CPE is a nationally accredited training program for the preparation and continuing education of persons for ministry. Students learn the art of pastoral care by ministering to people in all life circumstances and then reflecting upon their work in an intentional way in order to refine their skills and develop their own pastoral identity and style.
Through the integration of theory and practice, students strengthen their caregiving skills, deepen their pastoral relationships and gain a fuller knowledge of themselves—both personally and professionally.
The Valley CPE program offers a unique combination of factors to help students achieve their personal and professional goals.
A Variety of Clinical Contexts
Students may choose clinical opportunities in numerous areas of medical and pastoral specialties such as Critical Care, Neuroscience, Oncology, Renal Care, Cardiac Surgery and Palliative Care.
Specialized Integration of Theological and Psychological Training
Students will learn to integrate individual, group and systemic dynamics into their pastoral care, allowing for the development of a broad repertoire of skills that will increase competency in any pastoral work or situation.
Flexible Options for Training
A unit of CPE consists of at least 400 hours of supervised clinical work and education. Valley offers:
- Full-time summer units, which run 40 hours per week from early June through mid-August
- Part-time extended units, which run approximately 20 hours per week from October through May
Individually Tailored Learning
In order to create a learning environment that will enhance healthy spiritual and pastoral formation, students direct their own learning and choose their own areas of growth within the CPE framework and the needs and resources of The Valley Hospital.
Opportunity to Learn Spiritual Care in a Multi-Faith Setting
Students learn how to minister to persons from different religious or faith traditions and those with none. Valley offers a context in which diversity is respected and the patient’s spiritual well-being is valued as highly as their physical well-being.
During a typical week, students:
- provide pastoral care to patients and their loved ones
- attend lectures and discussions with expert medical clinicians and community leaders
- participate in peer group discussions, case study presentation and individual supervision
- attend meetings of the multidisciplinary healthcare team on patient units
- rotate on-call chaplaincy responsibilities, thus allowing students to gain the maximum range of hospital ministry experience
A Program for People with Diverse Goals
The following persons are encouraged to enroll in CPE:
- Seminarians of all faith traditions
- Ordained clergy and religious sisters and brothers
- Religious leaders preparing for specialized ministry or who desire continuing education
- Healthcare professionals
- Lay persons of all faiths who are skilled from life experience and/or who meet the educational requirements
The Clinical Pastoral Education Program Faculty
The faculty includes physicians, nurses, healthcare professionals, bio-ethicists, community clergy and certified staff chaplains of the Pastoral Care Department who represent a wide range of faith traditions and pastoral specialties, including bereavement counseling, outreach ministry and various modes of complementary care.
The Admissions Process
The Valley hospital CPE program utilizes a rolling admissions process. All potential students must submit an application with references and have an admissions interview. Applicants must also submit a non-refundable $50 application fee made payable to "The Valley Hospital," which will be applied toward the unit tuition for students accepted into the CPE program. Groups are limited to seven persons, and students may enroll in successive units with permission of the supervisor. Each unit costs $500. Limited openings are available at Valley’s child care center for children of enrolled students. Applications for financial aid are available and are considered on an individual basis. Early application is encouraged.
For an application and reference forms, or for more information about the program, please call (201) 447-8011.
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