Psychiatry Medical Student Programs
The University of Michigan Medical School provides students with diverse experiences throughout each phase of the curriculum to support the development of medical knowledge and clinical skills related to mental health care. Our department boasts dedicated faculty who are enthusiastic about teaching, mentoring, and supporting students. Whether through clinical instruction, research opportunities, or personalized advising, we are committed to fostering meaningful connections and helping medical students thrive.
We look forward to partnering with current and future medical students as they develop into compassionate, skilled physicians and leaders in mental health care.
For More Information
Program Highlights
- Development of foundational understanding of psychiatric and neuroscience principles, with an early focus on neurotransmission, psychopharmacology, and their clinical correlations
- Immersive learning in both inpatient and outpatient settings at Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor VA, a variety of specialty outpatient clinics, ECT observation, and Psychiatric Emergency Services
- Extensive patient interviewing experience, fostering skills in providing empathy, history-taking, and clinical reasoning
- Opportunities to work within multidisciplinary teams, learning the value of interprofessional collaboration in patient care
- Multiple elective and Sub-Intern experiences for senior medical students
Goals of the Program
Medical student education is a central focus for the Department of Psychiatry. Our program aims to:
- Introduce students to the recognition and management of psychiatric disorders across diverse patient settings and age groups
- Cultivate advanced communication skills crucial for effective and compassionate physician-patient relationships
- Provide mentorship and exposure for those interested in exploring careers in psychiatry
- Create a supportive, inclusive, and academically stimulating learning environment for all learners
Throughout your psychiatry rotation and elective experiences, you will work closely with faculty, residents, and multidisciplinary teams as teachers, advisors, and role models.
What You Will Learn
First Year (M1)
Students begin with foundational concepts and essential psychiatric clinical skills during the Scientific Trunk’s Behavioral Health Sequence. This early exposure builds a strong base for understanding mental and behavioral health.
Second Year (M2)
As students transition to the Clinical Trunk, they participate in the required four-week Psychiatry Clerkship. Immersed in real clinical settings, students learn to recognize and manage psychiatric disorders across diverse healthcare environments. The clerkship emphasizes patient interviewing, a vital skill for developing effective, compassionate physician-patient relationships.
Third and Fourth Years (M3 & M4)
During the Branches phase, students can choose from a range of psychiatry electives or take on increased clinical responsibilities as Sub-Interns. These experiences allow students to explore subspecialty areas and deepen their practical skills.
Residency Preparation
For those aspiring to pursue psychiatry in residency, the Department of Psychiatry provides individualized support and mentorship. Medical students are paired with Career Faculty Advisors to guide them throughout the ERAS residency application process.
Contact for Course & Credentialing
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5726
Branch Electives
During your M3 and M4 years - the Branches - you’ll expand on your psychiatry foundation and prepare for residency through a broad array of electives. Each elective provides hands-on experience in different facets of psychiatric care.
Electives are open to U-M Medical School and visiting students; those interested in U-M Med School's Psychiatry Residency program are especially encouraged to participate.
Experience comprehensive and focused psychiatric evaluations for medically complex patients and practice communicating recommendations to primary medical teams. Work closely within a multidisciplinary environment with exposure to a range of mental health, substance use, and neurocognitive conditions.
Gain firsthand exposure to acute psychiatric presentations for patients of all ages in the Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES). Learn triage, crisis intervention, and management while working as an integral part of the PES team.
Develop advanced assessment skills for older adults in both long-term care and outpatient settings. Participate in interdisciplinary care for geriatric patients, including exposure to neuropsychometric testing, dementia care, and family-focused interventions.
Assume a sub-intern role as the primary clinician for adult inpatients, providing comprehensive new patient evaluations, ongoing management, and discharge planning. Participate in overnight and weekend coverage as well as emergency service shifts under faculty supervision.
Participate in the Pediatric Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry rotation at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Work with pediatricians, child psychiatrists, and fellows to assess and provide care for children and adolescents with psychiatric needs. Engage in academic projects and quality improvement initiatives.
This elective is designed to help students develop skills in the assessment and management of women’s mental health issues across the lifespan. Students who are interested in the intersection between psychiatry and women’s health, and who wish to learn more about the field of Reproductive Psychiatry would benefit from this elective.
Students will care for patients admitted to the Child and Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatry Service (Nyman Unit). Students will participate in the multidisciplinary team responsible for diagnosing and treating children and adolescents with a variety of psychiatric disorders, as well as co-morbid medical diagnoses. Students will participate in admission interviews involving patients and families and participate in daily rounding.
Student Interest Group (PsychSIGN)
The U-M Medical School Psychiatry Student Interest Group is run by medical students and is affiliated with the Department of Psychiatry.
We act to educate the medical student community on topics related to psychiatry and mental health, promote interest and provide resources on psychiatry as a profession, and help foster relationships between students and psychiatry residents/faculty.
Each year we coordinate a dinner with psychiatry faculty; coordinate mentorship pairings between medical students and residents; organize a lecture series on psychiatry-related topics; and support M3/M4s applying into psychiatry with the residency application process via workshops and panels. We are also affiliated with the national Psychiatry Student Interest Group Network (PsychSIGN).
If you have any questions about the interest group, you can reach out to the current executive board at [email protected].
Program Leadership
Scott Mariouw, MD
See Where Training Takes Place
Expand your career trajectory in a high-volume academic medical center that also supports and excels in a wide range of basic science, translational and clinical research programs.
