Clinical Pastoral Education
Clinical Pastoral Education – A Life-Changing Experience
Are you interested in chaplaincy? How about developing your pastoral care skills? Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) will allow you to pursue both of these goals and more.
What is CPE?
CPE is about change, transition and transformation and involves peer and individual supervision as part of the action-reflection process. CPE is designed to call forth, recognize, and strengthen an individual’s unique gifts in ministry in dialogue with one’s spiritual heritage and the behavioral sciences. The clinical learning process provides opportunities to integrate personal and professional growth during an exciting and transforming educational experience.
Is CPE Accredited?
CPEI is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Who Should Consider CPE?
Application Process
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) or Supervisory Candidate (SEC) student. All new applicants must complete the appropriate application for either Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) or Supervisory Education. Before submitting your application, there is a couple of important items you may need to obtain, identify or complete to assist you in the process.
Also, you are invited to review the term schedule and tuition in the Education Division Tab. (See below the information included under these links.
NOTE: Your CPE or SEC application cannot be acted on until it has been completed to 100%. Once your application has been completed to 100%, a CPEI Supervisor-Educator will contact you to schedule an interview. If your application is approved, you will receive an acceptance letter and an enrollment form.
Disclaimer
Clinical Pastoral Education International’s programs are designed to provide a reflective and relational learning environment in which students are expected to increase in self-awareness, be self-directed and explore one’s theological understanding as it applies and is integrated into their abilities to practice competent pastoral care and pastoral supervision.
Completing a course(s) or one of the Certificate Programs does not guarantee employment or certification as a Board-Certified Chaplain or a Supervisor-Educator. Additional requirements are included in the Certification Manual.
Click Here To Fill Out A CPE Application
New CPE Supervisory Education Application
Intensive Terms (Courses) – 12 Weeks *
| Term (2023-2024) | Start Date | End Date | Application Deadline | Student Payment Deadline |
| Fall | September 2, 3023 | November 26, 2023 | August 7, 2023 | August 28, 2023 |
| Winter | December 4, 2023 | February 25, 2024 | November 6, 2023 | November 27, 2023 |
| Spring | March 4, 2024 | May 26, 2024 | February 5, 2024 | February 26, 2024 |
| Summer | June 3, 2024 | August 25, 2024 | May 6, 2024 | May 27, 2024 |
Standard Terms (Courses) – 16 Weeks *
| Term (2023-2024) | Start Date | End Date | Application Deadline | Student Payment Deadline |
| Fall | September 4, 2023 | December 24, 2023 | August 7, 2023 | August 28, 2023 |
| Spring | January 8, 2024 | April 28, 2024 | December 11, 2023 | January 1, 2024 |
| Summer | May 6, 2024 | August 25, 2024 | April 8, 2024 | April 29, 2024 |
* All courses will begin during the first week of the term. Students enrolled in the Certificate for CPE or the Certificate for Supervisory Education are required to complete 100 hours of engagement and preparation learning and 300 internship hours.
What Does it Involve?
A unit of CPE involves participation in a clinical/ministry setting in which one provides pastoral care to individuals, couples, families, and staff.
At a minimum, the CPE participant must submit an application and, once approved, identify a clinical site. These activities must occur at least 3 weeks before the unit starts:
Are you interested in chaplaincy? How about developing your pastoral care skills? Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) will allow you to pursue both of these goals and more.
Click Here To Fill Out A CPE Application
New CPE Supervisory Education Application
Tuition and Fees
- The total amount due for each course is $1274.00.
- All student tuition and fees will be submitted through CPEI’s payment site within our learning management system, Populi.
- Tuition is due a minimum of seven days prior to the beginning of the term. Exceptions must be approved by the Administrative Assistant (adminasst@cpei.us).
- Failure to pay tuition and other fees in full is considered a drop in the course.
- Students may keep any textbooks, notebooks, handouts, or other material given to them during their time enrolled for personal use. Students are not expected to return nor pay for them.
- CPEI will deduct a one-time registration fee per course or program of no more than 20 percent of the tuition, which cannot exceed $200 maximum for any student who withdraws after five days of signing the enrollment form.
Financial Aid
CPEI does not participate in Federal Financial Aid Programs (Title IV Pell Grants, Perkins Loans, etc.) due to the extensive administrative requirements.
Financial Aid Option
CPEI does not provide financial assistance but provides an option for students who need help paying their tuition and fees upfront.
Students can apply to PayPal for credit, and there is NO interest if funds are paid in FULL in 6 months. Students can learn more about this option and apply through PayPal Credit.
IMPORTANT: Once you have been approved and received the funds from PayPal, email CPEI Registrar at adminasst@cpei.us, and an invoice will be issued for funds to be uploaded to CPEI’s Pay Pal Account.
Cancellation and Tuition Refunds
- Students must submit in writing or email to request to withdraw to the CPEI Supervisor-Educator.
- A student withdrawing within five (5) days of signing the enrollment form is eligible for a full refund of the monies paid.
- A student withdrawing after five (5) days of signing the enrollment form but before the course or program begins is entitled to a refund of all monies paid to the institution minus one-time registration fee per course or program of no more than 20 percent of the tuition, which cannot exceed $200 maximum.
- Students canceling or withdrawing after the course begins are subject to refunds based on the guidance below.
- Students may keep any textbooks, notebooks, handouts, or other material given to them during their time enrolled for personal use. Students are not expected to return nor pay for them.
- Upon learning of the students’ desire to withdraw, the Supervisor-Educator will immediately submit the following form Cancellation for Withdrawal Form
- The Registrar will cancel or withdraw the student immediately upon receiving the request and submit any refund the student is due within 30 days of request.
CPEI uses the Time-Based Refund Schedule. Refunds are calculated as outlined below.
| Length of Term | Percentage of Tuition Returned to the Student Minus the Application and/or Registration Fee AFTER | |
| 11 – 16 Weeks | After 1st Week | 80% |
| After 2nd Week | 70% | |
| After 3rd Week | 60% | |
| After 4th Week | 50% | |
| After 5th Week | 40% | |
| After 6th Week | 30% | |
| After 7th Week | 20% | |
| After 8th Week | 10% | |
| After 9th Week | 0% |
Refund Example: A student who withdraws from the CPE program after completing Week 5 is entitled to the following tuition reimbursement minus the applicable registration fee. Total Tuition paid- $1274. Registration fee deducted for program or first course withdrawal- $200. Tuition less registration fee- $1074. Refund to student: 40% of $1074 = $430.00.
Discounts/Scholarships Policy
- Any discounts allowed in CPEI or Affiliate promotional materials must be stated for a specific time related to a specific promotion. Discounts may also be allowed to specific identified groups.
- Scholarships are not available through CPEI. However, students may confer with their respective CPEI Affiliates for information regarding potential scholarships. A scholarship through an affiliate means that the affiliate will cover the tuition due by the student (either partially or completely, depending on the Affiliate scholarship available)
Truth in Lending Act Disclosure
- CPEI agrees to not disclose credit card information to anyone other than the cardholder.
- CPEI does not provide loans or extended payment plans to students.
- Tuition is expected to be paid before or within the first week of the course. No discount is provided for early payment.
What Our Customers Are Saying
“CPE has been a life-changing experience for me. It has guided me through faith formation, it has challenged me to reflect on those fears that have held me back, and it has shown me that I am enough.”
David Fisher
CPE Student
University of Kansas Medical Center
“Enrolling in CPE through the program hosted by BRG through CPEI has enabled me to take my years of serving people as a theological foundation, and built upon and transformed it to deliberate and real relational outcomes with people, transcending what I had ever accomplished through years of ministry staff and volunteer service in healthcare and church settings.”
Reverend Bruce Lininger, MA, Ph.D.
11021 Franklins Tale Loop
Austin, TX 78748
“I would like to share that Fall 2020 I attended CPEI and my Supervisor/Instructor was Scott Speight. I received so much constructive feedback from Scott and fellow students. It was enriching. As I am a naturally private person, class was a safe place to speak openly and freely which intern allowed me to grow in just my first unit of CPE. I would recommend this course for anyone and everyone in ministry even if not a “Chaplain” as it will aide you in how you look at yourself and how others may view you based on your actions in the field. I look forward to another unit soon.”
Bernard Smith
Hospice Chaplain
New England Hospice
Hingham, MA
“There is magic in the possibility of turning individuals from all over the globe who meet for a few hours a week into a group caring for one another, into a community where a safe space has been established permitting the sharing of diverse life experiences, of wounds, of professional questions and personal hurt. This community conveys a sense of being held. The groups offers a unique learning opportunity where the peer group forms a pivotal component of learning not only with one another but from one another.”
Rabbi Annabelle Herciger
“CPE-I has afforded me the great opportunity and option to finally take CPE online and do the clinical portion at the facility I work at. I had prior to this been accepted at three major teaching hospitals but could not quite navigate the on site class and clinical time and drive time to fit into my full time work. I fully believe this was all from God. Truly feel I am getting far superior education via CPEI.”
Mike Willard
Clinical Chaplain
State of NC
Pastor at Aenon Missionary Baptist.
Additional Information
Contact:
Dr. Dallas E. Speight
CPEI Executive Director
904-233-6885