In 1985-2011, 2649 theses were submitted to the dissertation councils of the USSR-Russia by scientific specialty 14.01.06 (14.00.18 ) “Psychiatry”; they comprised 2.5 % of all medical theses. Theses in psychiatry reflect the general trend in training of highly qualified personnel in Russia; curves of total dissertation flow in medicine and psychiatry over time are significantly related (r = 0.83; p < 0.001). At a low coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.67), polynomial trend of theses number resembles a shallow horizontal S-curve with the minimum rates in 1992-1996 and maximum in 2004-2005. Annually in 1996-2011, (102 ± 5) theses were submitted for defence, including (85 ± 5) theses for the first doctoral degree (Candidate of Science) and (17 ± 1) theses for the second doctoral degree (Doctor of Science). Doctor of Science theses comprised 16.5 %, and the ratio of candidate’s and doctors theses was 1 : 5.1. In the array of 14.01.06 ( 14.00.18 ) “Psychiatry “ theses, 523, or 22.3 %, works were prepared at the junction of Sciences (two specialties). Theses by scientific directions were as follows: 1st (common pathogenetic basis of psychopathology) - 1.2 %, 2nd (general psychopathology) - 2.2 %, 3rd (special psychiatry) - 9.5 %, 4th (clinical manifestations, diagnostics, mental disorders therapy and rehabilitation of mentally ill) - 74.2 %, 5th (social and legal foundations of psychiatry) - 7.3 %, 6th (epidemiology of mental disorders) - 2.8 %, 7th (organization of mental health care, prevention of mental disorders) - 2.8 %. Content of 14 % theses refers to several fields of research.