The Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. (ACPE) educates professionals and lay persons for ministry in hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, mental health centers, congregations and in other specialized settings. Through CPE, you’ll develop skills and understanding to serve people at crossroads in their lives. Some are dealing with serious illnesses; some are aging or facing new challenges; others are dealing with death.
The CPE students, whether residents, extended unit interns or summer interns, work closely with our faculty, Gundersen Lutheran healthcare professionals and with a rich diversity of patients and residents.
If you are involved in the residency program, you’ll have the opportunity for ministry at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, in various settings such as acute care, palliative care or hospice.
Gundersen Lutheran is a fully accredited ACPE center offering certified units of CPE and CPE Supervisory Training. Because of our rich diversity of learning opportunities and our outstanding faculty, our CPE program is competitive with the finest CPE programs in the United States.
Who can be a CPE student?
Ordained clergy, religious sisters and brothers, seminarians, allied health professionals, lay persons.
Current Students
Our students come from a variety of cultural and religious backgrounds. They are available to be contacted if you wish to speak with them about any of our programs. You may contact us via phone at (608) 775-3620 or (800) 362-9567, ext. 53620, or via e-mail PastoralCare@gundersenhealth.org.
Student Positions Available
Summer CPE
Four to six positions are available for the summer full-time unit beginning May 28, 2013 - Aug. 9, 2013.
CPE Residency
Five to six positions available toward the end of August 2013 for a 12-month plus one week residency comprised of 3 four-month terms. Possible clinical assignments are in hospice, palliative care and hospital settings. Prerequisite is successful completion of one CPE unit. Tax-exempt housing allowance is available for ordained CPE residents.
Extended CPE
Four to seven positions are available for part-time CPE, which meets one day per week beginning in October 2013. Normally the class will meet on Fridays with the exception of the first two weeks of orientation where students should be prepared to spend two days each week. Each member is on call at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center an average of two times each month. The program is open to clergy, seminarians and lay persons.
Supervisory Residency
One position is available as a supervisory resident on a two-year contract for the purpose of becoming certified as a CPE supervisor. Prerequisites are (1) one year of CPE; (2) graduate theological degree or equivalent; (3) on-site interview with CPE screening committee; (4) demonstrated pastoral competence.
Tuition
$200* per unit
* Gundersen Lutheran Medical Founation makes it possible for us to keep tuition costs low by supporting our program costs.
Stipends*
Extended - $500
Summer - $500
Residency - $30,300
Supervisory - $32,900
* All stipends are subject to budget approval.
Benefits
Tax-exempt housing allowance, days off, housing information for summer students and health insurance are available.
Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc.
1549 Clairmont Road - Suite 103
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4635
(404) 320-1472
Application & Instructions for Clinical Pastoral Education
Please download a PDF of the application and instructions. If you do not have the free PDF reader on your computer, please click here.