Methods for teaching mental health administration within the framework of the regular psychiatric residency are described. The basic principles of social systems analysis and social systems management are the framework for both the field experience and the didactic curriculum. Emphasis is placed on student participation in the teaching process. The student engages in multiple exercises within the actual working processes of mental health administration. In essence, we attempt to teach mental health administration by providing learning experiences where the student performs the tasks and engages in the conceptual work that form the basis for social systems management.