University of Colorado Program

Residents entering the psychiatry training program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus engage in a dynamic and rapidly evolving field. The program builds on a solid tradition of psychotherapy, cultural competence, and community engagement while integrating modern developments in genomics and neurobiology. Faculty members embody a commitment to education, ensuring that residents are equipped with the latest scientific evidence and treatment models to effectively manage mental health disorders.1

The program presents diverse clinical experiences across various training sites, including the University of Colorado Hospital, Denver Health Medical Center, the Denver Veterans Administration Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital Colorado. This multi-faceted training ensures residents have access to a wide range of clinical conditions and treatment modalities, fostering both personal and professional growth in psychiatry.1

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is structured across four years, each designed to maturity and depth of knowledge relevant to psychiatry. The PGY-1 year focuses on establishing a solid foundation by enhancing core medical skills and understanding various facets of mental health care. For those interested in child psychiatry, a Child Interest Track allows substitutions in core rotations.4

In the PGY-2 year, the curriculum emphasizes advanced complex diagnoses, psychopharmacological skills, and consultation-liaison psychiatry, alongside opportunities for electives to explore specialized areas further.5

Residents in the PGY-3 year are trained in outpatient settings, developing therapeutic skills across various modalities including cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. Each resident also participates in quality improvement and safety projects.6

The PGY-4 year serves as a capstone experience where residents synthesize previous training, often taking on leadership roles as chief residents, and engage in individualized clinical or research interests.6

Research and Clinical Training Tracks

The program offers a specialized Pathways Resident Research Track, tailored for residents with a significant background in research who aim to integrate significant scholarly work into their training. Residents in this track will typically engage in research aimed at securing NIH funding or pursuing post-doctoral fellowships after completion.3

All residents, regardless of their track, are required to develop a scholarly project in collaboration with a faculty mentor during their PGY-2 year. This ensures that every resident is actively contributing to the advancement of psychiatric knowledge.3

Training Locations

The University of Colorado offers diverse rotation sites, each renowned for its commitment to mental health education and exemplary patient care. The University of Colorado Hospital functions as a tertiary care facility with a strong patient-centered approach, while Denver Health Medical Center serves as an urban trauma center.6

The Rocky Mountain Region’s Veterans Administration Medical Center provides a wealth of services to veterans, ensuring that residents gain experience with the unique mental health needs of this population.6

At Children’s Hospital Colorado, residents will engage with pediatric populations, gaining valuable insights into child and adolescent mental health.6

Visa Support and Requirements

The program is open to graduates of U.S. and Canadian medical schools as well as international medical graduates, provided they meet the necessary legal training requirements. Visa sponsorship is offered for J-1 visas for international medical graduates.2

Competitiveness and Application Process

The psychiatry residency is competitive, with approximately 1,300 applications for 15 PGY-1 positions. Applicants are evaluated not just on academic credentials but also on their personal qualities, clinical experiences, and communication skills. There are no minimum score requirements for the USMLE or COMLEX exams, but passing scores must be obtained within two attempts. Additionally, PGY-1 applicants should be no more than three years past medical school graduation.2

Unique Aspects of the Program

Besides traditional rotations and scholarly projects, residents have opportunities to participate in various interest groups such as the Wellness Interest Group and the Psychedelic and Experiential Medicine Interest Group. These groups facilitate learning and dialogue on emerging topics and promote resident well-being throughout the training.4

The program also maintains a strong focus on community psychiatry, offering tracks designed for residents interested in serving economically or socially disadvantaged populations post-graduation.3