History

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) emerged in the early twentieth century as theological educators began exploring how to connect classroom learning with real-world ministry.

Rev. Anton T. Boisen, a Presbyterian minister and pioneer of clinical pastoral training, emphasized learning through engagement with what he called "living human documents"—the real experiences of people facing illness, crisis, and spiritual struggle.

In 1925, at Worcester State Hospital in Massachusetts, Boisen began supervising theological students who served as hospital attendants during the day and gathered for reflection and seminars in the evening. Around the same time, Dr. Richard Cabot of Harvard Medical School introduced a case-study model for clinical training that emphasized observation, documentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Together, these early efforts helped lay the foundation for modern clinical pastoral education.

In 1930, leaders in theology and medicine formed the Council for Clinical Training to support and organize this new approach to ministerial education.

Over the following decades, several organizations developed clinical training programs for clergy and pastoral caregivers. By 1967, many of these groups united to form the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), helping standardize CPE training across hospitals, correctional institutions, congregations, and other ministry settings.

Additional organizations later emerged, reflecting the growing diversity and global reach of chaplaincy education.

Clinical Pastoral Education International (CPEI), Inc. was established in 2018 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to high-quality clinical pastoral education.

From its beginning, CPEI has sought to:

• Welcome students from diverse faith traditions
• Provide rigorous, life-transforming clinical pastoral education
• Offer accessible programs through innovative educational models

CPEI's programs combine experiential ministry with online and hybrid learning, allowing students to participate in accredited CPE while serving in hospitals, hospices, correctional institutions, congregations, and community ministries.

In 2020, CPEI received accreditation through the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), affirming its commitment to recognized standards in continuing education and professional training.

In 2024, CPEI became accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

In recent years, CPEI has reached several important milestones that strengthen professional pathways for students and graduates:

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognition, allowing eligible veterans and service members to use VA education benefits for CPEI programs
• Acceptance of CPEI's CPE units by the National Association of Veterans Affairs Chaplains (NAVAC)
• Approval by the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) and the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. (BCCI) as a provider of CPE toward board certification
• Partnership with the Evangelical Board of Certified Chaplains (EBCC), supporting certification pathways for evangelicals serving in healthcare settings
• Recognition of CPEI's CPE units by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC)

Today, CPEI advances clinical pastoral education through accredited programs, professional credentialing, and innovative learning environments.

Guided by its mission, CPEI equips chaplains and spiritual care professionals to serve with compassion and competence across diverse settings.

Together with its students, faculty, and partners, CPEI continues to strengthen the practice of spiritual care—preparing professionals who listen deeply and serve with presence.