Overview of the Specialty
Psychiatrists specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders including mental, emotional and behavioral disorders and in the common medical and neurological disorders that relate to the practice of psychiatry.
At a Glance
Training
- 4 years of residency
- Categorical positions available
These are minimum requirements. Some programs may have longer residencies.
Fellowships
| Subspecialty | Length |
|---|---|
| Addiction Psychiatry | 1 year |
| Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | 2 years |
| Forensic Psychiatry | 1 year |
| Geriatric Psychiatry | 1 year |
| Hospice and Palliative Medicine | 1 year |
| Pain Management | 1 year |
| Psychosomatic Medicine | 1 year |
| Sleep Medicine | 1 year |
Lifestyle
| Median, Academic Salary | $208,000 |
| Median, Clinical Salary | $227,000 |
Source: Association of American Medical Colleges
Training Requirements
Training consists of a minimum of four years of postgraduate education. There were 211 psychiatry residency training programs accredited by the ACGME for 2014/15 that offered 1,353 categorical/advanced positions.
Matching Program Information and Match Statistics
Psychiatry residency training programs participate in the NRMP. Match results through the NRMP and competitiveness information for psychiatry residency training positions are summarized in the U.S. Match Statistics table below.
US Match Statistics |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
| Competitiveness* | Interm | Low | Low | Low |
| # Categorical positions available for U.S. Seniors | 1354 | 1324 | 1360 | 1121 |
| % U.S. Seniors Matched* | 94% | 96% | 97% | 97% |
| # Unfilled Categorical Positions | 9 | 32 | 30 | 38 |
| # Unmatched U.S. Seniors | 48 | 23 | 20 | 15 |
Source: NRMP Match results for U.S. seniors applying in a single specialty. *Competitiveness is based upon the percentage of U.S. Seniors who ranked each specialty as their only choice.
WUSM Match Statistics
For a list of WUSM match statistics for the past several years, please visit Search for WUSM Statistics. (password protected)
Subspecialty/Fellowship Training
Subspecialty/fellowship training following completion of a psychiatry residency training program is available in addiction psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, pain management, psychosomatic medicine, hospice and palliative medicine, and sleep medicine. Detailed information about the scope of these subspecialty training programs, number of positions offered, and length of training is available at the FREIDA website.
Visit AMA website »
Visit FREIDA website »
Career Information
FREIDA physician workforce information for each specialty includes statistical information on the number of positions/programs for residency training, resident work hours, resident work environment and compensation, employment status upon completion of program and work environment for those entering practice in each specialty.
Washington University Resources
- Washington University Office of Graduate Medical Education (GME): Information about graduate medical education at Washington University
- Department of Psychiatry
- Psychiatry Elective Recommendations
- Database of WUSM alumni searchable by Specialty, Year, and/or State (password protected)
Faculty Contacts
| Nuri Farber, MD | 362-2462 |
| Anne Glowinski, MD | 286-2217 |
| Eugene Rubin, MD | 362-2467 |
| Melissa Harbit, MD | 362-2440 |
| Eric Spiegel, MD | 747-6773 |