Clinical Pastoral Education

The Sisters of Charity Health System offers accredited programs of training through the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE). As an ACPE System we offer programs at two components and one satellite program. The information on this page is for the ACPE program at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center our component in Cleveland, Ohio. If you are interested in our other program sites please e-mail Rev. Deborah Damore for information about our satellite program in Akron, Ohio, or Sr. Mary Rae Waller, OP for information about our program in Columbia, South Carolina.

ACPE 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. In an interfaith peer group and in consultation with a certified ACPE Supervisor, students evaluate 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 or her own individualized contract for learning. Learning needs are taken into account in the development of the curriculum. Students in our ACPE programs have an opportunity to gain experience at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center and St. John Medical Center in Westlake, Ohio.

ACPE Programs at the St. Vincent Charity Medical Center

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 $22,400, including health benefits, free parking and holiday, vacation, sick leave and personal paid time off
• Tuition for each unit is $450

Extended ACPE Internship (1 unit)

Six part-time positions are available each year, to include Supervisory ACPE.

• Available each year from January through May
• Meets all day every Monday
• A minimum of 16 hours of clinical experience per week
• Free parking and participation in the volunteer meal program
• Tuition for one unit is $450

Summer ACPE Internship (1 unit)

Number of available positions varies each summer.

• Available June — August
• Eleven-week program of 40 hours/week
• Free parking and participation in the volunteer meal program
• Tuition for one unit is $450

For More Information:

For application, consult the ACPE website and for more information about our programs email the Pastoral Education Department, call (216) 363-3384 or write to:

The Rev. Robert McGeeney, D.Min.
ACPE Supervisor
Sisters of Charity Health System
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 ACPE information, visit www.acpe.edu.