Department of Psychiatry

Psychiatry Residency Program

Eligibility Requirements | Selection Criteria | Application Process | Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Eligibility Criteria

Applications are accepted from graduates of MD and DO schools, and from graduates of equivalent international medical schools.

To ensure that the process for selecting residents is consistent with guidelines established by the  ACGME and the Graduate Medical Education Committee, University of Colorado Denver and compliant with appropriate Federal and State statutes and regulations, this program has the following eligibility requirements.

1. Applicants must document compliance with one of the following
   1. graduation from a Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) accredited medical school;
   2. graduation from an American Osteopathic Association (AOA) accredited college of osteopathic medicine; or 
   3. be an international medical graduate holding a valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate; or
   4. hold a full, unrestricted license to practice medicine in a U.S. licensing jurisdiction; or
   5. successfull completion a Fifth Pathway program provided by an LCME-accredited medical school.
2. Applicants must successfully pass a criminal background investigation (criteria specified in UCD and GMEC background investigation policies).
3. The CU School of Medicine recognizes that residents enrolled in its programs are trainees, not employees. As such, applicants must be able to meet conditions of the institutional houseofficer (resident) training agreement. Specifically, residents in our program must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or possess the appropriate documentation to allow resident to legally train at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine.

Selection Criteria

A Resident Selection Committee in each training program evaluates all eligible applicants. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of their preparedness and experience; academic credentials; ability and aptitude; communication and interpersonal skills; and on personal qualities such as integrity, learning motivation, and work ethic.

University of Colorado Denver will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Application Process

1. Applicants must register with National Resident Matching Program
2. Application for training in the Department of Psychiatry residency training programs must include:
   1. Original graduate transcript(s), when applicable
   2. Original medical school transcript(s)
   3. Original Dean's Letter
   4. Documentation of post-graduate medical education completed elsewhere
   5. Copies of state medical license(s), DEA certificate, when applicable
   6. Documentation of ECFMG certification, when applicable
   7. Documentation of VISA status, for international applicants
   8. Curriculum Vitae
   9. Personal Statement
   10. Three professional letters of recommendation
   11. A formal letter from the current Training Director outlining rotations completed, when applying for a PGY II position
   12. Documentation of successful passing scores on USMLE part 1 (and part 2 CS and CK once available) , or COMLEX equivalents.
3. Personal interviews with program faculty and housestaff

Supporting information, including graduate school transcripts and letters should be requested by the applicant.  One of the three letters of recommendation must be from the applicant’s medical school clerkship in internal medicine, pediatrics, or family medicine.  All applications for a PGY I position must be received via  ERAS.  Applicants for PGY II positions may apply via ERAS or may submit a application form via email or regular mail, and the form must be typed, not hand written, and accompanied by a small (2"x2") face photo of the applicant.

Because there are differences in training programs, and the individual applicant’s personal goals for training, it is essential that each applicant interview in person on site. A full day of interviews, tours, and informal contact with current residents is recommended. Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are unable to interview everyone.  The Selection Committee will review your application file, and we will notify you if you have been selected to interview. 

DEADLINES: The dates by which we must receive your completed application and for scheduling your interview change from year to year; please click here for application and interview timelines.

FURTHER QUESTIONS: If you have further questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

Alexis A. Giese, M.D.
Program Director

Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine
University of Colorado Denver

Bld. 500, Mail Stop F546
13001 E. 17th Pl, Room E2322
Aurora, Colorado 80045

Email: alexis.giese@ucdenver.edu
Telephone: (303) 724-6021