Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Anam Cara
What Is CPE?
Clinical Pastoral Education isn’t just another class.
It’s a 12-week clinical formation process that gives you the habits of ministry you’ll carry for a lifetime.
You step into real encounters marked by grief, trauma, transition, or uncertainty.
You will learn to stand with clarity, trust, and spiritual depth.
Without rushing past the pain or trying to fix it.
Yes, it’s required for chaplaincy certification.
But at its heart, CPE is a spiritual discipline: action → reflection → action
Weekly Rhythm
Every week follows a spiritual discipline:
Action: Step into real pastoral encounters.
Reflection: Reflect on these encounters your peers and supervisor.
Action: Apply the insights to your ministry.
This cycle forms you—not just as a caregiver, but as a person.
Educational Components
300 Clinical Hours (25 per week):
These hours happen in a real ministry context. That could be your job as a chaplain, your role as a minister, or a volunteer placement in a hospital, prison, shelter, hospice, or congregation.
You will write written case studies (“verbatims”) based on moments of direct soul care—
sitting with the sick, counseling, visitation, or walking with people in their hardest moments.
100 Educational Hours:
Learning Contract: You'll set 2-3 personal and professional goals in Week 1.
Weekly Reflections: 10 short (1–2 page) reflections during Weeks 2–11.
Verbatims: 6 written case studies (about 1 every 2 weeks).
Supervision: Biweekly one-on-one coaching with your supervisor.
Evaluations: Mid-course and final self-evaluations in Weeks 6 and 12.
Didactics: You'll be assigned readings, attend lectures, and learn clinical skills.
What You'll Gain
Professional credibility: CPE is the gold standard training and required for board certification.
Deep self-awareness: See how your family story, theology, and identity shape the care you give.
Sustainable rhythms: Learn to serve with resilience and clarity, without burning out.
Integrated skill: Emotional intelligence, theological reflection, and clinical rigor woven together.
Investment
We’re committed to financial transparency—no hidden costs, no surprises.
Anam Cara Site Fee: One time fee of $125.
CPE Tuition: $1,375 per unit.
Still Have Questions?
Join a Live Information Session to meet our team, hear more about the program, and get your questions answered in real time.
