Clinical Pastoral Education Program

Clinical pastoral education (CPE) is an interfaith educational program that provides training to the next generation of spiritual providers. Our spiritual care team engages, empowers and educates everyone involved in the healing process to deliver holistic, patient-sensitive care. CPE is nationally recognized as the highest standard for pastoral care education in a clinical setting.

The CPE program at The University of Kansas Health System provides professional training for all people interested in serving the spiritual needs of patients. The program is accredited by Clinical Pastoral Education International (CPEI). CPEI is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CPEI is accredited by International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. CPEI is an active member of COMISS Network, which serve as the preeminent network of professional organizations, institutions and faith communities that promotes and supports collaboration among its member organizations that are committed to the theological and clinical education and the competent practice of interfaith spiritual care through chaplaincy and pastoral counseling and research in specialized settings.

How to apply

CPE training provides professional development for all people interested in serving spiritual needs. As part of this curriculum, interns and residents provide pastoral care to patients, families and hospital staff while working toward certification as clinical chaplains.

Graduate-level education
Our CPE program offers graduate-level education to prepare students to become certified chaplains. In addition, many seminaries and graduate schools issue academic credit to students who complete CPE units. Completed units may also be presented in a resume when seeking a call in specialty ministries such as hospice care, prison ministry or hospital and military chaplaincy.

Curriculum and credit
Each unit of CPE has a required minimum of 400 working hours, including 100 hours in a formal classroom setting. In 1 year, students accepted into the chaplain resident program will earn 4 units of CPE, the minimum requirement for board certification. Students will have clinical hours with inpatients in care areas including burn, trauma, cancer and cardiology. Hours also include visiting outpatients.

In addition to class and clinical time, students will:

• Work with multidisciplinary teams
• Write and present reflection papers and projects
• Attend didactic seminars
• Present case studies
• Lead worship
• Serve on call at night and on weekends
• Have the opportunity for individual supervision from a seasoned leader

Residency program

Our residency program is a 12-month, full-time program that includes benefits and a competitive stipend. In 1 year, students will earn 4 units of CPE, the minimum requirement for board certification. Our resident year begins in June.

Each trainee is assigned to a number of floors and units, providing an opportunity to experience the full range of care settings in a modern facility. Students are required to provide 24 hours of on-call coverage for the hospital.

Admission requirements

• Completed application
• $475 tuition and fees per unit
• Documentation of relationship with a faith community
• A minimum of an associate degree (or equivalent), with graduate theological degree preferred
• 1 prior unit of CPE
• Ability to provide ministry
• Readiness for learning
• Commitment to 1 year of full-time clinical residency

For those with questions about our CPE residency program, or who are interested in learning more, email CPE@KUMC.edu.

Application deadline: May 30

Internship program

We offer 3 unpaid internships throughout the year beginning in August, January and May. Completing a 16-week course of CPE earns the participant 1 unit of CPE. The program requires the participant to work 1 16-hour, overnight, on-call shift per week. In addition to that, interns attend a 4-hour seminar each week and do an additional 4 hours of clinical work.

Admission requirements

• Completed application
• $475 tuition and fees per unit
• Documentation of relationship with a faith community
• A minimum of 2 years of college preferred
• Ability to provide ministry
• Readiness for learning
• Commitment to 1 unit (400 hours) of full-time clinical service and learning

• Fulfilling an ordination requirement, seminary credit, ministry or counseling practicum
• Ministry direction or discernment
• Processing ministry issues
• Becoming a certified chaplain
• Enhancing care skills

All applicants are required to complete the CPE application. Please enter responses directly into the fields provided. You can then save your completed document using your last name and submit to:

Note: Clinical Pastoral Education International’s programs are designed to provide a reflective and relational learning environment in which students are expected to experience an increase in self-awareness, be self-directed and explore one’s theological understanding as it applies to and is integrated into their abilities to practice competent pastoral care and pastoral supervision.

Completing a course (or courses) or a certificate program does not guarantee employment or credentialing as a board-certified chaplain or a supervisor-educator. Additional requirements are included in CPEI’s Credentialing Manual.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer without regard to a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age (40 or older), disability, veteran status or genetic information.