Formation
Self-Awareness
Students reflect on their experiences, assumptions, emotional responses, beliefs and patterns of communication.
CPEI Education
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
Clinical Pastoral Education is experiential education for people who want to grow in spiritual care, reflective practice, compassionate presence and skilled support for others in real-life settings.
Program Overview
Hands-on formation for spiritual care and human connection
Clinical Pastoral Education combines supervised practice with guided reflection. Students learn by engaging real situations, reflecting on their responses, receiving feedback and developing the personal and professional skills needed to provide thoughtful spiritual care.
CPE supports growth in self-awareness, communication, spiritual reflection, cultural humility, ethical practice and the ability to accompany people through crisis, grief, transition and questions of meaning.
Who CPE Serves
Who is CPE for?
CPE is for people who work closely with others and want to grow in self-awareness, communication, spiritual care and compassionate presence.
It can be especially valuable for aspiring chaplains, clergy, ministry leaders, healthcare professionals, social workers, counselors, hospice workers, mental health professionals, those serving in corrections or recovery settings, first responders, community leaders and caregivers.
CPE also supports people exploring a calling to spiritual care or seeking to strengthen the work they already do in people-centered settings.
Growth & Formation
What are the benefits of CPE?
CPE helps students grow personally, spiritually and professionally. Students build confidence in caring for others, strengthen listening and communication skills and learn to respond to crisis, grief, conflict and change with greater clarity and compassion.
Students also deepen self-awareness, cultural sensitivity, spiritual reflection, ethical decision-making and the ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Vocational Pathways
Where can CPE lead?
CPE prepares people to serve in settings where spiritual, emotional and relational care matter.
These settings may include hospitals, hospice and palliative care, mental health programs, congregational ministry, correctional facilities, addiction recovery and rehabilitation programs, military and veteran settings, community chaplaincy, first responder support, disaster and crisis response, and grief or bereavement care.
CPE can support a path toward chaplaincy, strengthen ministry and caregiving roles and prepare people to serve more effectively wherever compassion, presence and skilled listening are needed.
Learning Outcomes
What Students Develop
CPE helps students integrate experience, reflection, feedback and practice so they can provide more grounded and effective spiritual care.
Practice
Spiritual Care Skills
Students develop skills in listening, presence, assessment, communication, pastoral reflection and supportive care.
Integration
Theory and Experience
Students connect theological, spiritual, behavioral, cultural and ethical perspectives with real-world care situations.
Accountability
Feedback and Evaluation
Students participate in supervision, peer learning, written reflection and evaluation to support continued growth.
Take the Next Step
Ready to explore Clinical Pastoral Education?
Learn how CPEI programs work, review the application process or contact CPEI for help identifying the educational pathway that fits your goals.