Questions:
- Who takes CPE?
- What kind of job can I get after taking CPE?
- Since I have a full-time job, is there any way for CPE not to involve such a major time commitment?
- Why is so much training required to become a certified chaplain?
- What do chaplains do anyway?
- What do the chaplains do at night?
Answers:
Who takes CPE?
A wide variety of individuals take CPE for a wide variety of reasons. See the “Student Profile” section for more details.
What kind of job can I get after taking CPE?
CPE alone is not intended to prepare someone for a paying job. Combined with seminary, CPE is part of the preparation for pastoral ministry in a congregation. At least four units of CPE and a Master’s degree in theology can lead to certification and employment as a chaplain.
Lay people utilize their CPE training to be more involved in the local congregations or be more attune to the spiritual needs in their professions. For example, some alumni have served as Stephen’s Ministers, Eucharistic Ministers, or lay hospital visitors. Others have used what they have learned to enhance their nursing, counseling, or teaching careers.
Since I have a full-time job, is there any way for CPE not to involve such a major time commitment?
The requirement for a unit of CPE is a minimum of 400 hours of supervised ministry and education. That time involvement cannot be reduced. However, the time can either be condensed into a full-time ten-week format or spread out over a longer period of time in an extended unit. We offer a full-time unit each summer from late May to early August, and an extended unit each fall and each spring. In the extended units, persons who are engaged locally in full-time ministry can negotiate with the supervisor to do a portion of the clinical time in their normal ministry setting. Please see the “Programs” section for more details.
Why is so much training required to become a certified chaplain?
How much training do you want your doctor or airline pilot to have? Pastoral care is important. Those who are trained are better equipped to provide care that truly helps rather than harms the other.
What do chaplains do anyway?
Chaplains provide spiritual and emotional support to patients, family members, and staff members. The goal of the chaplain is to meet people where they are and help them draw upon their spiritual resources. The chaplain is not evangelistic in the sense of trying to convert others to the chaplain’s beliefs. Please see the “Typical Experiences” section for examples.
What do the chaplains do at night?
During the night shift, the chaplain is available to respond to any pastoral care needs, such as emergencies or a patient who is anxious. When not busy, the chaplain can sleep in the on-call room, which is similar to a small dorm room. On average, the chaplain gets at least a few hours of sleep.