CPE Introduction & Accreditation

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is professional education for ministry accredited by The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc.

CPE brings theological students and ministers of all faiths (pastors, priests, rabbis, imams, and others) into supervised encounters with persons in crisis. Out of an intense involvement with persons in need, and the feedback from peers and supervisors, students develop new awareness of themselves as persons and of the needs of those to whom they minister. From theological reflection on specific human situations, they gain a new understanding of ministry. Within the interdisciplinary team process of helping persons, they develop skills in interpersonal and interprofessional relationships.

CPE is an experience in process education. The heart of CPE is ministry with people and learning through reflection, discussion, and evaluation with other students and supervisors.

In CPE, students utilize verbatims, case studies, and other ministry descriptions to present their ministry for supervision. The focus in some seminars will be on what is happening to the chaplain, as much as on what is happening to the people receiving ministry. There will be opportunities to learn from the behavioral sciences while also reflecting theologically, so that one can draw from both in understanding the human condition.

Students are challenged to think about groups and social structures as well as individuals in defining their ministry. Students are also part of a dynamic learning group with other students and supervisors, which provides opportunities for mutual supervision, care giving, challenge, and appreciation.

CPE EXTENDED UNIT
Dates: August 27, 2019 – May 15, 2020
Classes: Tuesdays, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Tuition: $2,000 for a full credit (1 CPE Unit), $1,000 for a half credit (1/2 CPE Unit)

The CPE program at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary is open to applicants of all faith traditions and to both seminarians and non-seminarians. The Seminary CPE program shall not discriminate against any individual for reasons of race, gender, age, faith tradition, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability. St. Vladimir’s Seminary values diversity, and as such, is intentional in recruiting a diverse group of CPE students for superior learning in small peer groups.

This policy notwithstanding, all students accepted in the program shall be able, with reasonable accommodation, to physically, emotionally, and spiritually perform the duties of a chaplain/ student intern. At all levels, CPE students need to sustain sufficient physical and emotional health to deliver pastoral care. The student must demonstrate the capacity to consistently and adequately establish and maintain relationships and be open to learning, change, and growth. CPE students need to be able to demonstrate flexibility in the midst of ambiguity.

Applicants to the CPE program must possess motivation to learn, emotional stability, interpersonal awareness, and the ability to adapt and respond appropriately in crisis situations. The CPE program is geared toward seminary students, those interested in pastoral care in religious congregations, and those who are entering pastoral ministry.

To enroll, a student must:

• Complete and submit an ACPE application form and
• Complete an interview with a CPE Educator and/or a designated person familiar with the program from the CPE Advisory Committee.

There is no application fee.

Application Form

The CPE Application form and instructions may be found on the ACPE website at http://www.acpe.edu

Letter of Reference

We require three references. These references must be sent by the person writing them directly to our office. We do not accept references sent by the applicant. The letter of reference can be downloaded here.

Questions about the CPE Program, the application process, or letters of reference may be mailed or emailed to the following:

Fr. Adrian Budica, Th.M., BCC-APC, ACPE
Director of Field Education, ACPE Certified Educator
St. Vladimir’s Seminary
575 Scarsdale Rd.
Yonkers, NY 10707
Phone: 914-961-8313 x336
Email: abudica@svots.edu