CPE program types & requirements

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Full-time residency

General information

Aurora CPE offers year-long, full-time residencies for level IB, IIA, IIB. CPE Level IA students are generally accepted for internships and a required credit to join a residency. All CPE levels challenge students to integrate theological studies with hands-on spiritual care.

  • CPE Level IA addresses the fundamentals and basics of spiritual formation and integration, awareness of self and others, relational dynamics, spiritual care interventions and professional development through 1 or more program units focusing on these outcomes.
  • CPE Level IB, IIA, IIB addresses the development, the articulation, and integration of spiritual formation and integration, awareness of self and others, relational dynamics, spiritual care interventions and professional development with the goal of professional certification and/or admission to Certified Educator Candidate CPE. The residency involves 2 or more program units leading to these outcomes.
Eligibility

This program accepts first-year residents with a graduate degree in theology and/or a helping profession in mental health, who has completed a prior unit of CPE in level IA that is preferably accredited by ACPE. There is an interview and selection process that requires three letters of reference and a completed ACPE application.

Duration

Begins the first Tuesday after Labor Day and continues through the following August. Application review for each fall program begins in January of that year.

Compensation and benefits

Residents are paid a stipend, get paid time off and can purchase health and dental insurance.

Locations

Certified educator fellowship 

General information

Aurora CPE offers a multi-year, full-time, 2-level program (student and certified educator candidate) for students seeking certification by the ACPE as a CPE Certified Educator. The program provides students with demonstrated pastoral, professional and clinical competence the opportunity to learn the art, theory and practice of supervision of CPE. This program is subject to availability, based on position vacancy.

Compensation and benefits

Fellows are paid a stipend, get paid time off and can purchase health and dental insurance.

Locations
Aurora program requirements
  • Completed ACPE Certified Educator Candidate application
  • Successful completion of a minimum of 4 units of CPE
  • Three letters of reference
  • Graduate degree(s) transcript(s)
  • Master of Theology degree or equivalent (72 hours)
  • On-site interview with CPE screening committee

Extended internship

General information

Aurora CPE offers part-time, unpaid internships for students, ministers, or helping professions interested in continuing education and vocational enhancement. Interns serve a minimum of 300 hours visiting patients and families to provide emotional and spiritual support, as well as providing this same support to hospital staff.

Compensation and benefits

This is an unpaid internship.

Locations
Aurora program requirements
  • Completed ACPE application
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred
  • Three letters of reference
  • Open to faith leaders and/or other laypersons
  • On-site interview with CPE staff

Summer internship

General information

Aurora CPE offers full-time, summer internships that provide an introduction to pastoral care, pastoral identity and hospital ministry.

Eligibility

This program is open to seminary students, local ministers, lay ministers, and helping professions.

Duration

Dates vary. Contact us for more information.

Compensation and benefits

This is an unpaid internship.

Locations
Aurora program requirements
  • Completed ACPE application
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred
  • Completion of at least 1 year of seminary or equivalent
  • Three letters of reference
  • Open to faith leaders and/or other laypersons
  • On-site interview with CPE staff

Apply to the program

Learn how to apply to an Aurora Clinical Pastoral Education program. 

Apply to Clinical Pastoral Education at Aurora

Forms documents

Find privacy policies and required forms for the Aurora CPE program. 

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