Erik Glud took his M. D. in 1948 and shortly after went to the USA. There, he trained first in child psychiatry, and later underwent psychoanalytic training at the Boston Psychoanalytic Institute. In 1963, he was also successful in completing his training in child analysis, and stayed on as a member of the Boston Psychoanalytical Society.

In Boston, Erik Glud worked in very well-reputed hospitals, and shortly before he returned to Denmark, was assistant director at Beth Israel Hospital.