CPEI Education
Answers to common questions about Clinical Pastoral Education, Supervisory Education, admissions, tuition, student expectations, technology, internships, accreditation, and professional pathways at CPEI.
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This FAQ page brings together common questions about CPEI’s education programs, including how CPE and Supervisory Education are structured, what students can expect, how supervision and evaluation work, and how CPEI education connects to broader professional goals.
For official requirements, students should review the Academic Catalog, Student Handbook, program documents, and applicable credentialing or certification requirements.
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Questions about CPE, Supervisory Education, program format, and course structure.
Clinical Pastoral Education, or CPE, is a structured, experiential form of education that prepares individuals to provide spiritual care in real-world settings. At CPEI, students learn through supervised practice, group learning, reflection, and written work designed to strengthen self-awareness, pastoral identity, and care skills.
CPEI’s Certificate in Clinical Pastoral Education includes four courses, CPE 100 through CPE 400, totaling 1,600 hours. Each course is 400 hours and includes learning activities such as small-group work, individual supervision, online lessons, written assignments, and internship or ministry-based practice.
Supervisory Education is CPEI’s advanced educational program for experienced chaplains and spiritual care professionals preparing to become educators and supervisors. The Certificate in Supervisory Education includes SEC 600 through SEC 900 and focuses on teaching, supervision, evaluation, theory, theology, and leadership in Clinical Pastoral Education.
CPEI offers online and hybrid learning options. Students should expect a distance-based learning model that includes online coursework, video conferencing, supervision, peer learning, and approved clinical, ministry, or internship practice.
Often, yes. Many students complete CPE on a part-time basis while balancing employment, ministry, or family responsibilities. Scheduling depends on the educator, course structure, and internship setting, but CPEI’s model is designed to support learners in a variety of contexts.
Questions about weekly expectations, supervision, evaluation, and student development.
A typical week may include ministry or clinical hours at an approved site, participation in peer group sessions, one-on-one supervision with an educator, and written reflection or course assignments. The exact rhythm depends on the student’s schedule, course format, and internship setting, but the program is built around action, reflection, and feedback.
Supervision is central to the learning process. CPE students participate in peer group learning and individual supervision with an educator. Supervisory students move further into the practice of supervision, teaching, group leadership, and evaluation as they progress through SEC 600-900.
Students are evaluated through participation, written assignments, supervision, group process, internship documentation, and formal mid-course and final evaluations. Evaluation is part of the educational process and is intended to support learning, accountability, and growth.
CPEI’s education and credentialing framework is competency-based. Students develop in areas such as self-awareness, theological reflection, ethics, spiritual assessment, crisis and trauma care, grief support, communication, diversity, collaboration, and professional identity. Supervisory students also develop competencies in teaching, group leadership, supervision, and evaluation.
Questions about tuition, financial assistance, and VA education benefits.
Tuition is $1,375 per 400-hour course. The full 1,600-hour certificate in CPE or Supervisory Education totals $5,500. CPEI publishes tuition, fee, payment, and refund information in its official academic documents.
CPEI does not participate in federal student aid programs, but students may have other options. Some may qualify for VA education benefits, employer tuition reimbursement, support from faith group endorsers, or affiliate-based discounts where applicable.
Yes. CPEI is approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to offer education benefits for eligible students in its preparatory CPE and SEC programs. Students are responsible for determining eligibility and following the applicable VA reimbursement process.
Questions about supervised practice, ministry hours, technology requirements, and hospital-based opportunities.
Students complete ministry or internship hours in approved settings that provide meaningful opportunities for pastoral care. These may include hospitals, hospice programs, congregations, correctional facilities, law enforcement agencies, nursing homes, community organizations, and similar environments. CPEI approves the site and requires documentation of hours and site-based assessment.
Students need a computer, webcam, microphone, internet access, and the ability to participate in video conferencing. CPEI uses Zoom as its primary web-based video conferencing platform and publishes minimum technology requirements for students.
They may be. Some students complete their training in hospital-based settings through approved affiliates or site placements. CPEI also provides guidance for hospitals exploring accredited CPE programs, including information relevant to Medicare pass-through funding and hospital-based training models.
Questions about unofficial transcripts, certificates, student records, and withdrawal.
Yes. Students who complete CPE or Supervisory Education can obtain an unofficial transcript through Populi from the student profile and transcript area. Questions about student records, completion documentation, or certificates should be directed to the Registrar.
CPEI uses a published time-based refund schedule. Transcript outcomes also depend on when a student withdraws. In many cases, early withdrawal results in no transcript entry, mid-course withdrawal may result in a W, and later withdrawal may result in the grade earned.
Questions about accreditation, professional recognition, credentialing, and employment outcomes.
Yes. CPEI is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CPEI also publishes standards, academic policies, and student support information to guide its educational work.
CPEI’s education may support several professional pathways. CPEI’s CPE units are recognized by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, approved by APC/BCCI toward chaplain certification, accepted in the VA context through VA education benefits and NAVAC, and connected to additional opportunities through partnerships such as EBCC.
No. Completing a course or certificate does not guarantee employment, credentialing, board certification, endorsement, or reciprocity. Additional requirements may apply depending on the certifying body, endorsing agency, reciprocity process, employer, or professional setting.
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