The Clinical Pastoral Education program offers participants the opportunity to minister with people who are as diverse as the problems they face. CPE students receive preparation for general congregational work, as well as ministries in chaplaincy.
Baystate Medical Center is accredited by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE, Inc.) to offer the following CPE programs:
- Level I CPE addresses basic competencies and issues of pastoral reflection, information, identity and functioning in one or more units of CPE.
- Level II CPE addresses advanced competencies and issues of pastoral function, reflection and integration.
- Supervisory CPE addresses the competencies and issues of supervising and educating qualified persons in the theory and practice of supervision of Clinical Pastoral Education.
The general curriculum consists of pastoral ministry in chronic and crisis situations; interpersonal communications seminars; clinical presentations of verbatims and case studies; interdisciplinary didactics; participation in team meetings, discharge planning, and worship leadership. Each student is assigned corresponding inpatient and outpatient clinical settings, and rotates on-call responsibility with staff chaplains.
Summer Program
An intensive unit assists students with development of their personal and pastoral identity and growth of their professional competence in ministry.
Extended Program
A part-time program assists students with clergy and selected lay professionals in learning new skills in ministry and exploring a new career in ministry. The program begins in October and ends in April.
Yearlong Residency
A yearlong program in which students can develop their pastoral skills and identity, and complete the CPE requirements for professional certification. Begins the first workday in September and continues through August 31. First and second year fellowships are offered, with a second year to include an area of specialization.
Supervisory Residency
A yearlong program to prepare supervisory students for certification with the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education. Appointment may be renewed annually until certification.
Admission Requirements
- All applicants: Completed CPE application and recommendation.
- Summer/Extended applicants: Bachelor's degree from accredited college/university or equivalency in studies and experience.
- Yearlong applicants: M.Div. degree or equivalent, previous CPE preferred, and interview by MDACC Admissions Committee.
- Supervisory applicants:
- M.Div. degree or equivalent
- Previous ministry experience, including at least 4 units of CPE (congregational experience preferred)
- Meeting of CPE Level II outcomes
- Membership in ACPE
- Consultation (specified in ACPE Certification Manual)
Deadlines
We are on open admissions. There is no formal application deadline, but the following dates are suggested:
Summer: December 1
Extended: August 1
Yearlong Residency: February 1
Supervisory: TBA
International applicants will need to apply six months earlier. Please refer to the ACPE Guide for International Students.
Time Requirements
All full-time students are scheduled for a 40-hour work week. They are responsible for overnight in-house, on-call weeknight and weekend coverage. Compensation time is negotiable.
Parking and meals are provided.
This CPE Program is accredited by:
The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
1549 Clairmont Road, Suite 103,
Decatur, GA 30033
Telephone (404) 320-1472; Facsimile: (404) 320-0489
ACPE E-mail:acpe@acpe.edu
Webpage:www.acpe.edu
