Clinical Pastoral Education
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is a method of learning pastoral practice in clinical settings under supervision. The curriculum emphasizes small group sharing of ministry cases to bring theological and behavioral science concepts together in understanding patients, oneself and health care systems. At Franciscan students incorporate pastoral skills and develop a spiritual clinician identity while functioning as chaplains in the scenic Pacific Northwest.
CPE ministry settings include hospital, hospice, mental health and a food service for the indigent and homeless. The programs are conducted with a community based orientation that views all persons as embedded in neighborhoods and families and thus contributing to and benefiting from the wellbeing of their communal context.
The Franciscan CPE program features a mission based on the Christian spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi and an organized method of spiritual assessment of needs, defined spiritual care functions, and hoped-for outcomes of pastoral care work.
The CPE programs are conducted in units of 400 hours each, with approximately 120 of those hours dedicated to individual and group educational sessions. These programs are configured in four different ways to meet the diverse full time and part time needs of our applicants and the spiritual care needs of patients, families, staff members and the community as a whole:
Internship
This eleven-week, full-time program is intended for introducing people into the clinical method of learning pastoral skills and developing a pastoral identity. This entry-level clinical pastoral experience helps students interested in learning to understand themselves more fully as pastoral persons and as a team members in care settings to build confidence and competence through extensive, intensive professional and peer feedback.
Residency
A year-long residency experience is available for students who have successfully completed at least one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education, and are near completion of a Master of Divinity degree (M.Div.). These residencies are specialized in the fields of hospice, hospital system and community/crisis care. The residency curriculum emphasizes spiritual assessment, grief work skills, alcoholism referral competencies, family systems concepts, medical ethics involvement and pastoral group leadership. The residencies include a stipend of $28,500 with paid time off benefits. An on-site interview is generally required before acceptance into a resident year. Click here to see the criteria for admissions.
Extended CPE
Training is offered as a part-time experience, beginning in September and meeting one evening per week for seven months. A group learning day consists of five hours of programming, and each student provides eight to twelve hours of ministry per week in one of Franciscan Health System’s facilities. This program is designed for parish clergy, qualified lay people and health professionals who hope to improve their skills and identity of their person based spiritual care.
Supervisory CPE
Training in supervisory CPE is offered to students who have completed the objectives of Level I and Level II Clinical Pastoral Education; have had significant pastoral experience (usually three years); and wish to learn the practice of clinical supervision with a goal of becoming a CPE supervisor. In order to apply for supervisory CPE, individuals must contact a Franciscan supervisor for an extended conversation about readiness.
Practical matters
Action on admission will be taken within three weeks of receiving applications. Final evaluations are written within 45 days of completion of each CPE Unit. Fees for the program are $600 for a twelve-week unit of CPE or Supervisory CPE, and $400 for each successive unit.
- A $100 non-refundable acceptance confirmation deposit will apply toward the tuition of the unit of training.
- No lodging is provided. The supervisor and staff can assist students in finding suitable lodging accommodations in the area. The responsibility for finding such housing rests with the student.
- Meals are provided when a student is on duty.
Intern programs are usually scheduled to begin in early September, December, March and June. The residency program begins in early September. Extended programs begin in September.
Accrediting Agencies
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE - 1549 Claremont Rd. - Suite 103, Decatur GA 30033-4635 404-320-1472 - www.ACPE.edu)
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - Commission on Certification and Accreditation, 3211 South Lake Drive, Suite 317, St. Francis WI 53235-3702 414-486-0139 usccbcca@execpc.com
