Clinical Pastoral Education Program

Education for Professional Ministry

Our Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program offers interdisciplinary and psychodynamic based, graduate-level training in pastoral and spiritual care, providing the chance to learn while doing the work of a clinical chaplain in an healthcare, military, community, house of faith, or school setting.

While seminary courses often provide an academic basis for pastoral care theology, CPE emphasizes learning by doing. CPE provides intense immersion into pastoral care through direct supervision, peer interaction, and accountability for one’s professional functioning.

Accreditation

This CPE Program is accredited through the following organizations:

• Spiritual Care Association (SCA)/ The Boisen Institute
• College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy (CPSP)
• Clinical Pastoral Education International (CPEI)

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Who should apply for CPE?

Clinical Pastoral Education offers learning and professional growth for individuals seeking to deepen their pastoral, spiritual, and clinical competencies, including:

• Healthcare professionals and clinicians (e.g. RNs, Social Workers)
• Community Leaders
• Students of theology, phycology, or related disciplines seeking to develop pastoral communication skills.
• Pastors and persons of faith seeking to expand their understanding of health ministry in institutional settings
• Lay ministers seeking religious, spiritual, and professional growth
• Chaplains pursuing board certification at all levels
• Individuals interested in the role of faith and spirituality in healing and interpersonal development

CPE Structure and Learning Options

Three levels of CPE training are available at Frederick Health with the following delivery formats:

• In-person: Seminars are held in-person, clinical are held at Frederick Health
• Hybrid: Seminars are virtual, clinical rotations are held at Frederick Health
• Distance (Virtual): Seminars are virtual, clinical rotations are done at other locations.

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Level I and II: CPE Internship

Duration: 13-15 weeks
Tuition: $600 per CPE Unit

Available Internship Terms

Summer 2026

• In-person (13 weeks)
  • May 11 - August 10, 2026
  • Application deadline: March 31st, 2026
• Virtual (15 weeks)
  • May 11 - August 24, 2026
  • Application deadline: March 31st, 2026

Fall 2026

• In-person & Virtual
  • September 14 - December 21, 2026
  • Application deadline: July 31, 2026

Spring 2027

• In-person (13 weeks)
  • January 11 - April 5, 2027
  • Application deadline: November 30, 2026
• Virtual (15 weeks)
  • January 11 - April 19, 2027
  • Application deadline: November 30, 2026

Summer 2027

• In-person ( 13 weeks)
  • May 17 - August 24, 2027
  • Application deadline: March 31, 2027
• Virtual (15 weeks)
  • May 17 - August 30, 2027
  • Application deadline: March 31, 2027

Fall 2027

• In-person & Virtual
  • September 13 - December 20, 2027
  • Application deadline: July 31, 2027

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Level II: CPE Residency Program

Stipend Residency

• Duration: 1 year, full-time
• Prerequisite: Minimum of 1 completed CPE unit
• Required 40 hour/week commitment
• Tuition: $600

Non-Stipend (Unpaid) Residency - Alternative Option

This option allows participants to maintain current employment while completing residency requirements.

Program Commitment:

• 1-year commitment
• 1,600 total hours
  • 400 seminar/ education hours
  • 1,200 clinical hours

Weekly Schedule:

• Seminar Day: Mondays, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
• Individual Supervision: 1 hour per week (Day and time assigned upon enrollment)
• Clinical hours: 23 hours per week
• $600 per CPE Unit
• 4 CPE units required for Board Certification

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Level III: CPE Supervision Academy

This advanced level is designed for individuals seeking to become CPE Supervisors.

Tuition: $800

Pre-requisites

• Board certification (minimum requirement)

Program Commitment

• 2 year program

Year 1

• Weekly seminar/education with Program Director
  • In-person: Mondays, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Online: (Day and time to be assigned)
• Individual Supervision: 1 hour per week (Day and time to be assigned)

Year 2

• Weekly one-on-one supervision of CPE interns
• Facilitation of in-person or online CPE classes under direct supervision of the Program Director
• Facilitation of CPE classes independently (online or in-person)

How to Apply

Download the Application and please submit it to:

Frederick Health Hospital / Pastoral and Spiritual Care
Attention: Judith Smoot, Administrative Assistant
400 W 7th Street
Frederick, MD 21701
or email pastoralspiritual@frederick.health

Applications are handled on a “first come” basis.