Curriculum
Clinical Pastoral Education prepares single unit CPE students and chaplain residents for ministry through a process of action and reflection. All Students are regarded as important members of the Pastoral Care Department, and they are assigned to a variety of units within the hospital, where they work closely with other members of the healthcare team.
The Clinical Pastoral Education program provides students with a variety of opportunities to reflect upon their experiences with peers, supervisors and other professionals:
- Didactics: CPE students attend lectures and presentations offered by Pastoral Care staff and professionals from Cincinnati Children’s and the community.
- Interpersonal Relations Group: Students learn to give and receive support clarification and confrontation in a group setting, and become aware of underlying theological and psychological dynamics in group process.
- Clinical Presentation: Students are offered various avenues for reflecting on ministry including verbatims, practicum and spiritual assessments.
- Individual Supervision: Students receive individual supervision either weekly for residents or bi-weekly for extended students. These meetings provide an opportunity for one-on-one reflection by the student and supervisor.
Clinical Pastoral Education Training
Cincinnati Children’s offers a full-time residency program, with the student receiving credit for each unit of Clinical Pastoral Education. It is designed for persons interested in an in-depth training experience that focuses on professional competence in ministry, and includes a pastoral care specialty. Residents take part in a regular on-call rotation and gain broad experience in ministry to patients, families and staff in acute, chronic and crisis situations.
Each resident receives a stipend and additional benefits, including excellent health and dental insurance, meal tickets, paid vacation days and holidays observed by the medical center. (Contact the supervisor for specific information regarding programs currently being offered).
