Fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry

1. Applicants must hold a medical degree, such as Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).
2. Applicants must successfully complete an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited General Psychiatry residency before starting the fellowship.
3. Applicants must be eligible for medical licensure in California.
4. Applicants must hold a valid California medical license by July 1 of the fellowship year.
5. International medical graduates must submit a copy of their Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification.

The Fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry is offered by the University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) School of Medicine in collaboration with the VA San Diego Healthcare System. UC San Diego is a public research university located in La Jolla, California, known for its excellence in medical education, scientific research, and clinical training. Its School of Medicine provides postgraduate education across various medical specialties. This one-year fellowship provides advanced clinical training in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychiatric disorders in older adults, including dementia, mood disorders, and other age-related mental health conditions. Fellows gain experience in inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, consultation-liaison services, primary care, home-based care, comprehensive geriatric assessment, and clinical research to develop expertise in caring for older adults with complex mental health needs.

1. Contact the fellowship program to confirm that an opening is available for the intended training year.
2. Prepare a curriculum vitae (CV).
3. Write a one-page personal statement.
4. Obtain three letters of recommendation, including one from the General Psychiatry Residency Program Director. The letters must be sent directly to the program contacts.
5. Complete the University of California San Diego Post-Graduate Medical Training Application.
6. Submit a copy of the medical school transcript.
7. International medical graduates must also submit a copy of their ECFMG certification.
8. Send all application materials to the fellowship program contacts for review.
9. If offered admission, accept or decline the offer within 20 business days, subject to the program's current policy.
10. Complete California medical licensing and institutional onboarding requirements before the fellowship begins.