Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)

The Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Internship is an excellent option for students whose vocation is hospital chaplaincy, pastoral care or some other field where this type of training is of value. In this case the Perkins Internship requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of one CPE unit for the Master of Arts in Ministry (M.A.M.) degree, and two CPE units for the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree.

The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. () is the accreditation agency for Clinical Pastoral Education centers that are accepted by Perkins School of Theology to fulfill the Internship requirement.

If you choose the CPE internship, please follow these steps listed below:

  1. Complete the internship application and enter the placement process as directed by the Perkins Intern Program. At the initial placement conversation with the Intern Faculty, discuss how your learning needs and vocational goals can best be addressed by a CPE option. If you both conclude that a CPE introductory unit or a CPE residency could provide the kind of learning experience you are seeking, you are ready to begin the CPE placement process.
  2. Check with your conference or denominational judicatory to make sure that a CPE option will meet its internship requirement for ordination.
  3. Contact the accredited centers in your area to get information about available programs and openings. Prerequisites, tuition and stipends vary from program to program.
  4. Apply for CPE through the standard ACPE process as instructed on its website, . Submit an application to the accredited CPE centers to which you wish to apply. (Note: The application includes essay questions to which you are expected to respond at some length and with evidence of a good capacity for self-reflection.) We recommend that you apply at several centers to increase your chances of being accepted. As a general rule, you should apply no later than the end of November for CPE units beginning the following August. Finally, interview with one or more of the CPE supervisors at the center.
  5. Keep your Intern Faculty Supervisor apprised of your progress.
  6. Once you are accepted into a CPE program, immediately notify your Intern Faculty Supervisor. The Intern Faculty needs the following:
    -- A copy of the communication from the CPE program stating that you have been accepted and giving the beginning and ending dates of your CPE units and the cost per unit. This will confirm your placement. (If you do not receive such a letter or email, please ask the CPE office for one.)
    -- If you will be doing a summer CPE unit before beginning the residency, we would like to have a copy for your permanent file of that acceptance letter as well.
  7. Register for the CPE internship course at Perkins. The tuition for this course will be charged per credit hour. Additionally, you will pay any CPE fees and/or tuition charged by your CPE program. After completion of your CPE unit, Perkins will then reimburse you for the fees and tuition charged by your CPE center. Submit your invoice and proof of payment for your CPE fees to:

Perkins Intern Program
Attn: Rachel Holmes
Perkins School of Theology | ¾«¶«´«Ã½
P.O. Box 750133
Dallas TX 75275-0133

OR

email to perkinsintern@smu.edu