Curriculum

Clinical Pastoral Education develops progressively across two levels:

Level

IA

Chaplain as Person

Self-Awareness in Relationship

Concentration: Introduction to Spiritual Care

Level IA introduces students to Clinical Pastoral Education, foundational spiritual care, and the discipline of self-awareness. Students begin to learn how they show up as persons in care, relationships, and clinical practice.

Focus Areas :

➧ Introduction to chaplaincy and spiritual care
➧ Learning the CPE process
➧ Beginning self-awareness
➧ Identifying key dynamics in care

Key Verbs

Identify · Notice · Describe · Begin to understand

Level

IB

Chaplain as Meaning-Maker

Meaning through values, beliefs, lived experience

Concentration: Foundations of Spiritual Care

Level IB develops the student’s ability to articulate spiritual care practice, reflect theologically, and recognize the dynamics at work within clinical encounters and relationships.

 

Focus Areas :

➧ Deepening spiritual care skills
➧ Articulation and reflection
➧ Foundations of spiritual care practice
➧ Recognizing relational and clinical dynamics

Key Verbs

Explain · Recognize · Demonstrate awareness · Make connections

Level

IIA

Chaplain as Spiritual Care Provider

Practicing spiritual care with intention and skill

Concentration: Intermediate Spiritual Care

Level IIA focuses on the active use and demonstration of spiritual care skills. Students strengthen their written and verbal clinical work, develop theories of spiritual care, and show greater intentionality in practice.

Focus Areas :

➧ Writing and demonstrating spiritual care skills
➧ Developing theories of spiritual care
➧ Strengthening clinical practice
➧ Using knowledge with greater intention

Key Verbs

Use · Demonstrate · Apply · Reflect on functioning

Level

IIB

Chaplain as Leader and Professional

Integrating practice, leadership and professional identity

Concentration: Certificate in the Clinical Practice of Spiritual Care

Level IIB brings together learning from the previous levels through integration, evaluation, leadership, and professional identity. Students demonstrate increasing capacity for teaching, self-assessment, and accountable spiritual care practice.

Focus Areas :

➧ Evaluation and integration
➧ Leadership and professional identity
➧ Teaching and guiding others
➧ Demonstrating mature spiritual care practice

Key Verbs

Assess · Integrate · Evaluate · Teach

Across All Levels

Curriculum Categories:

➧ Spiritual Formation & Integration
➧ Awareness of Self & Others
➧ Relational Dynamics
➧ Spiritual Care Interventions
➧ Professional Development

Focus Areas :

➧ 100 hours structured education
➧ 300 hours clinical spiritual

Begin a Conversation

Whether you are seeking Clinical Pastoral Education, considering Certified Educator formation, or exploring how locally rooted CPE might grow within your community, we welcome the conversation.