Online Clinical Pastoral Education
The person you bring into the room matters.
Anam Cara offers online-hybrid Clinical Pastoral Education for chaplains, clergy, spiritual caregivers, and others called to accompany people through suffering. Complete your clinical work where you live while participating in live online education, supervision, peer reflection, and professional formation.
12-week intensive CPE units · 400 total hours · $1,375 tuition
Not quite ready to apply? Join a free live information session to understand what CPE is, how Anam Cara works, and whether it fits where you are headed.
Recognized training for professional spiritual care
Anam Cara is an Affiliate of Clinical Pastoral Education International (CPEI). CPEI is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA.
- Online-Hybrid CPE
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- Five Cohort Options
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- $1,375 per Unit
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- Pathway Toward Board Certification
CPE that fits the life and work you already have
You do not have to relocate or step away from your current setting to complete meaningful clinical formation. Anam Cara is designed for working chaplains, clergy, spiritual caregivers, and others who need CPE to integrate with the work they are already doing.
Train where you already serve
Complete your clinical hours in an approved setting where you live and work, while participating in live online education, supervision, and peer reflection.
Learn from experienced chaplain educators
Our faculty bring experience across healthcare, hospice, military, corrections, community care, and professional chaplaincy.
Use CPE for where you are headed
Complete one unit for professional and personal formation, or continue toward the multiple units commonly required for board certification and advanced chaplaincy roles.
What does an Anam Cara CPE unit look like?
- 01
Clinical Practice
Students complete clinical hours in an approved setting where they are already serving or in another approved placement.
- 02
Live Online Education
Students participate in scheduled live online group learning, case reflection, didactics, and peer engagement.
- 03
Individual Supervision
Students meet with experienced CPE educators for individualized reflection, feedback, and professional formation.
- 04
Integration
Students learn to reflect on how personal history, theology, worldview, relationships, and emotional patterns shape the care they provide.
Choose a cohort that works with your schedule
Anam Cara offers multiple cohort-time options so students can complete CPE while continuing to work and serve. Group sessions meet once a week for the duration of the 12-week unit.
- 1Online · Eastern Time
Mondays, 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM Eastern
Evening Cohort
- 2Online · Eastern Time
Tuesdays, 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM Eastern
Evening Cohort
- 3Online · Eastern Time
Wednesdays, 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM Eastern
Afternoon Cohort
- 4Online · Eastern Time
Wednesdays, 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM Eastern
Evening Cohort
- 5Online · Eastern Time
Thursdays, 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM Eastern
Afternoon Cohort
Next cohort: Winter 2026 Unit — begins November 30, 2026
Applications due November 2, 2026
Clear, accessible tuition
$1,375per CPE unit
Tuition covers 400 total hours: 300 clinical hours and 100 educational hours of supervision, group sessions, and didactics. Required textbooks and technology run an estimated $25-$40 per unit. No deposit is required to confirm your seat. Students may use PayPal Credit to apply for 0% financing for 6 months.
No relocation. No residential program required.
Who chooses Anam Cara?
CPE serves many paths — professional chaplaincy, personal formation, and continuing growth in the work of care.
- Hospital chaplains
- Hospice chaplains
- Military chaplains
- Corrections chaplains
- Community chaplains
- Clergy
- Spiritual caregivers
- Those preparing for professional chaplaincy
- Those seeking additional CPE toward board certification
What students say about Anam Cara
“My experience with Anam Cara has extended far beyond the classroom. The educators have taken a genuine interest in me, both as a student and as someone preparing for a career in chaplaincy. They have encouraged me, supported my professional growth, and helped connect me with employment opportunities and job leads, including hospice work and opportunities with local hospitals. I never felt like I was simply completing a program or earning CPE hours. The team invested in my life, recognized my strengths, and helped me take meaningful next steps toward my vocational goals.”
“Anam Cara is an exceptional Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program. The supervisors create a thoughtful, reflective learning environment where students are challenged to grow both professionally and spiritually. One of the most valuable aspects is the strong sense of community — the learning process is supportive, inclusive, and intellectually engaging. People from many different spiritual backgrounds are welcomed and respected, which creates rich and meaningful conversations about spiritual care.”
“This has been a transformative education. The educators are actively engaged with the progress of each student. I've been challenged in this process to move into a more mindful and embodied presence in my work, which has naturally translated into a more deeply authentic and holistically healthy way of walking in the world. My relationships with friends and family (and even strangers) now seem more nourishing and supportive. Great program! No wonder it's such a highly regarded certification.”
Learn from people who understand the work
Our faculty are certified CPE Supervisor-Educators and Supervisor-Educators with lived experience across healthcare, hospice, military, corrections, community, and professional chaplaincy. They bring decades of clinical practice and graduate theological education into every supervision session.
Common questions about online CPE
Can I complete CPE online?+
Yes. Anam Cara CPE is an online-hybrid format. Live group education, supervision, and peer reflection take place online, while you complete your clinical hours in an approved setting where you live and work.
Where do I complete my clinical hours?+
Students arrange their own clinical site where they work or volunteer as a chaplain. Common settings include hospitals, hospice, senior living and long-term care, correctional facilities, congregations, non-profits, police and first responder settings, and corporate chaplaincy.
How many hours are required?+
Each unit is 400 total hours: 300 clinical hours and 100 educational hours of supervision, group sessions, and didactics. The 300 clinical hours are completed over the 12 weeks — an average of about 25 hours per week.
How long is one unit?+
Each unit is a 12-week intensive.
How much does a unit cost?+
Tuition is $1,375 per 12-week intensive CPE unit. Required textbooks and technology run an estimated $25-$40 per unit.
Can I work while completing CPE?+
Yes. The online-hybrid format is designed for working chaplains, clergy, and spiritual caregivers. Clinical hours are completed in a setting where you already serve, and group sessions meet once a week online.
Does CPE count toward board certification?+
Completing four units of CPE establishes the core clinical foundation commonly required for Board Certified Chaplaincy (BCC). A single unit can also serve as entry into your first chaplain position.
Do I need to already be working as a chaplain?+
No. Students come from many backgrounds — clergy, spiritual caregivers, and those exploring a call to chaplaincy. What matters is a willingness to bring your whole self into the work of care.
What are the admissions requirements?+
A high school diploma or equivalent is required, along with a willingness to bring your whole self into the work of care. No specific faith affiliation is required.
When is the next cohort?+
The next cohort is the Winter 2026 Unit, beginning November 30, 2026, with applications due November 2, 2026.
Ready to begin?
If you already know CPE is your next step, begin your application today. If you still have questions, join a free live information session and learn how Anam Cara works.