What is CPE?CPE is interfaith professional education for ministry. CPE brings theological students and ministers of all faiths (pastors, priests, rabbis, imams and others) into supervised encounters 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. A Typical Day in CPEYou will discover that a CPE schedule asks for active investment but also provides time for sharing, reflection and preparation. Other typical sessions are didactic seminars in which discussion follows a lecture, book or article; exploration of theological concerns; peer group meetings or interpersonal group sessions for mutual sharing, support and exploration of relationship concerns; and worship or sharing occasions with opportunity for spiritual nurture. Periodic field trips, workshops and clinical observations may be included. Evaluation experiences with other students and your supervisor are also part of a CPE program and may be scheduled at the end of a unit, midway to assess learning objectives, and, at other times, such as with the other care providers in your ministry area. CPE as a Part of Theological Education & Career PreparationClinical Pastoral Education (CPE) serves as a part of one's preparation for parish ministry, chaplaincy, lay ministry, teaching, and counseling. One unit of CPE has numerous professional applications. 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. 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 with membership in the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education have graduate degree programs which combine academic study and CPE Supervisory CPE. Useful LInksSpiritual Care Services, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Association of Professional Chaplains Clinical Pastoral Curriculum Information National Associations of Catholic Chaplains Pacific Region of ACPE National Association of Jewish Chaplains |