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.
Our CPE program offers education for ordained and lay ministers to develop into pastoral care. Programs include:
- Yearlong residency
- 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 28, 2019 and ending August 9, 2019.
CPE residency
Five to six positions are available beginning August 19, 2019, 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. 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. Our next Extended CPE unit begins October 3, 2019 and ends March 6, 2020.
Certified Educator Candidate Training Program
One position is available as a certified educator candidate on a two-year contract for the purpose of becoming certified as a CPE educator.
Prerequisites are:
- One year of CPE
- Master of Divinity degree or equivalent
- On-site interview with CPE screening committee
- Demonstrated pastoral competence
Tuition per unit
Thanks to generous support from Gundersen Medical Foundation, tuition cost is only $200 per unit. For the 2019 Residency, third unit tuition may be waived, subject to approval.
Stipends and Benefits
2019 stipends*
- Extended — $500-$700 (subject to approval)
- Summer — $500-$700 (subject to approval)
- CPE Residency — $38,250
- Supervisory — $48,500
* All stipends subject to change based on labor laws and budget approvals.
Benefits: Tax-exempt housing allowance, days off, housing information for summer students and health insurance are available.
Faculty
- Rev. Stephan Brunelle, MDiv, ACPE Certified Educator, Clinical Manager
- Sharon Lukert, ACPE Certified Candidate Educator
- Sr. Marcia Baumert, MTS, BCC
- Rev. Christian Ricker, MDiv, BCC
- Rev. Dean Staffanson, MDiv, Hospice Chaplain
- Rev. Marvin Jonasen, MDiv
- Tara Shilts, BCC, CEC
- Thomas Harter, PhD, Clinical Ethics
- Karen Hayter, MS, RN, PhD
- Andrew Borgert, PhD, Biostatistician
- Eileen Severson, MLIS
- Jill Backbourn, RN, Caritas Coach
- Denise Nicholson, RN, Caritas Coach
Contact Spiritual Care
Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc.
One West Court Square, Suite 325
Decatur, Georgia 30030
(404) 320-1472
Fax: (404) 320-0849
Email: acpe@acpe.edu
Support CPE
Monetary contributions allow students opportunities for growth and discovery in spiritual meaning.
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