ACPE-Accredited Clinical Pastoral Education
Choose the CPE Path That Fits Your Life
CISF offers ACPE-accredited Clinical Pastoral Education through live online education and supervision while students complete clinical formation in an approved setting where they serve.
Choose from 10, 16, and 26-week formats, with multiple entry points and weekly cohort options throughout the year.
One CPE Unit
•300 Clinical Hours
•100 Educational & Supervisory Hours
Three Ways to Complete a CPE Unit
A more distributed format designed for students balancing CPE with significant work, ministry, family, military, or other responsibilities.
Entry points
December • March • June • September
Students may begin in any quarter and complete up to two 26-week terms per year.
A moderately concentrated format for students able to sustain a faster clinical and educational rhythm.
Terms
February–May September–December
The most concentrated format.
Terms
June–Mid-August
Exact dates and meeting times are TBD.
When can you start?
Start Throughout the Year
CISF offers multiple entry points throughout the year so students can choose the pace and start term that best fit their lives.
26-Week Extended · September or March start
Averages 12.5 clinical hours per week. Up to two units per year; four units take a minimum of two years.
26-Week Extended · December or June start
Averages 12.5 clinical hours per week. Up to two units per year; four units take a minimum of two years.
16 + 10 + 16 · One Calendar Year
Three units in one calendar year (16 + 10 + 16); four units take a minimum of 58 weeks.
26-Week Extended
22 class weeks within a 26-week period, allowing flexibility around holiday weeks such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Students have 25 weeks to complete clinical hours — an average of 12.5 hours per week. Entry points in December, March, June, and September. Up to two units per year; four units take a minimum of two years.
16-Week Extended
A moderately concentrated format completed over approximately four months. Students average 18.75 clinical hours per week. Terms run February–May and September–December.
10-Week Summer Intensive
The most concentrated format, running June to Mid-August. Students average 30 clinical hours per week. Exact dates and meeting times are TBD.
All cohort meeting times are Eastern Time (ET).
Weekly cohorts
Choose Your Cohort
Once you choose your track and entry point, select the weekly cohort time that best fits your schedule.
26-Week Cohorts
Tuesday Afternoon
12:00–3:00 PM ET
Term: December–May
Educator: Joanna Tarr, CE
Monday Evening
6:00–9:00 PM ET
Term: March–August
Educator: TBD
Tuesday Evening
6:00–9:00 PM ET
Term: March–August
Educator: Karen Hutt, CE
Wednesday Evening
6:00–9:00 PM ET
Term: March–August
Educator: TBD
Thursday Evening
6:00–9:00 PM ET
Term: March–August
Educator: Karen Hutt, CE
Friday Afternoon
3:30–6:30 PM ET
Term: March–August
Educator: Tom Carter, CE
26-week cohorts have entry points in December, March, June, and September.
16-Week Cohort
Afternoon Section
Day & time TBD
Term: February–May
Educator: Matthew O'Brien, CE
16-week terms run February–May and September–December.
10-Week Summer Intensive
Meeting Time
TBD
Term: June to Mid-August
Educator: TBD
Exact Summer dates and meeting times are still being finalized.
One Unit. Clinical Practice and Reflective Formation.
300 Clinical Hours
Spiritual care practice in your approved clinical setting.
100 Educational & Supervisory Hours
Live online seminars and individual supervision.
Live Online Educational Seminars
Real-time group learning with peers and educators.
Individual Supervision
One-on-one reflection with an ACPE Certified Educator.
Interpersonal Process
Relational learning within the cohort group.
Verbatim / Case Reflection
Structured written reflection on actual encounters.
Theological & Spiritual Integration
Connecting practice with faith, meaning, and tradition.
Peer Learning & Feedback
Growth through shared reflection and honest feedback.
How the learning works
Your Clinical Encounters Become the Curriculum
Clinical Pastoral Education begins with real human encounters.
Students provide spiritual care in their clinical settings and then bring those experiences into supervision, case reflection, interpersonal process, and theological or spiritual integration.
CISF asks students to examine not only what happened in an encounter, but what they themselves brought into the room—their assumptions, reactions, emotions, beliefs, patterns, strengths, and growing edges.
This is where clinical practice becomes formation.
ACPE Formation Built Around Real Life
ACPE Accredited
Complete Clinical Pastoral Education through an ACPE-accredited center.
No Relocation Required
Participate in education and supervision online while completing approved clinical formation where you live and serve.
Multiple Paces
Choose among 10, 16, and 26-week formats.
Formation-Centered
Develop clinical competence alongside self-awareness, relational maturity, reflective practice, and spiritual integration.
Who this may fit
CPE for People Doing the Work of Spiritual Care
Working & Aspiring Chaplains
For those entering chaplaincy or continuing their professional formation.
Clergy & Seminary Students
For ministers and theological students seeking deeper clinical formation.
Military Chaplains & Candidates
For those integrating spiritual care formation with military ministry.
Hospice & Healthcare Spiritual Care Professionals
For caregivers working in settings where suffering, meaning, grief, and presence matter every day.
Spiritual Directors & Pastoral Caregivers
For those seeking deeper self-awareness, reflective practice, and formation in spiritual accompaniment.
Professionals Transitioning into Chaplaincy
For those discerning or preparing for a move into professional spiritual care.
What does it cost?
Plan Your Investment
Tuition and payment information are maintained separately so students can review the most current costs and available payment arrangements before applying.
Talk with someone
Not Sure Which Track Fits You?
Talk with us about your schedule, clinical setting, previous CPE experience, professional goals, and questions about the 10, 16, or 26-week formats.
Ready to begin?
Ready to Begin Your Next CPE Unit?
Choose the track, entry point, and weekly cohort that fit your life and begin the application process.