Clinical Pastoral Education

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on a question below to learn the answer:

• What is Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)?
• What will CPE prepare me to do?
• What are the eligibility requirements?
• Is the Scott & White CPE program accredited?
• What is ACPE?
• Are there any fees?
• Is a stipend provided?

What is Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)?

CPE is professional theological education for ministry. It brings theological students, ministers and lay persons into supervised encounters with persons in crisis. Out of intense involvement with persons in need and feedback from peers and supervisors, students develop new self-awareness and deeper appreciation for the needs of those to whom they minister. From theological reflection they gain new understanding of the human situation.

With the interdisciplinary team process of helping persons, students develop skills in interpersonal and interprofessional relationships. Through pastoral practice, written case studies and verbatims, individual supervision, seminar participation and relevant reading, students are encouraged to develop genuine caring pastoral relationships. Through viewing complicated life situations from different viewpoints, students are able to gain new insights and understanding about the human situation. Theological reflection is important in CPE as pastoral people seek ways to integrate theology with life experience.

CPE was conceived by Dr. Richard C. Cabot as a method of learning pastoral practice in a clinical setting under supervision. The Rev. Anton Boisen enlarged the concept to include a case study method of theological inquiry - a study of the "living human document." As CPE developed, other CPE leaders expanded CPE to integrate into pastoral practice and a knowledge of medicine, psychology, and behavioral sciences. Today many supervisors emphasize the importance of pastoral relationship being formed through an integration of personal history, behavioral theory and method, and spiritual development.

Essential elements in CPE include:

• An accredited ACPE center ready to receive students
• Certified ACPE supervisors to provide pastoral supervision
• A small group of peers engaged in a common learning experience and providing pastoral care to people in crisis
• Detailed reporting of pastoral practice
• A specific time period
• Individual learning contracts

What will CPE prepare me to do?

CPE develops the capacity for the pastoral and spiritual care of individuals, families and systems. CPE serves as a part of one's preparation for parish ministry, chaplaincy, lay ministry, teaching and 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.

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What are the eligibility requirements?

Pastors, seminary students or lay people with an interest in ministry are eligible for enrollment in a CPE program. Candidates applying for the year-long residency must have a bachelors degree and have completed or are pursuing a Master of Divinity or equivalent. Residency candidates must have finished one unit of CPE.

More eligibility requirements »

Is the Scott and White CPE program accredited?

Yes, Scott & White CPE Center is accredited through the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. (ACPE) to offer Level I, Level II and Supervisory CPE.

What is ACPE?

The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. (ACPE) is a nationally recognized agency that sets standards, certifies supervisors and accredits programs and centers.

ACPE is a multicultural, multifaith organization devoted to providing education and improving the quality of ministry and pastoral care offered by spiritual caregivers of all faiths through the clinical educational methods of Clinical Pastoral Education.

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Are there any fees?

To apply for any of the programs offered, there is a $25 non-refundable application fee. If accepted into a program, there is a non-refundable deposit of $75.

For each program, the student is assessed tuition.

Summer Internship:	$500
Extended CPE Program:	$500 for clinical placement in Scott & White $750 for clinical placement outside of Scott & White
Residency:	None

Is a stipend provided?

The year-long residency program offers a stipend of $25,000 plus benefits. Included in the benefit package are registration expenses for approved meetings or conferences, health coverage and paid time off for vacation, illness and education leave.

The summer internship and the extended CPE program do not offer stipends.

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