Master/Doctoral

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Level One is an introductory, experiential program focused on professional education for ministry through supervised clinical practice. Course description: Clinical Pastoral Education Level I introduces students to the practice of spiritual care and clinical settings, such as hospitals, hospices, and other healthcare environments, as well as ministry to the incarcerated. This interface program brings participants – typically theological students and those preparing for ministry – into supervised encounters with people experiencing crisis, illness, grief, or other life challenges. Through hands-on ministry, reflective practice, peer feedback, and guidance from board-certified chaplains and supervisory educators, students develop a foundational awareness of themselves as caregivers, deepen their understanding of theological and psychosocial dynamics and caregiving, build basic competencies, and provide spiritual support. The program emphasizes the action – reflection – action model: students engage in direct pastoral care. (Minimal 210 Clinical hours), reflect on these experiences through written forums; these are verbatim accounts of pastoral interactions, case studies, group seminars, individual supervision, and didactic sessions, totaling approximately 190 educational hours for a total of at least 400 hours per unit. Learning occurs in a small peer group where participants provide mutual support, critique, and insight. Key focus areas include pastoral formation: exploring personal identity, religious heritage, self-awareness, and how life experiences shape one's approach to ministry.

Pastoral competence: developing foundational skills in initiating pastoral relationships, active listening, empathetic presence, spiritual assessment, and appropriate interventions in crises.

Pastoral reflection: using theological reflection, behavioral sciences, and feedback to integrate experience with faith, enhancing self-understanding, and relational dynamics.

At the end of CPE Level I, students typically achieve outcomes such as articulating their pastoral identity, recognizing personal strengths and growth areas, providing basic spiritual care, and reflecting critically on ministry encounters. Successful completion of level I outcomes prepares students for advanced training. This course fosters personal and professional growth in a supportive, diverse learning community open to participants from various faith traditions. It is ideal for those seeking to enhance pastoral skills, explore chaplaincy, or integrate care into their ministry.

This course is designed to assist in and encourage the study of the Holy Scriptures. This course is not designed or intended to indoctrinate in the beliefs of any denomination or group but rather to direct the student to the Bible as their only source for doctrine.

Each unit consists of unit and lesson introductions, teacher outline, reading assignments and exams for each lesson. Questions in each lesson come from the information contained in the unit and lesson introductions and from the assigned reading. This course operates through the offerings of our students and supporters.