Medical student courses
Our faculty participate in teaching medical students during all phases of the newly-revised medical school curriculum. We also offer electives in clinical dermatology and dermatopathology. Course information for current medical students can be found in the Washington University School of Medicine Bulletin.
Visiting medical students
We welcome students from other institutions to participate in a dermatology elective as a visiting student at Washington University School of Medicine. In-person away electives will begin in spring 2025. There will not be a virtual option.
Pre-screening application materials must be sent to dermresidency@wustl.edu prior to application submission in the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) program.
Based on recommendations from the Association of Professors of Dermatology, we strongly encourage students to complete no more than two in-person away rotations in dermatology during their fourth year of medical school; students without a home program may consider completing three in-person away rotations.
Deadlines:
Applications open on February 1st; deadline to submit your pre-screening materials to dermresidency@wustl.edu is March 3rd
After March 3rd, you will be notified whether you have been accepted into the rotation; at that time, you can apply through VSLO. Do not submit a VSLO application until you have notified by the program to do so.
Pre-Screening Application Materials:
- CV
- Medical school transcript
- Letter of Interest (<500 words)
- Please include
- Specific interest in Washington University
- Overall goals/interests
- Underrepresented group identification (race/ethnicity, sexual/gender minority, first generation college student, rural background, socioeconomic status)
- Lack of home dermatology residency program, if applicable
- Please include
- Letter of good standing from your institution
- Preferred rotation dates (2-3 options)
- Preferred rotation: general dermatology or pediatric dermatology
After the March 3rd deadline, you will be notified of your application approval and will be cleared to apply through VSLO for the preapproved dates.
Available rotation dates:
- July 7, 2025 – August 3, 2025
- August 4, 2025 – August 31, 2025
- September 1, 2025 – September 28, 2025
- September 29, 2025 – October 26, 2025
- October 27, 2025 – November 23, 2025
Underrepresented in medicine visiting students
We are committed to ensuring that our residency program reflects the diverse patient population we serve. If you identify as a student from a group that is underrepresented in medicine, please consider applying to the Office of Diversity Programs Visiting Elective Program, which provides funding as well as additional engagement opportunities with members of the Washington University School of Medicine community.
The Division of Dermatology is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive learning environment and encourages applications from students who are underrepresented in medicine, including individuals whose personal characteristics such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, health condition or disability place them at risk for conscious or unconscious bias or discrimination.
Medical student research
Research opportunities are available for interested Washington University medical students, starting in the first year of medical school. Unfortunately, at this time, there are limited opportunities for research for students from other institutions.
Sun Protection Outreach Teaching by Students (SPOTS)
Sun Protection Outreach Teaching by Students (SPOTS) was created by a group of medical students and dermatology faculty from both St. Louis University and Washington University Medical Schools under the leadership of Stephanie Lickerman, RN, Community Education Director for the Melanoma Hope Network. This program, established through a collaborative effort between the two medical institutions, a community non-profit organization (the Melanoma Hope Network), and the Rockwood School District, represents the first educational program of its kind that focuses on teenage skin cancer prevention taught by medical professionals in training. SPOTS is an award-winning program, receiving two Golden Triangle Awards from the American Academy of Dermatology in 2009.
