Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is an action/reflective, interfaith, hands-on clinical ministry model of learning. The purpose of the University Health program is to develop competency in providing spiritual care for patients, families, and staff. Using case studies, verbatims, reflections, didactic sessions, individual supervision, and group seminars, students will gain self-awareness, crisis management skills, pastoral ministry skills, and evidence-based interventions while providing spiritual care in a medical facility.

CPE Residency*

The CPE residency is a full-time, one-year program beginning in September each year. A unique feature of our residency program is the presentation of psychological/ spiritual assessment models as residents develop their theory and approach to spiritual care. A variety of beliefs and theological perspectives, as well as selected readings in spiritual care research and outcome-oriented chaplaincy are discussed. Spiritual Care residency is to enhance personal growth and the skills for effective support through empathy, excellence, and innovation. Students will gain experience providing broad range of spiritual care at a thousand bed Level I Trauma Center including grief and bereavement support. CPE Residents are required to be available to work a variety of shifts including weekdays, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

*Prerequisite: Admission to the CPE Residency program requires a bachelor's degree and one unit of accredited CPE.

What the CPE Residency Program Entails

Our program emphasizes experiential learning, self-reflection and group dynamics to develop pastoral identity and spiritual care competencies. These align with the overarching ACPE learning outcomes, including:

This Program Emphasizes:

1. Spiritual formation and integration
2. Building awareness of self and others
3. Developing supportive relational dynamics
4. Practicing spiritual care assessments and interventions
5. Nurturing professional and ethical development

The Residency Includes:

• Onboarding as a University Health employee and as a chaplain
• Full time employment, included paid time off, health insurance and other benefits
• Residents complete a 1-year program.
• Residents complete a minimum of 1600 hours of supervised learning each year.
• Weekly participation in after-hours call duty responsibilities
• Weekly classroom sessions
• Mentoring and collaboration with staff chaplains and other health professionals invested in your success.
• Apply for University Health CPE Residency program

CPE Extended Unit

University Health offers a 22-week extended program where group meets once a week for classroom learning. Clinical work is completed during the week for those faith and/or lay leaders who are serving or want to explore their call to serve in the hospital setting.

CPE Summer Unit

During the summer month, we host an 11-week intensive (full-time) on-site program. Students are afforded the opportunity to serve and learn alongside UH staff chaplains throughout the full continuum of healthcare provided on our campus. Summer CPE students may serve as chaplains throughout the Level I Trauma Center. Each week there will be weekend on-call opportunities.

The spiritual care education hours in the summer intensive program are comprised of meeting with the CPE group for 10-12 hours each week and for individual instruction 1 hour weekly, totaling 150 hours. The remaining 250 hours of clinical ministry required for the program are done at UH, including weekdays and some weekend on-call hours. There is a small stipend given to the summer students.

Admission to any CPE unit requires a bachelor's degree. Questions regarding CPE at University Health should be directed to CPE@uhtx.com. Other questions can be answered on the ACPE FAQ Page.

The Certified Educator program trains individuals who demonstrate essential pastoral and clinical skills and the interest and potential to become certified ACPE Educators. CEC certification prepares the student to become an ACPE Certified Clinical Educator. Acceptance to this program requires Clinical Educator Candidates to have completed four units of CPE, prepared significant written materials and completed successful interviews with University Health CPE program and with ACPE.

Certified Educator Candidate Training Includes:

• Onboarding as a University Health employee and as a chaplain
• Full time employment, included paid time off, health insurance and other benefits
• CECs are accepted for 3 years and undergo an annual review for continued participation
• Regular consultation with other ACPE Educators and CECs in training
• Weekly participation in after-hours call duty responsibilities

Questions regarding CPE at University Health should be directed to CPE@uhtx.com. Other questions can be answered on the ACPE FAQ Page.