Chaplaincy Services

Clinical Pastoral Education

Memorial Hermann Healthcare System is accredited by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. (ACPE) and recognized by the Department of Education, Washington, D.C., and the American Association of Theological Schools.

To become a Board-Certified Chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains, CPE is required. Our program is a theologically based, experiential education program that equips clergy, seminarians and lay people with knowledge and skills to provide spiritual care.

Programs
How to Apply
CPE Staff

Programs

Summer CPE is a 10-week ministry and training experience. The course of study focuses on ministry formation, development and pastoral skills. It provides clinical education for theological students, clergy and lay persons. No stipend is available.

Community CPE (extended) is designed for the seminary student, local clergy or lay person who wishes to complete one or more units of training on a part-time basis. These units usually begin in September and end in May. No stipend is available.

CPE Residency is a ministry and training experience designed for the clergyperson or advanced seminarian. It provides a more in-depth learning opportunity for those wishing to increase their pastoral care skills in preparation for parish or institutional ministry. Stipends and employee benefits are provided.

Supervisory CPE Residency is a two-year residency for the clergyperson who has completed at least two years of CPE, has additional pastoral experience and is seeking certification to teach clinical pastoral education. This residency is renewable on a year-to-year basis. Stipends and employee benefits are provided.

For more information about stipends for residencies and tuition for all programs, contact CPE Registrar Mark Bolt at 713-704-4160.

The CPE residency will provide:

• A developmental perspective of human growth and personality
• Various literature and perspectives on theology and behavioral sciences in pastoral care
• The rationale and procedures for referral
• Theories and models of pastoral care and counseling

As a CPE resident, you will:

• Develop your own personality and spiritual path
• Learn how your thoughts, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors affect the way you do ministry
• Explore the relationship between your beliefs and behaviors
• Identify your weaknesses and strengths as person and pastor
• Learn to articulate and modify your goals for personal and professional development
• Fine-tune your skills and knowledge through assessment and supervision
• Cultivate effective pastoral relationships with the health care team through your emerging understanding of self
• Articulate a theological perspective congruent with your understanding of people
• Make pastoral assessments using psychological, social and faith perspectives
• Develop a pastoral plan in ministry
• Lead worship using your pastoral identity and the needs of patients and hospital staff

The CPE residency may include seminars and other learning opportunities such as:

• Bioethics
• Case conference seminars
• Death, dying and grief ministry
• Interpersonal relationship seminar (IPR)
• Multidisciplinary seminars (MDS)
• Multidisciplinary rounds
• Pastoral conversation seminars
• Theological integration seminars
• Theological and psychosocial dynamics of the human life cycle seminars
• Theological reflection seminars
• Worship and spirituality
• Verbatim seminars
• Family systems theory
• Preparation for board certification

How to Apply
(Application Fee $30)

For summer CPE:

• Send a completed ACPE application
• Send a screening interview from ACPE supervisor (or interview in Houston when possible)
• Have completed the first year of seminary (exceptions may be made for lay people)

For CPE residency and extended programs:

• Send a completed ACPE application
• Send a copy of previous CPE evaluations (student and supervisor)
• Interview with Memorial Hermann supervisors and screening committee
• Have completed or in process a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent (not required of extended CPE students)

For supervisory CPE residency:

• Send a completed ACPE application
• Send a copy of previous (student and supervisor) CPE evaluations
• Interview with Memorial Hermann supervisors and screening committee
• Have successfully completed two years of CPE
• Have completed a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent
• Have ecclesiastical endorsement

For more information and an application, contact:

The Rev. M. Susan Nance, Th.M, Director
Mark Bolt, CPE Registrar
Chaplaincy Services
Cullen Bldg., Suite 613
6411 Fannin
Houston, Texas 77030
713-704-4160, Fax 713-704-5694
E-mail:
susan.nance@memorialhermann.org
mark.bolt@memorialhermann.org

Online Registration Form