University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School Program

Overview of the Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship

The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, stands out for its integration of historical depth with innovative collaborations. The fellowship program, which initially began at the Austin State Hospital in 1971 and was rejuvenated by Ascension Seton, benefits from a strategic partnership with Dell Med and UT Austin. This collaboration has ushered in dynamic faculty, pioneering programs, and leading-edge research initiatives focused on evolving the field of child and adolescent psychiatry.

Faculty members are deeply dedicated to guiding trainees both in clinical excellence and in fostering their unique talents in this rapidly transforming discipline.

Training Facilities

The primary clinical venue for the fellowship is Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, an Ascension facility that functions as the only pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center in Central Texas, serving a vast 46-county region. The Grace Grego Maxwell Mental Health Center at Dell Children’s hosts the inpatient unit, along with the Texas Child Study Center, which serves as the outpatient clinic.

In addition to the core facilities, fellows are involved in consultation roles with pediatric patients across various medical-surgical floors at Dell Children’s, which enriches their clinical experiences.

Elective opportunities are accessible at the UT Austin Counseling and Mental Health Center, alongside various local settings such as Austin State Hospital—a 30-bed facility catering to children and adolescents from age four to eighteen.

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum is carefully designed over two years, comprising diverse training blocks in various settings:

• Child 1 Year: 5 blocks in inpatient psychiatry at Dell Children’s, 1 block in community inpatient psychiatry at Austin State Hospital, and 5 blocks in consultation-liaison psychiatry.
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• Child 2 Year: 13 blocks in outpatient child and adolescent psychiatry, alongside additional blocks dedicated to psychotherapy, clinical selectives, and school rotations.
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• Elective rotations allow fellow trainees to tailor their experiences based on personal interests and career aspirations.
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The core curriculum also includes instruction on developmental neuroscience, cultural competency, research principles, and advanced psychopharmacology, alongside focused psychotherapy methodologies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family Therapy.

Application Process and Requirements

Application for the fellowship is conducted via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), and candidates are required to meet specific eligibility criteria including passing the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensure Examination or United States Medical Licensing Examination Steps I, II, and III. Only graduates from medical schools recognized by the Texas Medical Board will be considered; additionally, applicants must demonstrate eligibility for a Texas medical license at the conclusion of their residency.

Interviews are scheduled on a rolling basis, beginning shortly after the application opens. The program welcomes applications from both internal candidates and external applicants with an equally strong commitment to child and adolescent psychiatry.

Visa Support

The program provides visa support for qualified applicants, including sponsorship for H-1B and J-1 visas, ensuring that international medical graduates can participate in the fellowship without undue immigration concerns.

Fellowship Competitiveness

With an emphasis on developing systems-ready leaders, the fellowship remains competitive, appealing to a variety of candidates including U.S. MDs, DOs as well as International Medical Graduates (IMGs). The program seeks those who not only excel academically but who also demonstrate a solid commitment to child and adolescent mental health.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The collaborative environment at Dell Medical School fosters a culture of innovation in psychiatric education. The fellowship is characterized by engagement with state-of-the-art mental health resources and a faculty that prioritizes trainee development, offering a balance of scientific rigor and mentorship. Fellows engage in transformative research, contribute to community psychiatry through advocacy, and partake in initiatives that enhance health equity.

The vibrant community and city of Austin itself provide a stimulating backdrop for personal and professional growth, with various cultural, recreational, and social opportunities available, enriching the fellowship experience.

Current Fellows and Alumni

The program boasts a diverse group of current fellows who have interests ranging from trauma-informed care to integrating psychodynamic principles into practice. Alumni from the program continue to advance in various roles in academia, community practice, and specialized care settings, reinforcing the program's reputation and effectiveness.