Columbia Combined General Psychiatry/Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Program
The Columbia Combined General Psychiatry- Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Program is a five-year integrated training program for residents who know early in their careers that they wish to become child and adolescent psychiatrists. By combining three years of general psychiatry residency with two years of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship, the track provides a seamless educational experience that prepares graduates for outstanding clinical practice, leadership, and academic careers.
The integrated structure allows residents to develop a strong foundation in general psychiatry while building meaningful connections with the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division from the beginning of training. Throughout the five years, residents benefit from longitudinal mentorship, participation in the child psychiatry community, and peer support from current child fellows and faculty. Rather than waiting until fellowship to become part of the division, trainees develop their professional identity as child psychiatrists throughout residency.
A hallmark of the program is early and sustained exposure to child and adolescent psychiatry. In addition to the core child psychiatry experiences required during residency, trainees have opportunities for expanded outpatient child and adolescent psychiatry experiences during the PGY-2 and PGY-3 years. These longitudinal clinical experiences foster continuity with patients and mentors while allowing residents to explore subspecialty interests before entering fellowship.
Residents in the combined program complete the same rigorous clinical curriculum as all Columbia Psychiatry residents during the first three years, followed seamlessly by the two-year ACGME-accredited Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship. The program is designed to support the developmental progression from adult psychiatrist to child and adolescent psychiatrist while maintaining continuity in mentorship, education, and professional development.
Six-Year Child Research Track
For applicants pursuing careers as child psychiatrist-investigators, Columbia also offers a unique six-year Child Research Track.
Residents complete three years of General Psychiatry residency followed by the first year of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship. The second fellowship year is then distributed over two years, with 50% protected time for research throughout this period. This structure provides the time and mentorship necessary to develop a meaningful research program while completing clinical fellowship training.
Graduates of the Child Research Track are well positioned to transition seamlessly into Columbia's NIH-funded Child Psychiatry T32 postdoctoral research training program, creating a continuous pathway from residency through advanced research training and preparation for independent academic careers.
Why Choose the Combined General Psychiatry - Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Program at Columbia?
- An integrated five-year pathway from residency through Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship.
- Early immersion in child psychiatry, with additional outpatient experiences during the PGY-2 and PGY-3 years.
- Longitudinal mentorship from child psychiatry faculty beginning early in residency.
- A supportive community, with ongoing connections to child psychiatry residents, fellows, faculty, and peers throughout training.
- A flexible application process, allowing applicants to apply to both the General Psychiatry Residency and the Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Track.
- A unique six-year research pathway for trainees pursuing careers as child psychiatrist-scientists, including protected research time and a seamless transition to NIH-funded postdoctoral research training.
How to Apply:
Applicants interested in the Combined Program should complete an Interest Form during the residency application process. We do not require a separate ERAS application for the Research Track. The Combined General-Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Program accommodates up to two residents per year. Applicants interested in the integrated pathway apply through a separate NRMP match number. Applicants are welcome to apply to both the General Psychiatry Residency and the Combined General Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Program, allowing flexibility in the match process.