Frequently Asked Questions
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Johns Hopkins CPE Program offers all three levels of CPE. This includes an initial unit, which is considered Level I training. Level I training is offered during Summer Intensives and the part-time intern program. Every new student begins with Level I training, even if they have completed other academic or related clinical education.
Level II training is offered through the part-time intern program as well as in the residency program. Most students entering the residency program are working on Level II training outcomes.
Supervisory CPE is the third level of training offered. In this program, students learn the art of pastoral supervision.
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You may review the information on this website and download the application for the CPE program. If you have problems downloading this file, please call the CPE Registrar at 410-550-7569 and request the application as an attachment to an email.
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You may check the dates for each of our programs and application deadlines on the Educational Calendar. Decisions are typically made months in advance of the start of a CPE unit.
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Generally students can expect to wait several weeks for an answer.
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The part-time programs at Johns Hopkins and Johns Hopkins Bayview are designed to provide CPE training to those who choose to receive clinical training on a part-time basis. Because groups meet once a week and students have specified, flexible clinical hours, many students continue their present employment while participating in the program. Part-time CPE students participate in the on-call rotation, and one unit of accredited CPE training is granted after approximately six months.
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All CPE programs follow the standards set forth by ACPE, Inc. which include the provision of 300 hours of spiritual care in the hospital and 100 hours of education per unit.
A typical week will include five hours of group/educational meetings on a particular day of the work week. Also, the provision of eight hours of spiritual care in the hospital (7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) is expected during a work week. Every other week in Johns Hopkins, you will also be on-call in the hospital for clinical emergency needs for approximately twelve hours.
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General residents receive a $35,131.20 per year stipend.
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A stipend is not available for students in the part-time intern program or the summer intensive program.
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Most applicants to our CPE Programs possess a Masters Degree in Theology, Divinity or its equivalent. We have, on special occasion, accepted students who are in the process of attaining their advanced degrees.
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There are no scholarship programs available to date.
Tuition is as follows:
- Intern programs $825/CPE unit
- Community Partners program $450/CPE unit
- Residency programs $300/CPE unit ($900 per residency year); $250/CPE unit ($750 per specialized, 2nd residency year)
- Distance Learning programs $3,000/CPE unit
- For student who provides clinical chaplaincy care at a site other than Johns Hopkins $3,000/CPE unit
- Tuition is due on the first day of the CPE unit. If a student would like to set up a payment plan, there is an additional $50 administrative fee.
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International students should send their completed application to us. Once accepted, the student must contact the ACPE national office ([email protected]) to apply for a visa. The visa process can take from six to nine months to complete, and must be obtained before you can begin CPE at Johns Hopkins.
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No. However, most of the applicants accepted into the residency and second-year programs are ordained, endorsed, in good standing within their respective faith traditions.
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Many theological schools and seminaries grant academic credit for CPE. You will contact them directly for this information.
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No. However, your previous work/ministry experience will be considered during your application process.
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The Association of Professional Chaplains (www.professionalchaplains.org), the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (www.nacc.org) and the National Association of Jewish Chaplains (www.najc.org) and other organizations certify chaplains. The American Association of Pastoral Counselors (www.aapc.org) trains and certifies pastoral counselors. Some CPE is required as a prerequisite. You should contact these organizations directly about their requirements.
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First, you will need to apply to the specialized CPE program. If accepted, you will need to negotiate your contract with your current CPE Program. We have found that most CPE programs are flexible and will seek to accommodate students seeking to pursue a specialized year of training.
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The Johns Hopkins CPE program is grateful for a grant from the Foundation of Spirituality and Medicine which makes it possible for us to currently develop an online distance learning program. Please call the CPE registrar at 410-550-7569 for the latest information.
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Clinical Pastoral Education is a prerequisite to volunteering in any capacity through the Department of Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy. However, you are welcome to provide care for your parishioners and members of your religious community. We hope you will come by and introduce yourself to our department.
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The Johns Hopkins Hospital is renowned for its innovative and progressive medicine. The history of over 125 years of care has developed the hospital's reputation around the world as one of the premier places to come for medical attention. The Johns Hopkins Hospital was the first teaching hospital in America and continues to be the most competitive and prestigious places for doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and others to train. Since 1773, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center has continued to commit themselves to better the health of our community through innovation, compassionate care, education and research, and is now a vibrant and modern academic center. Both hospitals have interns and residents from around the world in multiple forms and roles, and operate out of a philosophy of education and innovation.
That same sense of excellence is found in The Johns Hopkins Academic Medicine Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Program, which includes both the Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. With close to 1,500 beds between campuses and with numerous areas of specialty, CPE students are consistently challenged to meet and provide spiritual care to a wide variety of patients, family members, and hospital staff. CPE students at Johns Hopkins can expect to:
- Respond to emergent situations each evening on-call.
- Provide coverage for one of seven specialized Intensive Care Units.
- Attend any number of lectures from world leading educators in their chosen fields.
- Have access to one of the largest medical libraries in the world, and may elect to observe a surgery or autopsy, as part of their learning experience.
- Work alongside staff chaplains and other interdisciplinary team members in a fast-paced environment that works towards what is best, not only for the patients of the hospital, but also their families.
- Be challenged to examine their ministry approaches, their interpersonal postures, and personal and theological meaning making within a large institution.
Each CPE Program includes the fundamental elements of visiting patients, families, and hospital staff; writing and presenting those encounters within a peer group; rotating on the on-call roster; participating in didactic seminars and workshops; actively joining the small group process; pursuing questions and concerns in clinical supervision; and reading and researching books and topics centered upon contemporary chaplaincy practice.
Part-Time (Intern) students can expect the following responsibilities:
- Eight hours of scheduled clinical time (or in two four-hour time blocks), providing spiritual care for patients in the hospital who request to see a chaplain or have been consulted by staff
- Approximately 3-4 hours written work each week
- Weekly group sessions, generally for five hours
- Twelve hour on-call shifts on weekends, Friday through Sunday
- One supervisory session every two weeks
Full-Time (General Resident & Specialized Resident) students can expect the following responsibilities:
- 40+ hour weeks, providing spiritual care for patients on assigned clinical areas and responding to emergent needs throughout the hospital
- Approximately 4-5 hours written work each week
- 5-7 presentations per training unit
- On-call rotation that may include a week day each week, and a weekend or holiday
- Group sessions twice weekly
- Supervisory sessions once weekly
Supervisory Education students can expect a specialized education unique to their individual needs that exceeds the standard of ACPE, Inc. for supervisory education.
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The Johns Hopkins Academic Division Clinical Pastoral Education Program is not able to provide visa sponsorship for international applicants to our programs. Applicants must have authorization to work or study in the United States before applying.