Why Penn?

World-Class Hospitals, One Health System 

Residents rotate through the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (PPMC), Pennsylvania Hospital (PAH), HUP–Cedar Avenue, the Penn Behavioral Health Outpatient Psychiatry Center (OPC), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center (VAMC), and community sites like Hall Mercer and Horizon House. Few residencies offer such breadth within one connected health system—from cutting-edge academic medicine to underserved community psychiatry. 

Unparalleled Research & Innovation 

Penn Psychiatry is consistently ranked among the top 3 departments in NIH psychiatry funding. Residents benefit from a NIMH-funded research track (EPSP), a Research Certificate, and mentorship from faculty leaders in molecular psychiatry, neuromodulation, microbiome research, sleep medicine, and global mental health. 

 

Learn more about Penn Medicine's role in innovative medical research and public health in the video below:

Distinctive Educational Pathways 

Beyond core training, residents can pursue more than ten Certificate Programs—including Psychotherapy, Community Psychiatry, Neuromodulation, Women’s Mental Health, Medical Education, Wellness, Cultural Psychiatry, Bioethics, and Research. These tracks allow residents to personalize their education and graduate with advanced expertise. 

 

Cutting-Edge Curriculum 

Penn’s curriculum evolves with the future of psychiatry. Residents complete a 2-week Neuromodulation rotation featuring ECT, TMS, VNS, DBS, and esketamine—with psychedelic clinical trials on the horizon. Penn is also one of the very few programs nationally that provides outpatient medication management in PGY-2 alongside psychotherapy, a full year earlier than most programs. Abundant elective time and close mentorship from world-class faculty empower residents to explore interests and shape their professional identities. 

A Community That Cares 

Penn emphasizes resident wellbeing with protected academic half-days, wellness programming, a formal Wellness Certificate, and a collaborative culture. Strong mentorship, peer support, and a resident-led community create an environment where trainees thrive, not just survive. 

 

Philadelphia: A Living Classroom 

Penn residents train in one of the nation’s most diverse and vibrant cities, serving patients across race, ethnicity, gender identity, socioeconomic status, and lived experience. Philadelphia’s arts, history, food, and affordability make it a dynamic and supportive home during residency. 

 

Learn more about the history of Psychiatry at Penn and the current department statistics at Department by the Numbers.