ACPE Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)

ACPE Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is an action/reflection process of theological education grounded in a person-centered approach to pastoral ministry. As a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team, the student’s education experience involves providing pastoral care to patients, families and staff. Each student participates in 24-hour on-call rotation.

In an interfaith peer group and in consultation with a certified ACPE Supervisor, the student evaluates the effectiveness of his or her style of ministry in relation to theological perspective, religious tradition, the behavioral sciences and the pastoral needs of the persons ministered to.

Each participant develops his/her own individualized contract for learning. Learning needs are taken into account in the development of the curriculum. Students in our residency program have an opportunity to gain experience at St. Vincent Charity Hospital and St. John West Shore Hospital. Or, for specialization purposes, students may stay in one facility throughout the residency. Placements are determined in consultation with the student, ACPE Supervisor and the Director of Pastoral Care.

ACPE Programs

One Year ACPE Residency (4 units)
Five full-time positions are available each year, to include Supervisory CPE.

• Available each year from September through the following September
• Yearly stipend of $21,218, including health benefits, free parking and holiday, vacation, sick leave and personal paid time off
• On-call overnight hospital rotation required
• Tuition for each unit is $400

Extended ACPE Internship (1 unit)
Six part-time positions are available each year, to include Supervisory CPE.

• Available each year from January through May
• Meets all day every Monday
• On-call overnight hospital rotation is required
• A minimum of 17 hours of clinical experience per week
• Free parking and participation in the volunteer meal program
• Tuition for one unit is $400

Summer ACPE Internship (1 unit)
Number of available positions varies each summer.

• Available June – August
• Eleven-week program of 40 hours/week
• On-call overnight hospital rotation required
• Free parking and participation in the volunteer meal program
• Tuition for one unit is $400

For More Information:

To learn more or to request an application package, contact the Pastoral Care Department, via telephone at (216) 363-3312 or write to:

The Rev. Robert McGeeney
Supervisor, Clinical Pastoral Education
St. Vincent Charity Hospital
2351 East 22nd Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44115

This program is accredited through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, 1549 Clairmont Road, Suite 103, Decatur, GA 30033. For additional CPE information, visit www.acpe.edu.