Clinical Pastoral Education

About the program

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) uses the action/reflection model of learning. Pastoral and professional identity, as well as pastoral competency, are increased as students integrate their personal experiences with theoretical materials.

Learning emerges as students reflect on themselves and their ministry within the context of the hospital, with the introduction of appropriate theoretical materials from theology and behavioral sciences. Each participant is assigned a clinical area so that he/she can observe real-life situations.

The curriculum is designed to create a learning environment where students feel challenged and respected regardless of differences. A student’s self-determined learning goals serve as a launching pad for the educational experience.

Residency

The residency program curriculum offers three units of CPE during the calendar year. It begins in September and ends in August of each year. A competitive stipend and benefits are offered. The schedule includes a five-day workweek in additional to hospital coverage duties in rotation with their peers and other chaplains. Students are not charged tuition, but some expense is required for books and other activities.

Requirements

To enter the residency training program, a prior unit of CPE is required. Formal education includes an undergraduate degree and a preference for Master of Divinity/Theology or equivalent. Ordination, endorsement or commissioning is preferred but not required.

Summer intensive unit

The summer intensive CPE unit is between 10-12 weeks long. It includes a five-day workweek in addition to hospital coverage duties on some nights and weekends. Coverage of the hospital is in rotation with peers and other chaplains.

Programs are open to area ministers, seminary students and interested laypersons. Ordained and lay ministers may also opt to use their current places of ministry outside of the hospital with approval by the CPE supervisor as counting toward the required clinical hours.

Requirements

Tuition for the summer intensive CPE unit is $350. There is a $30 application fee that is applied to the tuition if accepted. A $75 acceptance deposit is required to secure a position in the program, and it will be applied to your tuition as well. The purchase of text books is required.

Extended unit

The extended CPE unit is between 18 and 20 weeks long. This program is designed as a part-time educational experience yet offers the same opportunities and challenges of any CPE unit. Trainees can grow in their ability to provide pastoral presence to people who receive difficult news regarding a loved one or unexpected diagnosis. This program is open to area ministers, seminary students and interested laypersons who want to further their theological education through CPE.

Trainees increase skill in helping people experiencing chronic and acute crises and explore how theology informs pastoral care.

Programs are open to may also opt to use their current place of ministry, outside of the hospital, as counting toward the required clinical hours, with approval by the CPE supervisor. In addition to the clinical responsibilities, each participant shares the on-call rotation with their peers and other chaplains. This provides the participant a rich learning experience in providing pastoral care to a variety of ministry encounters, including intense crisis.

Requirements

Tuition for this program is $350 for on-site clinical placement and $750 for off-site clinical placement. There is a $30 application fee that is applied to the tuition if accepted. A $75 acceptance deposit is required to secure a position in the program, and it will be applied to your tuition as well. The purchase of text books is required.