Residents are encouraged to engage in research projects aligning with the program's mission of serving diverse communities and addressing health disparities. The faculty supports residents in exploring innovative research topics grounded in evidence-based practices.

Competitiveness and Application Process

The Psychiatry Residency Program at Howard University College of Medicine strives to cultivate a diverse cohort of residents. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis from September to December, and applicants are advised to submit their applications through the ERAS system. Special consideration is given to Howard University students and alumni, as well as to candidates who have passed USMLE Step 3 and possess clinical experience in psychiatry.

Considering its mission and competencies, the program may be seen as competitive but also friendly toward DO and international medical graduates, reflecting its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Visa Sponsorship

The Psychiatry Residency Program offers visa sponsorship for eligible candidates. Common visa types sponsored may include the J-1 and H-1B visas for international medical graduates, providing opportunities for residents from various backgrounds to train at Howard University.

Collaborations

The program has established collaborations with various esteemed institutions including Children's National Medical Center, Adventist Health Care Psychiatric Institute of Washington, Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital, and the DC Department of Behavioral Health among others. These partnerships broaden the educational atmosphere and provide additional resources for clinical exposure and research opportunities.

Current Residents

The residency houses a diverse group of residents at different stages of training, ranging from PGY-1 to PGY-4. This diversity enriches the learning environment, allowing residents to learn from each other and from the faculty while engaging in collaborative learning experiences.

Faculty Support

Howard University’s Psychiatry Residency Program benefits from a dedicated faculty committed to mentoring and supporting residents throughout their training. Faculty members employ various teaching styles to encourage discussion and critical thinking, thereby enhancing the residents' educational experience.

Web sources

1. Psychiatry Program Overview 2. Collaboration with Institutions 3. Current Residents 4. Director's Welcome 5. Faculty 6. Interview Selection Process 7. Program Overview 8. Rotations

SmartPick

Program data

ACGME History ^[3]

Accreditation Last updated: Jul 16, 2026

Initial accreditation0

Full accreditation0

Continued27

Warning0

Probationary Accreditation0

Withdrawal0

#	Academic Year	Status	Effective Date
01	2000 - 2001	Continued Full Accreditation	Oct 29, 1999
02	2001 - 2002	Continued Full Accreditation	Oct 29, 1999
03	2002 - 2003	Continued Full Accreditation	Apr 6, 2003
04	2003 - 2004	Continued Full Accreditation	Apr 6, 2003
05	2004 - 2005	Continued Full Accreditation	Apr 6, 2003
06	2005 - 2006	Continued Full Accreditation	Apr 6, 2003
07	2006 - 2007	Continued	Oct 13, 2006
08	2007 - 2008	Continued	Oct 13, 2006
09	2008 - 2009	Continued	Oct 13, 2006
10	2009 - 2010	Continued	Oct 13, 2006

Program

Program Size

4, 6, 4, 5 (4 years)^[1]

Accreditation Status

Continued Accreditation

(Effective: February 12, 2026)

Composition ^[2]

MD · 74%

DO · 5%

U.S. IMG · 11%

Non-U.S. IMG · 11%

Training

Fellowship Rate:23%^[2]

Faculty-to-Residents Ratio:0.4X^[1]

Residents Career Path ^[2]

Academic · 15%

Fellowship · 23%

Other · 62%

Quality of Life

First Year Paid Sick Leave: 13 days^[1]

First Year Paid Vacation: 18 days^[1]

First Year Salary: $63,786^[1]

First Year Maximum Consecutive Hours on Duty: 16 hours ^[1]

First Year Average Weekly Hours: 65 hours^[1]

Admission

USMLE Step 2 Score: 219–250^[2]

Visa Sponsorship:J1^[2]

YOG Cutoff:--

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Incoming Schools

* Multiple schools share the same admissions rate.

Rotation Duration by Site

Rotation Duration Chart Data

Benchmarks