Foundation for Clinical Pastoral Education

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The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education

The Foundation for Clinical Pastoral Education seeks to promote the bold vision of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. (ACPE), which is to be the premier provider of clinical pastoral education.

ACPE Mission Statement

The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. (www.acpe.edu) is a professional association committed to advancing experience-based theological education for seminarians, clergy and laypersons of diverse cultures, ethnic groups and faith traditions. The ACPE establishes standards, certifies supervisors and accredits programs and centers in varied settings. ACPE programs promote the integration of personal history, faith tradition and the behavioral sciences in the practice of spiritual care.

ACPE Vision Statement

The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. seeks to be distinguished as the premier provider of clinical pastoral education and recognized by the United States Department of Education:

  • Encouraging creative response to the changing context of spiritual care in the communities served
  • Modeling professional competence, integrity and high ethical standards
  • Sustaining a welcoming organizational culture in which members are encouraged to learn and grow
  • Embracing diversity, collaboration, and accountability on a national and international level
  • Prophetically advocating for excellence in pastoral education and the practice of spiritual care.

ACPE Facts and History

  • Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) was begun in 1925 as a form of theological education that takes place in classrooms and in clinical settings where ministry is being practiced.
  • CPE is offered in many kinds of settings: in hospitals and health care organizations including university, children's, and veterans' facilities; in hospices; in psychiatric and community care facilities; in workplaces; in geriatric and rehabilitation centers; and in congregational and parish-based sites.
  • The textbooks for CPE include the in-depth study of the "living human documents." The "living human documents" are the people who receive care as well as the givers of care.
  • The experiential learning of CPE takes place through the practice of ministry and reflection upon it with a supervisor and peers.
  • The 2,600 members of ACPE include some 350 ACPE Accredited CPE Centers and about 600 ACPE certified faculty members (CPE Supervisors).
  • 113 Theological Schools Members and 23 Faith Groups and Agencies are partners with ACPE in seeking to provide excellence in theological education.
  • Other groups of ACPE members are Clinical Members (over 500), students, individuals, Retired Supervisors, retired members, and ACPE Networks.
  • Since ACPE formed in 1967 (a merger of four CPE organizations), about 65,000 individuals from the United States and many other countries have completed nearly 150,000 units of CPE.
  • Approximately 7,000 units of CPE are completed annually.
  • CPE students come from many different ethnic and cultural groups.
  • Individuals from many faith traditions -- Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Judaism, Islam, Orthodox Christianity, Buddhism and Native American religions -- have taken CPE.

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