Clinical Pastoral Education

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 other settings. Through Gundersen Health System Clinical Pastoral Education (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.

Apply Today

Download the application and instructions. You can also read more in our program brochure. Once your application is complete, submit it via email to spiritualcare@gundersenhealth.org.

Application

Our CPE program offers education for ordained and lay ministers to develop into pastoral care. Programs include:

Yearlong residency (Prerequisite - 1 credit of prior CPE)
Summer intensive unit
Basic extended unit
Certified Educator Candidate Training Program

Students serve in the hospital, palliative care, hospice and other clinical settings in our community. CPE students work closely with our faculty, Gundersen Health System professionals and with a rich diversity of patients and residents.

Program information

Summer CPE

Four to six positions are available for the summer full-time unit beginning May 26, 2020 and ending Aug. 7, 2020.

CPE residency

Five to six positions are available beginning Aug. 24, 2020, for a 12-month plus one week residency comprised of three four-month terms. Possible clinical assignments are in hospice, palliative care and hospital settings. Pre-requisite 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 from mid-October through March. The class will meet Fridays from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. for orientation with the exception of the first three weeks when students will meet Fridays from 7:45 a.m. - 4 p.m. 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. Our next Extended CPE unit begins Oct. 8, 2020 through April 30, 2021. Program brochure.

Certified Educator Candidate Training Program

One position is available as a certified educator candidate (CEC) for the purpose of becoming certified as an ACPE educator.

Prerequisites include:

Successful completion of a minimum of four units of CPE.
Demonstration of spiritual care and conceptual competence as evidenced by the completion of Level I/Level II ACPE Outcomes.
Graduate theological degree or equivalent.
Ordination or commissioning to function as a spiritual care provider by an appropriate religious/spiritual authority as determined by ACPE.
Endorsement/statement of accountability from an appropriate religious/spiritual authority as determined by ACPE.
Completion of ACPE CEC application including essay questions. (set up of ACPE portfolio is not necessary to apply)

For more information, a description of the CEC educational process and the CEC application please visit the ACPE website.