Internship Course Objectives
The objectives of the CPE Extended Unit Program are fivefold: We seek to
provide students with an opportunity for vocational discernment and reflection;
to assist them in building both a foundation in spiritual care skills
and knowledge sufficient to allow them to minister to a broad range of
patients, their families, and staff; to increase self-awareness as it
relates to the art of pastoral ministry; to engage in the practice and
understanding of the clinical method of learning; and/or, if applicable,
to prepare for a vocation in professional chaplaincy. Crucial to this
process is the awareness of one’s strengths and growing edges in
ministry. Through individual and group supervision, students will be invited
to explore how their personhood informs their style of ministry. Students
will be asked to articulate the theological themes of their ministry and
to develop spiritual assessments of their pastoral encounters. Given the
context of the hospital setting, students will be confronted with the
inevitable social and structural dimensions of health care as well as
issues of economic status, race, gender, family systems and religious
diversity—all of which will provide the context and content for
reflection in group and individual supervision and educational seminars.
Participation in Ministry
One unit of CPE consists of at least 100 hours of structured education
and up to 300 hours of supervised clinical practice for a total of at
least 400 hours. In order to receive credit for the unit, students spend
an average of 12 hours per week in direct ministry to patients, families
and staff, and at least five hours per week in structured educational
activities. In addition to ministry on assigned clinical placements, students
participate once per month in the 24-hour call-duty rotation on weekends
and holidays and possible overnights. Call-duty is an essential element
of supervised learning that provides opportunity for spiritual care in
a variety of settings including ministry during trauma and code situations,
supportive care to the dying, ministry at time of death and grief support.
Apply to Program
Admission Requirements
Qualifications
-
Education: A master’s Ddegree (M.Div. or M.A. in Theology; or an equivalent
degree in other related disciplines) from an accredited college, university
or theological seminary or institute. Completed or well in progress is
preferred.
-
Licensure/Certification: Ordination and/or endorsement by an established faith tradition or religious
superior is preferred as evidence of good standing within a faith group.
-
Other Qualifications:
- The CPE extended unit student will have a proven aptitude for interpersonal
work, sound mental/emotional health, and the ability to minister in cross-cultural,
interfaith settings. This includes the capacity to consistently establish
and maintain relationships, to be open to learning, change and growth
and an openness to developments in faith and theology, spiritual and personal
growth, outreach through compassion and justice. It also includes the
capacity to endure at least moderate amounts of organizational stress
with a flexibility and openness to rapid change in acute care hospital-based
ministry. Strong written and interpersonal skills are required as well
as the ability to actively listen and project an open, nonjudgmental attitude
toward all people of diverse ethnic, social, cultural and spiritual traditions.
- Previous experience in ministry in pastoral care and/or health care settings
is preferred.
- Completed ACPE application submitted with an application fee of $50 payable
to Providence Portland Medical Center CPE Program.
- International applicants are expected to have a U.S. Visa in place prior
to applying to the program.
Program Expectations
The CPE extended unit student is expected to:
- Actively participate in all aspects of the clinical pastoral education program.
- Share clinical rotations with peers, other students, permanent staff, providing
spiritual care to patients on assigned units.
- Participate in the on-call rotation, including weekends and holidays, and
possible overnight rotation.
- Complete written assignments such as verbatim reports, reflection papers,
evaluations of each CPE unit and other assignments as required.
Costs
- Application fee: $50.
- Non-refundable down payment fee at acceptance: $150.
- Tuition: $625 per unit of CPE (less down payment) is due the first day
of the unit.
