Our CPE program is taught in a 15 week semester format with self paced work during the first 3 weeks and live classroom instruction beginning in week 4 for 12 weeks of live class.
CPE is a 400 hour training program. You must participate in 100 hours of online classroom instruction and earn 300 practical or clinical hours per unit. Clinicals may be earned in a variety of settings such as Hospital, Hospice, Prison, Police/Fire, Disaster Response, Nursing Home, Counseling, Church, and others. Just talk to us and we will help you choose. And you may earn hours in multiple settings. You do not have to work only in a hospital. We believe a variety of Chaplain experiences are very beneficial to your Chaplain education.
To view options for accredited masters degrees, click here
You do not have to be an MDiv student to join our online CPE program. You may join us as long as you have a minimum of a high school education, are mature in your faith, and have two years or more of ministry experience. However, for Board Certification you will need to have a higher education.
- With a high school degree and 4 courses of CPE you may earn "Certified Chaplain."
- With a Bachelor's degree and 4 courses of CPE you may earn "Board Certified Associate Chaplains."
- With a Master's and 4 courses of CPE you may earn "Board Certified Chaplain." NOTE: Some organizations, like the Veterans Administration, require an MDiv and Board Certification.
We offer CPE courses or units 100 through 400 during each of the semesters shown. Transfer students to our CPE will need to demonstrate competency and provide a sample case study. We may accept up to 1 earned CPE course or unit provided by another institution.