CPE Students
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The International Student Visitor Program
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Prospective Students
Are you a prospective student or international student interested in earning CPE units? You've come to the right place.
In this section we'll answer some frequently asked questions as well as provide more details on the International Student Visitor Program.
How to enroll in a unit of CPE:
Visit the directory on the ACPE homepage
Search by state to locate the programs in your area. Listings will show up alphabetically by program and/or hospital name.
Contact the program(s) that you are interested in to inquire about schedules, fees, interview dates, and admission requirements. Please note that every center is different in terms of what they require.
Complete the CPE application and send directly to the program(s) of interest
Important note
: Please do not send your completed application to the ACPE office in Atlanta, GA. Applications sent to the office will not be forwarded on your behalf.
Resources
What to expect on your first day of CPE
CPE Beginner's Guide
Spiritual Care Provider Networks
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Clinical Pastoral Education?
Clinical Pastoral Education is interfaith professional education for ministry. It brings theological students and ministers of all faiths (pastors, priests, rabbis, imams and others) into supervised encounter with persons in crisis. Out of an intense involvement with persons in need, and the feedback from peers and teachers, students develop new awareness of themselves as persons and of the needs of those to whom they minister. From theological reflection on specific human situations, they gain a new understanding of ministry. Within the interdisciplinary team process of helping persons, they develop skills in interpersonal and interprofessional relationships.
What do the essential elements of CPE include?
The actual practice of ministry to persons
Detailed reporting and evaluation of that practice
Pastoral supervision
A process conception of learning
A theoretical perspective on all elements of the program
A small group of peers in a common learning experience
A specific time period
An individual contract for learning consistent with the objectives of CPE
The CPE program must be conducted under the auspices of an ACPE Certified Educator (faculty) attached to an ACPE accredited CPE center.
What kind of things might be included in the individual learning contract?
Pastoral Reflection
- reflection on one's self as person and pastor in relationship to persons in crisis, the educator, and peer group members, as well as the curriculum and institutional setting.
Pastoral Formation
- focus on personal and pastoral identity issues in learning and ministry.
Pastoral Competence
- deepening and unfolding of competence in pastoral function, pastoral skills and knowledge of theology and the behavioral sciences.
Some ACPE accredited Centers also offer Pastoral Specialization, focusing on the student's desire to become competent and knowledgeable in a particular area of ministry, e.g. oncology, urban ministry, parish ministry, hospice ministry, etc.
What are the different types of CPE?
ACPE accredited Centers offer
Level I
and
Level II CPE
, as well as
Educator CPE
, in sequence. The outcomes for each level must be completed before moving to the next level. ACPE certified CPE is usually offered in single units (10-12 weeks) or in a year-long program (3-4 consecutive units). Some ACPE accredited Centers have other part-time options. The Center of your choice can explain the options available at their location.
What does CPE prepare a person to do?
ACPE certified CPE serves as a part of one's preparation for parish ministry, chaplaincy, lay ministry, teaching, and counseling. A student's learning contract may be focused toward integration of theological, psychological, and pastoral insights into pastoral functioning for parish work. Or the contract may be designed with a career goal of chaplaincy or pastoral counseling.
Some students, after completing several units of ACPE certified CPE, choose to enroll in Educator CPE working toward certification as an ACPE Certified Educator. In Educator CPE the student learns the theory and practice of education and has an experience of educating CPE students under the guidance and with the consultation of an ACPE Certified Educator.
ACPE certified CPE develops the capacity for the pastoral and spiritual care of individuals, families, and systems.
Many theological schools require one unit of CPE as a part of a theological degree program.
Other schools accept a year of CPE as the required intern year of ministry for a theological degree program.
A number of theological schools which are members of the ACPE have graduate degree programs which combine academic study and Educator CPE.
I want to be a Chaplain or Pastoral Counselor. Do I need CPE?
The
Association of Professional Chaplains
(APC), the
National Association of Catholic Chaplains
(NACC) and the
Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains
(NAJC) and other organizations certify chaplains. Some CPE is required as a pre-requisite. You should contact these organizations directly about their requirements.
Who is eligible to enroll in CPE?
For units of ACPE certified CPE: An individual who, through a written application and an admissions interview, has demonstrated the ability to participate in ACPE certified CPE, usually one who has successfully completed at least one year of theological school. And such other requirements or education and experience as a specific ACPE Center may require.
For ACPE accredited Educator CPE programs: An individual who has successfully completed several units of CPE and has demonstrated a readiness to utilize Educator CPE, usually one who has a theological degree and several years of pastoral experience.
Do I have to be ordained to do CPE?
Specific requirements regarding ordination as a prerequisite are determined by each ACPE Center.
Where can one enroll in CPE?
ACPE accredits about three hundred CPE Centers and Systems throughout the United States. ACPE Centers are located in health care institutions, hospitals of all kinds (e.g. general, university, children's, psychiatric, military, VA), geriatric centers, hospices, parishes, mental health facilities, correctional institutions, and a variety of other settings.
Click here
for our online directory.
How may I enroll in CPE?
Click here
to access the CPE Application form as a Microsoft Word document.
Complete the application and
send it directly to the ACPE Center
where you wish to enroll.
The ACPE Center will then contact you about the status of your application.
Can I apply to more than one ACPE center?
Yes, you may apply to as many ACPE Centers as you chose. Many ACPE Centers have an application fee. The
ACPE online directory
will provide this information.
What are the dates for CPE and deadlines for application?
Each individual ACPE Center establishes it own dates for their programs and application deadlines. Contact the ACPE Center for this information.
What does CPE cost and are scholarships available?
Tuition is determined by each ACPE Center. Some ACPE Centers have scholarship programs. There is not a national scholarship program. Questions should be directed to the specific ACPE Center.
I am an international student. How do I enroll in CPE?
International students should apply to the ACPE Center of their choice. Once accepted, the student should contact the ACPE office (email:
kimberly.yates@acpe.edu
) to apply for a visa. The visa process can take from six to nine months to complete. The visa must be obtained before you can begin. Additional considerations are discussed on the
International Student Information
page.
Can I get academic credit for CPE?
Many theological schools and seminaries grant academic credit for ACPE certified CPE. You should contact them directly for this information.
Can I get CPE credit for previous work/ministry experience?
No, ACPE credit is not granted for previous work experience. However, your previous work/ministry experience will be considered during the interview/acceptance process.
However, there are agreements between ACPE and CASC/ACSS (
Canadian Association for Spiritual Care
) and between ACPE and NACC (
National Association of Catholic Chaplains
) which recognize the student units of the other organization. There is also an agreement between ACPE and NCPE (Norwegian CPE) to recognize each other's units in certain instances.
Also, currently there is a reciprocity agreement between ACPE and CASC/ACSS for the recognition of each others’ certification of educators (supervisors). NACC Supervisors may supervise in ACPE programs under certain conditions. There is also an agreement between ACPE and NCPE (Norwegian CPE) to recognize each other's educators under certain conditions.
Can I do CPE online or through some other distance learning process?
Several ACPE Centers utilize video conferencing as a modality. As every program is unique, please contact the center directly for complete details. You can find these ACPE Centers in the
online directory
by using the “Units offered” filter and select “Online Options.”
Can I defer my loans while enrolled in CPE?
No. ACPE is not recognized as a Title IV accrediting agency therefore our education is not eligible for an educational deferment. You may be eligible for other deferments or forbearances. Please check with your loan provider.
I have a complaint about an ACPE center or an ACPE Certified Educator. What should I do?
ACPE encourages complaints be resolved at the local ACPE Center. Mediation is often an option. If the complaint does not get resolved at this level, a formal complaint can then be filed.
Click here
for more information.
How can I become a member of ACPE?
ACPE Bylaws specify several membership categories for interested agencies and individuals. ACPE members receive the
ACPE News
, and information about the annual conference, and member rates to educational events. Members are encouraged to participate in national and local events. Membership is maintained by meeting association standards, ethics, and payment of annual membership fees.
Membership as a ACPE Certified Educator is available only through successful completion of the certification process.
Center and System membership is available through the accreditation process. More information is available in the
accreditation section
of our website.
For an ACPE membership categories and forms,
click here
Additional information for prospective students:
ACPE certified CPE is an experience in process education which has been shaped by history and yet remains responsive to the present-day cultural developments which will affect your pastoral formation. The heart of ACPE certified CPE is your ministry with people and learning from that ministry through reflection, discussion, and evaluation with other students and your educator. In your ACPE certified CPE experience, you will utilize verbatims (in the form of Pastoral Care Reports), case studies, and other ministry descriptions to present your ministry to supervision. The focus in some seminars will be on what is happening to you, the care giver, as much as on what is happening to the people receiving your ministry. There will be discussions which assist you in understanding theological issues arising from experience. There will be opportunities to learn from behavioral sciences while also reflecting theologically, so you can draw from both in understanding the human condition. You will be challenged to think about groups and social structures as well as individuals in defining your ministry. You also will be part of a dynamic learning group with other students and your educator, which will provide opportunities for mutual supervision, care giving, challenge and appreciation.
Where will I be ministering?
ACPE certified CPE is offered in a number of different kinds of settings. In many of the settings, such as general hospitals, mental health facilities, correctional institutions, children’s hospitals, and nursing homes, you will minister to individuals, families, and small groups of people as a chaplain. ACPE certified CPE may, however, be done in any setting where ministry happens. There are a growing number of ACPE Centers with innovative approaches to ministry. Many ACPE Centers are being established as congregational or community-based models in connection with a local church or churches. You may want to clarify with an ACPE Center the types of ministries which occur there.
What is a typical day in CPE?
ACPE certified CPE units may be either full time or part time. Either schedule will include an equivalent number of ministry and education hours. Some extended ACPE certified CPE units meet one day per week for structured educational sessions, and ministry is performed at other times. A more common day, however, is one in which time is provided for ministry and for several education events. Since the heart of ACPE certified CPE is ministering and learning from the experience, a day’s schedule frequently includes a clinical seminar in which a student presents a pastoral encounter to other students and the educator for discussion and feedback. Other typical sessions are: didactic seminars in which discussion follows a lecture; discussion of a book or article; exploration of theological concerns; peer group meetings or interpersonal group sessions for mutual sharing, caring, support and relationship concerns are explored; and worship or sharing occasions which provide opportunity for spiritual nurture. Field trips, workshops, and clinical observations may be periodically included. Evaluation experiences with the other students and your educator are also part of a ACPE accredited CPE program and may be scheduled at the end of a unit to sum up the experience, midway to assess your learning objectives, and, at other times, such as with the other care providers in your ministry area. You will discover that a ACPE accredited CPE schedule asks for active investment but also provides time for sharing, reflection, preparation, and relaxation.
What is the CPE learning environment?
If you have never participated in a dynamic, interpersonal, process educational experience, you may be concerned about what it will be like. A foundational task will be for the other students, your educator and you to share with each other in such a way that all are cared for, supported, and challenged without being belittled. Furthermore, since an individual best knows his or her own limits, everyone will need to respect other’s boundaries and work to negotiate appropriate learning relationships. Developing a learning environment that is supportive, stimulating, and safe will make the risks of interpersonal learning and growth work taking.
Accredited vs. Non-Accredited Seminaries/Universities
To be certified as an ACPE Certified Educator or professional chaplain, students must earn a Bachelors and Master’s degree from a nationally or regionally accredited university or seminary. The following websites will help determine if an educational institution’s accreditation is recognized:
Council of Higher Education Association
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Association of Theological Schools
U.S. Department of Education
More information:
ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care and Education
1 Concourse Pkwy, Suite 800
Atlanta, GA 30328
Phone: (404) 320-1472
Fax: (404) 320-0849
acpe@acpe.edu
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