Clinical Pastoral Education
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is an interfaith professional education for spiritual care and ministry.
The CPE learning process brings theological students, laity, and ministers of all faith traditions into supervised encounters with persons in crisis. Out of an intense involvement with persons in need, and the feedback from peers and educators/supervisor(s), students develop new and increased awareness of themselves as persons and of the needs of those whom they serve. From theological reflection on specific human situations, they gain a new understanding of ministry. CPE equips students with interpersonal, counseling and crisis ministry skills that are crucial for ministry in healthcare, parish, community, and other settings.
IU Health Spiritual Care & Chaplaincy Services offers all levels of CPE training and is accredited through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE). ACPE is nationally recognized as an accrediting agency in the field of clinical pastoral education by the U.S. Department of Education. Each unit of CPE requires 400 hours of education, including a combination of clinical and structured instructional experiences.
We welcome persons of all faith traditions from a variety of ministry and helping roles who are seeking to develop their knowledge and skills as spiritual care providers.
Beginning in Methodist Hospital, University Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children, CPE at IU Health has grown to include 5 CPE Component Sites located throughout central Indiana:
- IU Health Academic Health Center (Indianapolis - IU Health Methodist, IU Health University and Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health)
- IU Health Arnett (Lafayette)
- IU Health Bloomington (Bloomington)
- IU Health North (Carmel)
- IU Health West (Avon)
- IU Health Ball Memorial (Muncie)
Acceptance to the CPE Residency and Fellowship programs is contingent upon successful completion of all IU Health Human Resources employment requirements.
IU Health Application
Acceptance to the CPE Residency and Fellowship programs is contingent upon successful completion of all IU Health Human Resources employment requirements.
IU Health Application
Acceptance to the CPE Residency and Fellowship programs is contingent upon successful completion of all IU Health Human Resources employment requirements.
We are currently accepting applications and interviewing for all units.
*As you are considering our program and applying, please be aware, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital (Muncie) is a clinical placement site only.
For more information and to apply, please email IU Health Spiritual Care & Chaplaincy Services at cpeinfo@iuhealth.org or call 317.962.6952.
Please email completed applications to cpeinfo@iuhealth.org.
Summer Intensive CPE Unit
This full-time unit requires 40 hours each week, Monday – Friday, and includes clinical rounding, class sessions, individual supervision and regular weekend and evening on-call shifts. This course runs for 10 weeks beginning in June and ending in August. In addition, IU Health requires one week of orientation prior to the beginning of the unit. It is offered at IU Health Academic Health Center, IU Health Bloomington Hospital, IU Health North Hospital, and IU Health West Hospital, and clinical site placement at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Tuition is $550.
Academic-year Extended CPE Internship
This part-time, flexible schedule follows an academic calendar. Class meets five hours weekly for group seminars (day to be determined), and eight hours weekly for clinical visitation, plus overnight/weekend on-call responsibilities. It is offered at IU Health Bloomington Hospital, IU Health North Hospital and IU Health West Hospital, and clinical site placement at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Tuition is $550, or $1,200 for partially parish-based units.
First-year Residency Program
This year-long program consists of three units of CPE. It is required that applicants have completed one unit of CPE from an ACPE-accredited center prior to beginning this program. This unit requires a full-time commitment, 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, with regular weekend and evening on-call shifts. The program typically begins and ends in late August. This is a salaried and benefited position. Tuition is $300. Offered only at IU Health Academic Health Center.
Second-year Fellowship Program
This is an advanced, year-long chaplaincy education program offering clinical specializations. We currently offer specialty training in trauma, pediatrics, behavioral health, and clinical ethics (since these specialties are subject to change, please inquire before submitting your application). It is expected that a fellow will have completed four units of CPE prior to beginning this program. This program requires a full-time commitment, 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, with regular weekend and evening on-call shifts. The program typically begins and ends in late August. This is a salaried and benefited position. Tuition is $300. Offered only at IU Health Academic Health Center.
CPE Course Offerings
Summer Intensive CPE Unit
This full-time unit requires 40 hours each week, Monday – Friday, and includes clinical rounding, class sessions, individual supervision and regular weekend and evening on-call shifts. This course runs for 10 weeks beginning in June and ending in August. In addition, IU Health requires one week of orientation prior to the beginning of the unit. It is offered at IU Health Academic Health Center, IU Health Bloomington Hospital, IU Health North Hospital, and IU Health West Hospital, and clinical site placement at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Tuition is $550.
Academic-year Extended CPE Internship
This part-time, flexible schedule follows an academic calendar. Class meets five hours weekly for group seminars (day to be determined), and eight hours weekly for clinical visitation, plus overnight/weekend on-call responsibilities. It is offered at IU Health Bloomington Hospital, IU Health North Hospital and IU Health West Hospital, and clinical site placement at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Tuition is $550, or $1,200 for partially parish-based units.
First-year Residency Program
This year-long program consists of three units of CPE. It is required that applicants have completed one unit of CPE from an ACPE-accredited center prior to beginning this program. This unit requires a full-time commitment, 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, with regular weekend and evening on-call shifts. The program typically begins and ends in late August. This is a salaried and benefited position. Tuition is $300. Offered only at IU Health Academic Health Center.
Second-year Fellowship Program
This is an advanced, year-long chaplaincy education program offering clinical specializations. We currently offer specialty training in trauma, pediatrics, behavioral health, and clinical ethics (since these specialties are subject to change, please inquire before submitting your application). It is expected that a fellow will have completed four units of CPE prior to beginning this program. This program requires a full-time commitment, 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, with regular weekend and evening on-call shifts. The program typically begins and ends in late August. This is a salaried and benefited position. Tuition is $300. Offered only at IU Health Academic Health Center.
Please use this link to access ACPE’s new Outcomes and Indicators.
All ACPE accredited programs will be required to utilize these Outcomes and Indicators for units of CPE that have a start date after January 1, 2024.
*ACPE Outcomes and Indicators for CPE is a Copyright of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
ACPE Outcomes and Indicators
Please use this link to access ACPE’s new Outcomes and Indicators.
All ACPE accredited programs will be required to utilize these Outcomes and Indicators for units of CPE that have a start date after January 1, 2024.
*ACPE Outcomes and Indicators for CPE is a Copyright of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
IU Health Academic Health Center (AHC)
First-year residency and fellowship, August – August
Indianapolis locations:
- IU Health Methodist Hospital
- IU Health University Hospital
- Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health
IU Health Arnett Hospital (Lafayette)
Academic-year extended: September - April
IU Health Bloomington Hospital (Bloomington
Academic-year extended CPE: September - April
IU Health North Hospital (Carmel)
Summer: June - August
Academic-year extended: September - April
IU Health West Hospital (Avon)
Summer: June - August
Academic-year extended: September - April
*partially parish-based also available
IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital (Muncie)
*clinical placement only
Summer: June - August
Academic- year extended: September - April
CPE Units and Approximate Timeframes
IU Health Academic Health Center (AHC)
First-year residency and fellowship, August – August
Indianapolis locations:
- IU Health Methodist Hospital
- IU Health University Hospital
- Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health
IU Health Arnett Hospital (Lafayette)
Academic-year extended: September - April
IU Health Bloomington Hospital (Bloomington
Academic-year extended CPE: September - April
IU Health North Hospital (Carmel)
Summer: June - August
Academic-year extended: September - April
IU Health West Hospital (Avon)
Summer: June - August
Academic-year extended: September - April
*partially parish-based also available
IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital (Muncie)
*clinical placement only
Summer: June - August
Academic- year extended: September - April
Every unit of CPE at IU Health is accredited by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education.
ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care and Education
1 Concourse Parkway, Suite 800
Atlanta, GA 30328
Phone: 404.320.1472
Website: acpe.edu
Accreditation
Every unit of CPE at IU Health is accredited by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education.
ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care and Education
1 Concourse Parkway, Suite 800
Atlanta, GA 30328
Phone: 404.320.1472
Website: acpe.edu
Beginning in the early 1960s, IU Health CPE has been instrumental in facilitating the integration of spiritual care with an interdisciplinary approach in holistic healthcare. Clinical settings include urban and suburban hospitals with specialization in adult and pediatric trauma, cancer care, orthopedics, cardiovascular, women’s health, intensive care, and neuroscience. CPE is a component of theological education that is learned through providing spiritual care under the supervision of a certified CPE educator. Students engage in practical experiences through caring for a variety of patients, families and staff, and reflecting on these encounters in a small group of peers and their CPE educator (pastoral educator).
The textbooks for CPE include in-depth study of "the living human documents." By "living human documents" we mean both the people who receive care as well as a study of ourselves, the givers of care. Through the practice of ministry and reflection thereon with an educator and peers, CPE exemplifies an experiential learning process.
IU Health CPE History
Beginning in the early 1960s, IU Health CPE has been instrumental in facilitating the integration of spiritual care with an interdisciplinary approach in holistic healthcare. Clinical settings include urban and suburban hospitals with specialization in adult and pediatric trauma, cancer care, orthopedics, cardiovascular, women’s health, intensive care, and neuroscience. CPE is a component of theological education that is learned through providing spiritual care under the supervision of a certified CPE educator. Students engage in practical experiences through caring for a variety of patients, families and staff, and reflecting on these encounters in a small group of peers and their CPE educator (pastoral educator).
The textbooks for CPE include in-depth study of "the living human documents." By "living human documents" we mean both the people who receive care as well as a study of ourselves, the givers of care. Through the practice of ministry and reflection thereon with an educator and peers, CPE exemplifies an experiential learning process.
