Question 1

What is Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)?

Accepted Answer

Click this link for detailed information

Question 2

How do I apply?

Accepted Answer

You may review the information on this website and download the ACPE application.  If you have any questions, please email Foundations Registrar. Submit your application packet to Foundations CPE Center.

Question 3

When should I apply?

Accepted Answer

Foundations’ CPE programs occur on a rolling basis. You apply for units at any time.

Question 4

What degrees are required for entry to the CPE Program?

Accepted Answer

​Foundations does not require a master’s degree to complete the CPE program. However, many applicants will have earned or are pursuing a master’s degree in theology, divinity, religion or an equivalent.

Question 5

Do I have to be ordained to do CPE?

Accepted Answer

No. However, many applicants are ordained, endorsed, in good standing within their respective faith traditions. If you needing to be ordained, we can help with that. Send us an email at Foundations CPE Center.

Send us an email to contact@FoundationsCPEcenter.org

Question 6

May I receive academic credit for CPE?

Accepted Answer

Many theological schools and seminaries grant academic credit for CPE.

Please contact them directly for this information.

Question 7

I want to be a chaplain or a pastoral counselor. Do I need CPE?

Accepted Answer

The Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) and the National Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC) The National Association of Veterans Affairs Chaplains (NAVAC), and other organizations certify chaplains. Some CPE is required as a prerequisite. Please directly contact these organizations about their requirements. If you are needing to be ordained, we can help with that. Send us an email at Foundations CPE Center.

Question 8

Can my previous work/ministry experience count for CPE credit?

Accepted Answer

No. However, your previous work/ministry experience will be considered in your application process for entry into the program. Please visit ACPE FAQs for additional information.

Question 9

What does a CPE unit entail?

Accepted Answer

A unit of CPE is comprised of 400 hours. (See ACPE, “Defining a Unit of CPE”)

“A unit includes a minimum of 100 hours of structured group and individual education (time spent in didactics, group, and individual supervision) and a minimum of 250 hours of supervised clinical practice in spiritual care. While individual programs must meet these minimum hour requirements, they may utilize the remaining 50 hours as best supports their program.”

Question 10

What is Online CPE?

Accepted Answer

Each program unit is a 23-week program which means each CPE student must complete 11-14 clinical hours and 4-7 education hours per week. Groups will meet per a collaborative agreement with the primary CPE Certified Educator (CE). Group meeting times allow for flexibility and adaptability for students to have the opportunity to accomplish a CPE while being able to maintain their primary means of income in support of one’s family. Units will meet for 3-4 hours depending upon the agreement with the primary educator. Students will also meet with the CE every other week for individual supervision. Students also have some asynchronous coursework to complete that takes 3-4 hours per week.

Question 11

Do Foundations CPE Students have to travel to the CPE Center?

Accepted Answer

No, Foundations is a 100% virtual learning program. Students may, however, wish to connect with peers and their educator can elect to meet in person to connect and build their personal relationship with one another.

Question 12

So, if the program is virtual, where do Foundations CPE Students conduct their ministry?

Accepted Answer

Foundation CPE students find local places to do ministry. The breadth and depth of ministry contexts developed by CPE students is inspiring and phenomenal. There are no limits as to where CPE students can imagine and conduct ministry. For example, students can use their local faith institution, local hospitals, rehabilitation centers, adult care centers, military units, funeral homes, non-profit organization, and any other context where the student can envision ministry. Traditional brick and mortar CPE centers require students to quit their job or reduce work hours to volunteer at a hospital or institution to learn the art of spiritual care. For Foundations, as noted in the history, this is an issue of justice and equity. Foundations CPE Center was created to provide an accessible opportunity for folks who wish to gain the experience, knowledge, and training in spiritual care but who cannot quit their jobs as they obtain quality CPE education.

Question 13

Who teaches the online unit?

Accepted Answer

Each CPE unit has a dedicated, ACPE Certified Educator who serves as the primary educator for students enrolled in the unit.

Question 14

Where can I do ministry?

Accepted Answer

Homeless shelters, courthouse, church, police dept, fire department adult day care, hospice, schools, long-term rehabilitation centers/hospital, behavioral health settings, and the list goes on. APPLY HERE

Question 15

Who Oversees Online CPE Students' Onsite Ministry?

Accepted Answer

​Each online CPE student has an onsite Administrator who is responsible for contractual agreement with the student-center-ministry site.  Each CPE student will also have an onsite preceptor. The preceptor will be negotiated with the certified educator and clinical placement site in advance of the start date of the unit. The preceptor will orient students to the placement site and are available to support the student throughout the unit.

Question 16

How much does online CPE cost?

Accepted Answer

​Tuition costs for online CPE vary. Several programs charge as much as $5000 per unit, while others charge the same amount as in-person CPE. The tuition cost of unit varies due to the progressive curriculum of ACPE accredited units.

Question 17

Why does online CPE cost more than traditional CPE?

Accepted Answer

The cost of CPE tuition takes numerous factors into account. Traditional CPE students typically provide a full-time or 15-20 hours minimum in-person service to the institution. The in-house service by students provides a value that accounts for lower tuition. Likewise, most traditional CPE centers require students to serve as on-call chaplains which also provides a cost-saving service for the center, which also lowers the cost of tuition. In traditional enters, the CPE faculty is paid by the center where the students will provide the service. Whereas, in virtual programs the center pays the faculty to supervise students who provide service to another institution. Online CPE programs charge more for tuition to buy back the educator's time.

Question 18

How Effective is Online CPE?

Accepted Answer

The effectiveness of online CPE compared to in-person CPE is difficult to gauge because neither one has been research to any great extent. Researchers in other related professions such as counselor education and psychology have studied online clinical supervision and note it as effective, in some ways, more effective than traditional in-person clinical supervision. Online CPE needs more research before a definitive answer can be claimed.