What is CPE?
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is an experiential learning program designed to develop spiritual care skills through supervised encounters with individuals in crisis. Accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), our CPE program offers a structured environment where students will enhance their spiritual care competencies, self-awareness, and professional identity.
DUH offers the following training programs:
-
Certified Education Training for Certified Educator Candidates
-
Year-long CPE Residency
-
Semester and year-long CPE Internships
Our program is committed to fostering a supportive and challenging learning environment for all participants. Whether you are a CEC, resident, or intern, our program is designed to help you grow personally and professionally as a spiritual care provider.
Our 2024-25 Residents
Why Take CPE at Duke University Hospital?
As a magnet hospital with over 1000 beds and a level 1 trauma center, we at Duke University Hospital are able to offer a unique and enriching CPE experience for those seeking to develop their spiritual care skills.
Diverse Clinical Exposure
At Duke University Hospital, CPE students are exposed to a wide range of clinical settings and patient populations. We provide care to patients in various clinical settings such as oncology, cardiology, neurology, and more. Students encounter individuals facing a multitude of crises, from acute medical conditions to chronic illnesses. Students are assigned to clinical areas where they can get to know staff and provide care more consistently over time. This diversity helps students develop a well-rounded approach to spiritual care, preparing them to handle a variety of situations with empathy and professionalism.
Supportive Learning Environment
Our program is designed to foster a supportive and collaborative learning environment. Students engage in supervised encounters with patients, receiving feedback from certified ACPE educators and working closely with our Senior Chaplains. This collaborative approach encourages personal and professional growth, helping students to reflect on their experiences and learn from them. We want to make sure that students feel valued and encouraged throughout their educational journey.
Engaging and Reflective Learning
We recognize and emphasize the importance of engaging with and reflecting on one's experiences. Through this collaborative learning approach, students are guided to explore their personal responses to the challenges they face in their spiritual care roles. This reflective practice is crucial for developing self-awareness and enhancing one's ability to provide compassionate and effective spiritual care.
On-Call Chaplain Experience
One of the unique aspects of our CPE program is the opportunity to serve as an on-call chaplain during 12-hour duty shifts. As the on-call chaplain, students learn to respond to urgent spiritual care needs, providing support to patients, families, and staff during critical moments around the clock.
Being on-call helps students develop resilience, quick thinking, and the ability to provide immediate spiritual care in high-pressure situations. Students typically spend about 1/4 of their clinical hours on-call.
Comprehensive Resources
Our students have access to a wealth of resources, including the Duke Divinity School, the Duke University Schools of Medicine and Nursing, and the Center for Spirituality, Theology, and Health.
These resources enhance the educational experience, providing students with opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and research.
By choosing Duke University Hospital for your CPE, you will gain invaluable experience, develop your spiritual care skills, and be part of a supportive and dynamic learning community. We look forward to helping you grow both personally and professionally as a spiritual care provider.
To Our Local Spiritual Leaders...
If you have been in ministry for years and never completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education, Duke Hospital invites you to consider joining our department to rejuvenate your ministry and take stock of the good work that you are doing. We believe that this experience will make you more effective and provide a sense of renewal. We welcome your experience and hope to partner with you to maximize your gifts and abilities.
Certified Educator Candidate (CEC)
Certified Educator Candidates (CEC) are individuals who aspire to become ACPE Certified Educators. The CEC program involves:
- Supervised Practice: CECs engage in supervised practice, learning the art of clinical pastoral supervision and education.
- Educational Seminars: Participation in seminars that cover ACPE standards, history, and competencies.
- Peer Group Participation: Active involvement in peer groups with other CECs to discuss and reflect on their learning experiences.
- Certification Process: The journey to certification includes multiple phases, where candidates must demonstrate their readiness and competencies through written materials and presentations.
Application
Applicants for the CEC position must send this completed application to our department at duhchaplainservicesandeducation@dm.duke.edu. If we accept these applicants, they must then apply through ACPE as well via the link below.
Residency
CPE residents are typically individuals who have completed at least one unit of CPE and are seeking to deepen their spiritual care skills. The residency program includes:
- Full-Time Commitment: Residents engage in a year-long, full-time program that includes clinical practice and educational components.
- Clinical Assignments: Residents are assigned to various clinical settings where they provide spiritual care under supervision.
- Individual and Group Supervision: Regular supervision sessions help residents reflect on their practice and integrate their learning.
- Professional Development: The program aims to enhance residents' spiritual identity and prepare them for professional chaplaincy
Internships
CPE internships are designed for individuals who are exploring spiritual care as a vocation. Our internship programs consist of:
- Part-Time or Full-Time Units: Internships can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis, depending on the individual's availability and program structure. On your application, you will indicate which unit you are applying for of the four we offer: fall semester, spring semester, summer semester, or academic year long (fall and spring semester).
- Clinical Experience: Interns provide spiritual care in various settings, gaining hands-on experience.
- Supervision and Reflection: Interns receive supervision to help them process their experiences and develop their spiritual care skills.
- Foundational Learning: The internship focuses on developing basic competencies in spiritual care, self-awareness, and theological reflection
Apply for Residency or Internships
You can also scan this QR code to apply for our residency or internship programs. This QR code leads to the same application as the above "Apply For..." links.