The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. (ACPE):
The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. (ACPE) is a multicultural, multifaith organization devoted to providing education and improving the quality of ministry and pastoral care offered by spiritual caregivers of all faiths though the clinical educational methods of Clinical Pastoral Education.
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) was begun in 1925 as a form of theological education that takes place not exclusively in academic classrooms, but also in clinical settings where ministry is being practiced.
CPE is offered in many kinds of settings: in hospitals and health care including private, university, military, and veterans facilities; in prisons and correctional institutions; in parishes and congregations; in hospices and other places that care for the dying; in psychiatric facilities and community care; in business, industry and other workplace settings; in retirement homes and geriatric centers; in rehabilitation centers such as those for physical illness and injury as well as those working with the addicted; and in communities, both urban and rural.
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 the reflection thereon with supervisor and peers, the experiential learning that is CPE takes place.
ACPE formed in 1967 as a merger of four CPE organizations. CPE students come from many different ethnic and cultural groups. Individuals from many faith traditions – Protestant, Roman Catholic, Judaism, Islam, Orthodox Christian, Native American religions and Buddhism – have taken CPE.
National Website:
General Information
Career Opportunties
CPE Residencies
Links to Other Organizations
Links to Regional Websites
Manuals and Standards
National Office Contacts
Networks
Annual Conference
For more information please visit the website.