Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is interfaith professional education for those interested in providing spiritual care to patients, families and staff in a clinical setting. It brings laypersons and ministers of all faiths (pastors, priests, rabbis, imams and others) into supervised encounters with persons in crisis, experiencing trauma and at end of life.
Out of these life-changing interactions with people in need, and through feedback from peers and teachers, students develop a new awareness of themselves as people and of the needs of those to whom they minister. CPE uses theology, behavioral sciences and adult education to help students reflect and gain a new understanding of their ministry practice.
By collaborating with Children’s interdisciplinary team and clinical staff chaplains, students also develop skills in interpersonal and interprofessional relationships.
CPE students are placed at Egleston Hospital, where they have a unique opportunity to explore spiritual care in a pediatric hospital, with an emphasis on family dynamics, systems theory and the holistic development of children. Specialty care areas include:
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center
- Emergency Department
- Heart Center
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
- Solid Organ Transplant
- Technology-Dependent Intensive Care Unit (TICU)
Children’s is accredited to offer Level I/II and Supervisory CPE by The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc.
Children’s CPE program is accredited by ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care & Education. ACPE-certified educators are clinical pastoral educators who are academically prepared and who are authorized by either a spiritual or religious community, or by means of a spiritual or religious community affiliation and ACPE, to combine perspectives from theology and the behavioral sciences in conducting accredited programs of clinically supervised education.
CPE Internship Program (Rolling Admissions)
Summer 2024
May 28, 2024—August 9, 2024
Tuition: $500.00
CPE Chaplain Resident Program (Application Deadline: December 1, 2023)
May 28, 2024—April 26, 2025
Enrollment Fee: $250.00
Unit Dates
- Unit 1: May 28, 2024—August 30, 2024
- Unit 2: September 16, 2024—December 20, 2024
- Unit 3: January 5, 2025—April 26, 2025
CPE Certified Educator Candidate Program
Currently, Children’s is not offering CPE Certified Educator training.
The CPE Programs fill up quickly and candidates are encouraged to apply early.
- The CPE Internship program has rolling admissions.
- The CPE Chaplain Resident Program application deadline is December 1st.
What is the Admission Criteria for Children's Clinical Pastoral Education Programs?
CPE Chaplain Intern Program
Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, as well as prior ministry involvement or experience as clergy or laity. To apply:
- Complete the ACPE application and provide three references.
- Complete an admissions interview with an ACPE Certified Educator and the CPE Leadership Team.
- Obtain a positive health clearance from Employee Health.
- Pass the required Children’s criminal background check prior to the start of the program.
CPE Chaplain Resident Program
Candidates must have a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university, ordination or ministry experience as clergy or laity and should have successfully completed one unit of ACPE CPE (Level 1A). To apply:
- Complete the ACPE application and provide three references.
- Complete an admissions interview with an ACPE Certified Educator and the CPE Leadership Team.
- Obtain a positive health clearance from Employee Health.
- Pass the required Children’s criminal background check prior to the start of the program.
To submit your completed application and references:
- Email the completed application CPE@choa.org and call 404-785-3996 to pay the $60 application fee by phone using your credit card.
- You may also mail your completed application and a $60 check made payable to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to:
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care Department
Ground Floor
1405 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30322
For more information about our Clinical Pastoral Education Program, email CPE@choa.org or call 404-785-3996.
Rev. Amanda A. N. Alexander, MDiv
ACPE Certified Educator
Clinical Pastoral Education Program Manager
Rev. Samantha Snellgrove, MDiv
Lead CPE Chaplain
For more information on ACPE, please contact ACPE, Inc.:
1 Concourse Pkwy, Suite 800
Atlanta, GA 30328
Phone: 404-320-1472
Fax: 404-320-0849
Contact Us 404-785-3996