Programs

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is a method of learning pastoral care in clinical settings under supervision. The curriculum emphasizes small group sharing of ministry cases to bring theological and behavioral science concepts together in understanding patients, oneself, families and heath care systems. CPE students learn to integrate pastoral skills, self-awareness and interpersonal skills toward developing a pastoral identity while providing pastoral care in various clinical settings.

The program, open to seminarians, clergy, and qualified lay persons, is conducted within a mission oriented culture that values compassionate care and reverence for the spirituality of each person.

Chaplain Residency Program:

• One year (3 units of CPE) full-time temporary employment Residency Program;
• One (1) fifteen (12 or 15) hour on-call overnight shift per week (part of the 30 hours);
• Annual stipend of $45,000, plus benefits

Admission Requirements

• Masters level degree in theology, or an Mdiv or an equivalent level of education
• Invited to participate after an admissions screening interview
• Be ordained or commissioned to function in ministry by an appropriate religious authority as determined by ACPE
• Submit signed copies of final evaluations (Student’s and Certified Educator’s) for at least one (1) unit of CPE, indicating successful achievement of Level I outcomes

The Fall Extended Unit:

• Ten (10) hours per week of clinical care of patients, families and staff at Saint Francis Hospital (Flexed to meet students’ individual schedules);
• Two (2) ten-twelve (10-12) hours on-call overnight shifts per month;
• Five (5) hours of formal class time each week (Wednesdays from 12:45 - 6:30 pm);
• One (1) additional hour, every other week for individual supervision

The Spring Extended:

• Eight (8) hours per week of clinical care of patients, families and staff at Saint Francis Hospital (Flexed to meet students’ individual schedules);
• Ten (10), fifteen (15) hour, on-call overnight shifts over the length of the unit;
• Five (5) hours of formal class time each week (Tuesdays from 12:45 - 6:30 pm);
• One (1) additional hour, every other week for individual supervision

The Summer Unit:

• Thirty (30) hours per week of clinical care of patients, families and staff at Saint Francis Hospital (Flexed to meet students’ individual schedules);
• One (1) fifteen (12 or 15) hour on-call overnight shift per week (part of the 30 hours);
• Five (9) hours of formal class time each week ;
• One (1) additional hour, every week for individual supervision

Admission Requirements

Saint Francis Hospital/ Trinity Health Of New England CPE program follows the standards and guidelines of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. To be considered for admission to an Extended CPE program, applicants must complete and submit the following:

• Complete the ACPE application and essay questions
• Submit three letters of reference
• Submit application fee of $35, payable to Saint Francis Hospital CPE

You must be:

• Be a high school graduate or possess a GED
• Invited to participate after an admissions screening interview
• Able to engage in intra and interpersonal reflective learning

NOTE: Ordination by a faith community or commission to function in ministry by an appropriate religious authority is preferable.

Program learning and service expectations:

• Provide pastoral and spiritual care to patients as assigned
• Share on-call call duty with staff and peers
• Participate in all educational sessions, including:
  • Verbatim
  • Seminars
  • Patient-care conferences
  • Inter-Personal Relations (IPR) groups
  • Didactic seminars
  • Role-play seminars
  • Individual supervision
  • Designing and leading worship services when on-call on Sundays (Chaplain Residency)

Written activities

• Learning agreement
• Verbatim
• Mid-unit evaluations
• Reflection reports
• Theology/Spiritual Paper (Summer Unit)
• Final evaluation
• Other assignments (Chaplain Residency) 

Cost

• Nonrefundable application fee – $35
• Nonrefundable deposit at acceptance – $100
• Tuition – $800 (less deposit) is due the first day of the program, payable to St Francis CPE
• Limited financial assistance is available for qualified program participants. To request assistance, please complete the Application for Financial Assistance.

Note: The Extended and Summer Unit Programs are volunteer programs. Applicants must pass a criminal background check and complete all requirements of the Saint Francis Hospital Volunteer Department.