Association for Clinical Pastoral Education

Interfaith Professional Education for Ministry

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is an interfaith professional education for ministry. It brings theological students, ordained clergy, and qualified laypersons into supervised encounters with people in crisis. Intense involvement and service, engagement with patients and family members, and feedback from peers and teachers give CPE students a new awareness of themselves and those to whom they minister.

Providence St. Peter Hospital offers Accredited CPE Program

The CPE Program at Providence St. Peter Hospital is accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. and offers credit for units of CPE. One unit includes a minimum of 400 hours of clinical experience, supervision, and education. CPE students gain new perspectives on their ministry through theological reflections on real-life situations, and they develop skills through interpersonal and interprofessional relationships. We are an in-person CPE Program that values student experience in a group setting.

ACPE Certified Educator at Providence St. Peter Hospital CPE Center

The Rev. (Dr.) Betty (Beth) Echols is a retired U.S. Army Chaplain, Episcopal priest, Board Certified Chaplain, and ACPE Certified Educator (National Faculty). Beth has served across the country as an ACPE Certified Educator at various locations including Brooke Army Medical Center (San Antonio, TX), Joint Base Lewis McChord (Tacoma, WA) Madigan Army Medical Center (Tacoma, WA) and the VA Puget Sound Health Care System (Seattle, WA).

The Providence St. Peter Hospital CPE Program is committed to providing an environment for learning that fosters human growth and dignity. The instructional curriculum embodies the mission of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. as well as the Mission and core values of Providence St. Joseph Health. The educational philosophy is the clinical method of learning enriched by diversity as we strive to provide a relational learning environment that is participatory and collegial. This philosophy is congruent with the mission and core values of Providence St. Joseph Health. As we are committed to being a workplace where diversity is honored, the spirit of caregivers and patients are nurtured, and the core values of compassion, dignity, justice, excellence, and integrity guide our caring service. CPE is a proven path where students can deepen their understanding of pastoral identity, learn to work with other disciplines in the clinical setting, and embrace their role as a spiritual care provider.

Type of CPE Units Offered

We offer three CPE programs: Resident, Intensive and Extended.

• The Resident Program offers a stipend, $35,921.60 with health benefits.
• The Intensive Program runs during the summer months for 12 weeks and includes 40 hours per week. Students can participate in a wide range of clinical settings. The program includes 100 hours of formal didactic time that utilizes the broad array of education resources that make the Pacific Northwest a unique training site.
• The Extended Program is offered twice each calendar year from the last week of September through late January, and again from early February through late May. The program runs 17 weeks and includes 6 hours of class time per week and 15 hours of clinical hours per week.

Program Cost

Application Fee: $50 (non-refundable)

Deposit: $200 (non-refundable and applied towards cost of tuition)

Tuition per Unit: $700

Scholarships: We offer a limited number of tuition scholarships. Please reach out to us if you are interested in more information.

Tentative Upcoming CPE Units

Each program offers credit for One Unit of Level I or II CPE. Dates are tentative and subject to change.

Additional Resources

• Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
• ACPE CPE Application
• ACPE Frequently Asked Questions
• ACPE Admission Process