Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is a unique experience of transformational learning. We teach to the Common Qualifications and Competencies, formerly known as the common standards of Chaplaincy, established by the Board Certified Chaplain Institute (BCCI). Our campus teaches within an unapologetically Biblical Christian worldview. We prepare our graduates to serve all people, love all people, to listen to understand rather than to prescribe, and to live non-judgmental or condemning lives. We offer CPE to spiritual professionals and theological students seeking professional growth and development in clinical pastoral settings. CPE students learn through action-reflection instructional methods and supervised practice in real-world settings to provide pastoral services to persons in crisis.
Practical experience, also referred to as "Clinical Hours" may be earned in a variety of settings. No longer are CPE students required to earn experience only in a hospital setting. We can approve clinical hours in a variety of ministry settings not limited to Hospitals. It can include disaster response, first responders, jail and prison, homeless shelters, workplace environment, addiction recovery, a church, a college or seminary, and more. Any combination of ministry in a local setting can be approved for the practical experience required.
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is provided through four levels, or units of hands-on learning, clinical supervision, and academic study. CPE is specifically designed for students who are chaplain or pastoral care interns, or ministry students at the bachelor’s level or higher who wish to become more effective at the ministry of presence and spiritual care.
Each CPE Unit builds on the previous module. Each will include 100 hours of academic instruction and 300 hours of practical experience. The Association of Biblical Higher Education has approved CPE taught by our campus for up to 6 hours of Master's level credit per unit. Hours can be earned in a variety of settings as an intern, staff member, or a lay volunteer. We offer three semesters each year (Winter, Summer, Fall). Each semester is 15 weeks long. Actual CPE classroom instruction is 12 weeks.
Weekly customized and gospel centered life coaching is included in our courses. Through coaching and supervision, we help our students answer the most important question any Christian can ask, which is, "If I became the person God created me to be, what would that look like?"
Students include both clergy, such as Ordained Chaplains and Pastors, and non-clergy, such as lay volunteers and college or seminary students who wish to serve people in their congregations and surrounding community.
Obtaining all four levels of CPE may, along with the appropriate level of accredited education and experience, provide you with opportunity to become Board Certified in Chaplaincy or Pastoral Care.
See our description of possible certification levels by clicking here.
