Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
What is CPE?
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is theological and professional education for theological students, ordained clergy, members of religious orders and qualified laypeople. This interfaith program integrates training in a clinical setting with seminar, group process, and one-on-one work with an accredited supervisor. Consequently, CPE trainees actively serve people in crisis while strengthening their personal, professional and theological capacities through reflecting upon, understanding, and growing from the lived experience of ministry. Intensive interaction with peers, staff, seminar leaders, and the supervisor helps trainees to develop new awareness of themselves as persons and professional pastoral care providers.
CPE at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
The Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. The Department of Pastoral Care and Education at BIDMC provides Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) programs for Levels 1 and 2, which is accredited by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE).
Our CPE programs are intended to meet the needs of clergy in active ministry, seminary students and selected laypersons who wish to:
- Enhance their sense of pastoral identity
- Develop their capacity for theological reflection
- Improve their pastoral ministry skills
- Deepen their own spirituality
CPE at BIDMC is offered three times each year – (1) a full-time Summer Unit (late May – mid August) and two Extended Units: (2) Fall Extended Unit (late August – December); and (3) Spring Extended Unit (early January - May).
CPE Units Offered:
Spring Extended Unit: Program runs from early-January till May (18 weeks).
Summer Intensive Unit: Program runs from late May till mid-August.
Fall Extended Unit: Program runs from late August till December (18 weeks).
