Clinical Pastoral Education

Mercy’s virtual Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) offers a convenient pathway for students to fulfill academic program requirements through a clinical pastoral education unit (400 hours) accredited through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education.
 

Designed with flexibility in mind, this program allows students to complete the required 300 clinical placement hours in a ministry context that aligns with their calling, vocational goals and location. The remaining 100 CPE group hours are conducted in a fully virtual classroom environment.

Together, this structure enables students to complete an accredited CPE unit without needing to relocate. Students may choose one of the two following learning opportunities that best fits their schedule and lifestyle:

• Extended CPE unit offered across the fall or spring
• Intensive CPE unit offered during the summer

In addition, virtual CPE can partner with higher education institutions to develop customized CPE programs that align with specific academic requirements, degree pathways and institutional needs.

Mercy’s virtual Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) provides a convenient, candidate-centered pathway for people seeking formal recognition — such as ordination, commissioning, licensing or endorsement — within their faith body or belief system. Candidates can complete a clinical pastoral education unit (400 hours) accredited through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education virtually while remaining in their current ministry and community.
 

This program offers candidates flexibility by allowing them to complete the required 300 clinical placement hours in a congregational, community or other ministry setting that aligns with their calling, formation goals and location. The remaining 100 CPE group hours are conducted virtually, enabling candidates to fulfill all program requirements without needing to relocate.

Candidates may complete CPE in a format that best supports their formation needs, choosing either an extended CPE unit offered during the fall or spring or an intensive unit offered during the summer. These flexible program options ensure that individual formation requirements and faith body expectations can be thoughtfully and effectively met. 

Mercy’s virtual Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) offers a convenient, professional-friendly pathway for organizations seeking to recruit, train and retain CPE-prepared chaplains through a clinical pastoral education unit (400 hours) accredited through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education.
 

This program provides valuable flexibility by enabling current or future chaplains to complete the required 300 clinical placement hours within their specific institutional setting, congregational context or spiritual care/chaplaincy department. The remaining 100 CPE group hours are conducted in a virtual classroom, allowing all educational requirements to be completed without the need to travel or relocate.

This model supports workforce stability, continuity of care and improved retention for participating institutions and organizations. Unit offerings can be scheduled during the day or evening, providing flexibility to meet both institutional staffing needs and trainee availability. CPE units may be completed in one of the two following formats:

• Extended CPE unit offered across fall or spring
• Intensive CPE unit offered during the summer

In addition, virtual CPE can partner directly with institutions to design customized programs that align with unique organizational missions, service demands and spiritual care priorities.

Mercy’s virtual Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) offers a convenient pathway for professionals of different backgrounds to strengthen their own understanding of self with those they serve.
 

This program helps professionals from various fields — including medical, law enforcement and community services — to sharpen skills and become more comfortable providing empathic service within their scope of practice.

Designed with flexibility in mind, this clinical pastoral education unit (400 hours) accredited through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education is delivered virtually, allowing professionals to complete their required 300 clinical placement hours in a service context that aligns with their calling, vocational goals and location. The remaining 100 CPE group hours are conducted in a fully virtual classroom environment.

Together, this structure enables professionals to complete an accredited CPE unit without needing to relocate. Professionals may choose one of the two following learning opportunities that best fits their schedule and lifestyle:

• Extended CPE unit offered across the fall or spring
• Intensive CPE unit offered during the summer

In addition, virtual CPE can partner with professional organizations to develop customized CPE programs that align with their specific goals, requirements and needs.

Mercy’s virtual Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) provides a convenient, congregant-centered pathway for professionals and teams to develop trained pastoral care providers to assist with meeting the care needs their ministry seeks to serve.
 

Candidates can complete a clinical pastoral education unit (400 hours) accredited through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education virtually while remaining in their current ministry, profession and community.

The program offers meaningful flexibility by allowing learners to complete the required 300 clinical placement hours in a congregational, community or ministry setting that aligns with their calling, formation goals and congregational context. The remaining 100 CPE group hours are delivered through a virtual classroom, enabling laity and pastoral staff to fulfill all program requirements without needing to relocate.

Professionals may choose one of the two following learning opportunities that best fits their schedule and lifestyle:

• Extended CPE unit offered across the fall or spring
• Intensive CPE unit offered during the summer

In addition, virtual CPE can partner with faith communities to develop customized CPE programs that align with their specific vision and needs.