"The Power of Being Deeply Heard" - this chapter title from a book review sums up my experience in CPE. Being deeply heard-by God, by fellow chaplains, by my supervisor-and then, learning to listen in a deepr way to others, especially those facing crisis. Out of being heard and the practice of listening I have grown as a person and as a pastor. This growth continues even as I have moved from parish ministry to administrative duties."

Reverend David Guthrie
Executive Director
Board of Evangelism and Home Missions
Moravian Church, Southern Province

Distinctives of ACPE

CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) is a method of theological education through practical training in pastoral care skills, concepts and ministry. ACPE, Inc.

  • ACPE accredits centers for conducting CPE by utilizing a process and a structure to evaluate the institutional issues related to where CPE will be held. This assures the student that the institution that provides for their clinical experience is financially stable, employs qualified supervisors, provides curriculum that has been reviewed by others, offers evaluations and sets standards for treatment and safety of students.

  • ACPE Standards for ongoing accreditation of a CPE Center are systematically reviewed to insure that there is consistency in practice for the center and its supervisors. ACPE is committed to quality and consumer protection; therefore as an association we have our Standards externally reviewed by the US Department of Education every five years and have their recognition as an indicator of our values. We require all accredited centers undergo both five and ten year reviews in order to maintain their individual accreditation status. These strict guidelines for accreditation and recognition by the US Department of Education make CPE at an ACPE accredited program acceptable for academic credit and for VA benefits.

  • ACPE has a process by which problems at an accredited center may be immediately addressed through a called review of accreditation in order to assure compliance and maintenance of Standards.

  • ACPE accredited centers also have a local process of accountability for dealing with issues of misconduct in order to insure the safety of students and the consistency of appropriate education. This accountability structure includes Professional Advisory Groups who are members of the center’s community and provide oversight and consultation on the program(s) offered.

  • ACPE Supervisors have completed a process of training that provides for multiple opportunities to have their work evaluated by other professionals in order for certification as a CPE Supervisor to be granted. This process follows standards for training that have been scrutinized and recognized as part of the ACPE accreditation process.

  • ACPE Supervisors are required to participate in regular review processes as well as continuing education in order to maintain their certification as a Supervisor.

  • ACPE LOGOCPE is guided by Standards as well as defined outcomes and objectives for student learning. These standards, along with certification and accreditation requirements are available for review by visiting the ACPE, Inc. website: www.acpe.edu

CPE at Florida Hospital is accredited by: ACPE, Inc.1549 Clairmont Road, #103, Decatur, GA 30033 404/320-1472 www.acpe.edu

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