Frequently Asked CPE Questions
Questions about ACPE Clinical Pastoral Education
- Can I work and take CPE at the same time?
- Do I have to be ordained for CPE?
- Do CPE students get paid?
- Can I get academic credit for CPE?
- Do you provide housing for your students?
1. 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.
2. What are the essential elements of CPE?
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The actual practice of ministry to persons
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Detailed reporting and evaluation of that practice
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Pastoral Supervision
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A process conception of learning
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A theoretical perspective on all elements of the program
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A small group of peers in a common learning experience
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A specific time period
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An individual contract for learning consistent with the objectives of CPE
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The CPE program must be conducted under the auspices of an ACPE certified supervisor (faculty) attached to an ACPE accredited CPE center, such as the University of Virginia Health System Department of Chaplaincy Services and Pastoral Education.
3. What kind of things might be included in the Individual Learning Contract?
The CPE participant's contract is developed around the learning goals of:
- Pastoral Reflection - reflection on one's self as person and pastor in relationship to persons in crisis, the supervisor, 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 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.
4. What are the different types of CPE?
ACPE offers Level I and Level II CPE, as well as Supervisory CPE , in sequence. The outcomes for each level must be completed before moving to the next level. Level I CPE is offered in the summer for a full 1 weeks, or part-time in the fall for 25 weeks. Level II is a year-long program.
5. What does CPE prepare a person to do?
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 CPE, choose to enroll in Supervisory CPE working toward certification as a CPE supervisor. In Supervisory CPE the student learns the theory and practice of supervision and has an experience of supervising CPE students under the guidance and with the consultation of a CPE supervisor. 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 CPE Supervisory CPE.
6. I want to be a chaplain or a pastoral counselor. Do I need CPE?
The Association of Professional Chaplains ( www.professionalchaplains.org), the National Association of Catholic Chaplains ( www.nacc.org) and the National Association of Jewish Chaplains ( www.najc.org)and/ other organizations certify chaplains. The American Association of Pastoral Counselors ( www.aapc.org) trains and certifies pastoral counselors. Some CPE is required as a pre-requisite. You should contact these organizations directly about their requirements.
7. What are some vocations in pastoral care?
Vocations in Pastoral Care
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Areas of Service |
Training Recommended or Required |
Contact |
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Pastoral Care
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Pastor, Church Staff, Social Services
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Clinical Pastoral Education (minimum of one unit) |
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. (ACPE) or CAPPE |
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Professional Chaplaincy
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Hospital, hospice, military, or other institutional chaplaincy |
Clinical Pastoral Education (4 units required for Board certification) |
ACPE for training and Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) or NACC or NAJC for certification |
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Pastoral Educator (CPE Supervisor)
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Supervisor of CPE programs in a variety of settings |
CPE (Level I, Level II and Supervisory) Successful completion of certification process |
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. (ACPE) |
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Pastoral Counselor |
Counselor on church staff, counseling center or agency |
CPE (at least 1 unit) PLUS Pastoral counseling training program |
ACPE for introductory unit and American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) For pastoral counseling training |
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Licensed Professional Counselor |
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Varies from state to state Can often be done in conjunction with pastoral counseling training |
AAPC or state credentialing agency |
8. Do I need to go (or have gone) to seminary?
Not for level I CPE and the intern program. Seminary education is preferred for residency candidates, but we will consider equivalents which indicate serious theological reflection and education in theological issues. We will also consider equivalent the appropriate education for ordination in your faith tradition.
9. Am I eligible for a residency year of CPE?
If you have completed a Level I CPE program, have denominational endorsement or ordination, have completed a Bachelor's Degree and are close to completing an M.Div. degree or its equivalent, you will have met the basic requirements for applying for a residency program.
10. Can I work and take CPE at the same time?
Yes. The Level I Extended program is part-time and available to area clergy and other professionals who need such arrangements.
11. Do I have to be ordained for CPE?
Ordination is not required for Level I CPE, or intern programs. We prefer ordination, or evidence that you are in the process of ordination, for residency positions.12. Do CPE residents, interns, and SITs get paid?
Interns do not. Residents and SITs are paid a stipend. Call for stipend amounts.
13. What are the dates for CPE and deadlines for application?
The Summer Level I (full time) unit is 10 weeks long and usually runs from June to August. The Extended Quarter Fall (part time) unit occurs from September/October through February/March (call for specific dates).The Residency year begins in September and ends in August. Our programs are offered on a space available basis, and there is no deadline. We encourage you to call first before applying to make sure there is space.
14. What does CPE cost and are scholarships available?
Interns have a $600 tuition charge and a $50 application processing fee. Residents and SITs have a $50 processing fee and no tuition charge. Scholarships are no offered through our CPE Center, and, currently, there are no scholarship programs at the national level.
15. Can I get academic credit for CPE?
Many theological schools and seminaries grant academic credit for CPE. You should contact them directly for this information.
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16. 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.
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17. Can I take CPE on-line or through some other distance learning process?
No. ACPE currently does not have any distance learning programs.
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18. How can I become a member of ACPE?
There is a Student Affiliate level of membership with ACPE. Membership with ACPE allows you the opportunity to participate in the National and Regional conferences, a subscription to The Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling, and the ACPE News, our bi-monthly newsletter. For an ACPE membership form, click here: ACPE Membership Application
19. Do you provide housing for your students?
No. We do not provide housing for CPE students. Please refer to the Blue Ridge Apartment Council or UVa's Housing Division for more information.
Have a question that's not listed here? Please fill out our Information Request Form , or contact chaplaincy@virginia.edu