Student Programs

Our department offers a variety of learning opportunities for medical students of all levels, and elective opportunities, special events, and mentoring for those considering a career in pediatrics.

Core Clerkship

The pediatric clerkship rotation is 6 weeks in length and is a mix of outpatient primary and acute care clinics and inpatient nursery and ward experiences. The rotation is offered at the following sites:

  • Benioff Children's Hospital (Mission Bay, Mount Zion, Oakland)
  • Kaiser Hayward Hospital and Clinics (Sleepy Hollow, San Leandro)
  • Kaiser Oakland Hospital and Clinics (Berkeley, Richmond, Alameda)
  • Kaiser San Francisco Hospital and Clinics (San Francisco, Daly City)
  • Marin Health Medical Center and Clinics (Novato, Larkspur)
  • UCSF Fresno, including Community Regional Medical Center
  • Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Clinics (ZSFG)

Clinical Immersion Experiences

A number of clinical electives known as Clinical Immersion Experiences or CIExes are available to UCSF students in the Foundations 2 phase of the curriculum. There are four types of CIExes: please visit UCSF School of Medicine for detailed descriptions. Examples of pediatric CIExes include Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Pediatric/Medical Genetics, and Pediatric Urology.

4th-year Electives in Pediatrics

We offer several 4th-year electives both to UCSF students and to visiting students. This course catalogue contains a list of offered electives. Courses that are not labeled UCSF Students Only are available to visiting students from US and Canadian medical schools. Currently, the UCSF School of Medicine is not accepting international students for clinical electives. If you are a visiting student, more information on the application procedures for a visiting rotation at UCSF and in pediatrics can be found on the Med Ed website.

Career Advising

UCSF Department of Pediatrics Career advisors work with students interested in pediatrics throughout all phases of the medical school curriculum, organize outreach activities to attract medical students to pediatric career paths, and promote the overall pipeline into pediatrics and pediatric subspecialties.

Co-Advisors

Confidential Advisor

Peds-START

The longitudinal Peds-START (Pediatric Specialized Training and Admission to Residency Track) program targeting future pediatricians provides a select group of medical students with an innovative journey including early mentorship, specialized pediatric training, and a direct path to UCSF Pediatric Residency. 

For questions about the program, reach out to the Peds-START program director, Michele Long: [email protected]

Program Highlights:

  • Individualized career development opportunities
  • Interactive skill-building workshops
  • Mentorship from pediatric faculty and residents
  • Networking and professional development events

Who Can Apply and When?

  • UCSF Medical Students who are on track to do their F2 clerkship in the San Francisco Bay Area
  • Students can apply to Peds-START during their second year of medical school (apply in the fall prior to F2).

Read about the program here: The Future of Pediatrics Starts Here | Department of Pediatrics

Photos of Peds-START students:

Peds-START Medical Students at the annual Peds Students Skills Workshop, May 2025
Peds-START Medical Students at the annual Peds Students Skills Workshop, May 2025

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Peds-START Community Building Session, June 2025
Peds-START Community Building Session, June 2025
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The inaugural cohort of UCSF's Peds-START program, a new initiative designed to foster the development of future pediatricians.

Get Involved

There are many student opportunities to get involved in Pediatrics. 

  • Pediatrics Interest Group: Pediatric-focused, student-run organization
  • Children’s Health Hut: Non-profit volunteer organization
  • PedStars: Program that pairs students with children with chronic illness