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. Please email spiritualcare@gundersenhealth.org if you'd like to request a 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 mature pastoral care providers.

Programs include:

Yearlong residency (Preferred - 1 credit of prior CPE)
Summer intensive unit
Extended unit
Certified Educator Candidate Training Program

Students serve in the hospital, 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 30, 2023 and ending Aug. 11, 2023.

CPE residency level I and level II

Five to six positions are available beginning Aug. 21, 2023, for a 12-month plus one week residency comprised of three four-month terms. Clinical assignments are in our Level II trauma center and hospital setting with possible hospice placement. Preferred successful completion of one CPE unit. Consult the program brochure for benefit details.

Extended CPE

Four to seven positions are available for part-time CPE. The class meets virtually on Fridays from 7:45 a.m. - noon from October through April, with the exception of orientation during the first two weeks when students will meet, in-person, on Thursdays and Fridays from 7:45 a.m. – 4 p.m. Other in-person meetings will be scheduled, as needed, throughout the unit. Each student 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. 6, 2022 -April 28, 2023.

Please email spiritualcare@gundersenhealth.org to request a 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.