WHAT KINDS 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.
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.
HOW MAY I ENROLL IN CPE?
Look at our
Forms page for
application forms. Also see our online directory.
Obtain a Directory of ACPE Centers and an application form from the nearest
CPE center, regional director, theological seminary, or the
ACPE
National Office.
Arrange an interview with an ACPE supervisor or other person approved by the centers to
which you are applying.
Complete the application and mail it to the CPE centers to which you wish
to apply.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR
PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
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 CPE is your ministry with people and learning from that
ministry through reflection, discussion, and evaluation with other students and your
supervisor. In your 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 supervisor, which will provide opportunities for mutual supervision,
care giving, challenge and appreciation.
Where will you be ministering?
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. CPE may, however, be done in any setting where
ministry happens. There are a growing number of centers with innovative approaches to
ministry. Many centers are being established as Congregational or Community based models
in connection with a local church or churches. You may want to clarify with a center the
types of ministries which occur there.
A Typical Day in CPE
CPE units may be either full time or part time. Either schedule will include an
equivalent number of ministry and education hours. Some extended 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 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
supervisor 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 supervisor are also part of a 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 CPE schedule asks for active investment but also provides time for
sharing, reflection, preparation, and relaxation.
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 supervisor 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.
Beginning the Application Process
Applications for clinical pastoral education may be obtained from any of the centers,
from many seminaries, and from the National ACPE office in Decatur, Georgia. The
application form requests information about your name, address, education, and references.
You will also be asked to comprehensively describe yourself, your history, your religious
development, a helping incident, etc. Your completed application will probably be several
pages in length.
The Admissions Interview
The next step after completing your application is an admission interview. The
admission interview provides opportunity for you to ask questions and to discuss whether
centers are suited to your educational goals. It also provides time for the interviewer to
discuss your application, engage you as a person and learner, and to assess your readiness
for CPE. The interview may be held with any CPE supervisor. Many CPE Centers require an
interview at their institutions when an application is for a year-long Residency.
Seminaries frequently schedule a day when a number of supervisors are available to conduct
such interviews. There may be a fee for this interview, and you should inquire about that
when making arrangements for it. The admission interview report, prepared by the
interviewer, becomes a part of your CPE application and should be submitted along with
your application to any center to which you apply if on on-site interview was not
required.
You might be requested or prefer to schedule the admission interview with the
supervisor of the center to which you are applying, or you may wish to arrange for a
separate, informal personal interview there other than the formal admission interview.
Such a personal interview enables you to discuss first hand the particular center, its
program, and the style of the supervisor or supervisory philosophy of the center. An
admission interview report will not necessarily be prepared when you interview at the same
center to which you are applying. If you desire one, you should discuss that with the
supervisor.
Applying to a Particular Center
Some CPE programs have established educational and experience requirements which have
been found to be prerequisites for a successful CPE experience in that setting. Each
center has an admissions policy which describes such requirements. The ACPE Standards
(which can be found elsewhere on this website) also require supervisors to respond
promptly to applications and to indicate a date by which you will be notified of
acceptance or rejection. Some centers require an application fee and others require a
deposit to confirm your acceptance. The deposit to confirm your acceptance is usually
applied to the tuition for the CPE unit. You should inquire about application fees,
tuition, and deposits when making application.
