Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) residencies are available in Springfield, Mo., St. Louis, Mo., and Oklahoma City, Ok.
Extended units and the summer intensive are available throughout the Mercy health system in Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas.
Students who wish to complete their clinical hours outside of Mercy may pursue CPE virtually.
About Mercy's Clinical Pastoral Education Program
Mercy Clinical Pastoral Education program prepares ordained, professed, licensed and lay persons for chaplaincy and faith-based ministry.
The program provides experience-based theological education in five key categories:
- Spiritual formation and integration
- Awareness of self and others
- Relational dynamics
- Spiritual care interventions
- Professional development
Mercy doesn't provide visa sponsorship for our CPE program. All applicants must be fully authorized to work in their chosen jurisdiction when they apply.
We honor the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy by respecting the dignity and individuality of all CPE students, regardless of culture, background or faith tradition.
As our name suggests, CPE is:
CPE has a strong "hands-on" component. By interacting with patients, residents and clients every day, students will develop the skills and awareness needed for pastoral care.
Mercy has a variety of clinical opportunities available in urban, suburban and rural settings. Board-certified chaplains serve as clinical mentors to students in the program.
CPE focuses on putting an individual's theology into practice. Some former students describe CPE as "doing" theology versus "learning" theology.
Depending on the program, participants may be working toward a graduate degree in theology or already have sufficient theological background to practice pastoral ministry.
Above all, CPE is adult learning. To complete their residency, students must contribute at least 400 hours of work, combining no fewer than 100 hours of structured group and individual education with supervised clinical practice.
Chaplain Certification
Most national certifying bodies require a minimum of four accredited units of CPE from chaplain certification applicants. For more information, consider the following resources:
- The National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC)
- The Association of Professional Chaplains (APC)
- The National Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC)
- The National Association of Veterans Affairs Chaplains (NAVAC)
Clinical Pastoral Education Program Accreditation
Since 1974, Mercy has offered CPE through accreditation by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Commission on Certification and Accreditation (USCCB/CCA).
Since 2008, the program has been accredited by ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care & Education.