Clinical Pastoral Education is a method of learning and improving pastoral skills in a clinical setting under supervision.  The origins of the CPE movement date back to the early part of this century in the work of William Keller, Richard Cabot, Helen Flanders Dunbar, and Anton Boisen.  It was Boisen who suggested that theological inquiry could best be promoted through the study of "living human documents."  CPE has as its goal the integration of pastoral ministry, theology, psychology, and other behavioral sciences. 

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Clinical Pastoral Education at Deaconess Hospital

ACPE-accredited programs have been conducted at Deaconess for over 30 years. Levels I, II, and Supervisory CPE are presently offered.  Participants are enabled to increase their pastoral effectiveness through personal growth and the development of professional competence.  In addition to providing pastoral care to patients, families, and staff, each participant is encouraged to develop learning objectives relevant to his/her needs.  These objectives are addressed through pastoral care experiences, seminars, case conferences, interpersonal group seminars, and individual interviews. Our CPE programs include:

Summer Basic CPE

• Ten-week program offered each summer
• Students may receive academic credit from their respective seminaries.
• Tuition:  $400
• Free lodging is available to single students.
• Application fee:  $35

Winter Extended CPE

• 20 hours per week for 23 weeks beginning in January
• Open to parish clergy, parish nurses and members of religious orders
• Tuition:  $600
• Application fee: $35

Hospital-Parish CPE

• Ten-week program offered each fall and occasionally in the spring
• Open to parish clergy and members of religious orders
• Participants are enabled to receive credit for a full unit of CPE while being in residence at the hospital on less than full-time basis.
• Tuition:  $400
• Application fee:  $35

One-year Residency

• Offered from September through August each year
• Stipend:  $23,600
• Four units of accredited CPE
• Insurance at group rates, use of fitness center, free housing to single participants, two weeks paid vacation
• Tuition: $300 for first unit, $200 for each successive unit
• Application fee:  $35
• Prior CPE preferred but not required

Admission Procedure

• Standard ACPE application
• Admission interview by ACPE supervisor or qualified person for summer and hospital-parish and extended programs
• A more extensive interview process for the residency

History of Deaconess Hospital

In 1892, a group of laypersons and clergy of Evansville formed the Protestant Deaconess Association, laying the groundwork for the hospital.  For the first 30 years of its history, the hospital was administered by nurses who were sisters of the Protestant Deaconess Order.  Sister Sophia Bartelt was the last sister at Deaconess and was 92 years old at the time of her death in 1979.

The Religious Life Department has been an integral part of the hospital milieu for the past 50 years beginning with the ministry of Chaplain Carl Scherzer.  Staff is engaged in patient care, personnel concerns, community service and educational programs, including the Clergy-Physicians Conference which has been held annually for over 50 years.  Two ACPE-certified supervisors are presently on staff:  Charles V. Doughty and Joseph Foster.

While Deaconess Hospital has changed almost daily to remain at the forefront of modern medicine, one thing has remained constant. Deaconess continues to value its christian heritage and its relationship to the United Church of Christ. Learn more about Deaconess Hospital.

To learn more about ACPE-accredited programs at Deaconess Hospital, contact our Religious Life Department at 812/450-2260 or through e-mail .