Clinical Pastoral Education Program | Tampa General Hospital

Clinical Pastoral Education Program

Clinical Pastoral Education Program

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is theological training with integration of knowledge in behavioral sciences and human developmental theory. CPE is for religious leaders of all faith traditions conducted in a clinical setting under the supervision by a person certified by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. The mission of our Clinical Pastoral Education program is to equip students with the ability to provide spiritual care and culturally sensitive support to patients, family members, and team members they encounter in a way that is meaningful to the one receiving care. The weekly training consists of clinical time with patients, verbatim seminars, didactic sessions, interpersonal relations groups (IPR), and individual supervisory consultation.  Through our program, students will learn the following but not limited to:

  • Listening skill

  • Self-awareness

  • Self-compassion

  • Spiritual assessment

  • Crisis intervention

  • Grief and bereavement spiritual support

  • Multicultural competency

  • Interfaith understanding

  • Understand spirituality and mental health

  • Professional engagement with experienced chaplains as preceptors

  • Collaboration with interdisciplinary care teams
                                                   

Residency

Five one-year residency positions in CPE are filled each year. A residency consists of three units of CPE while serving as a chaplain in the hospital, with a full curriculum under the supervision of the faculty of CPE Certified Educators. The residency positions pay a stipend and include excellent benefits. The residency position begins at the end of August each year. One unit of CPE required prior to applying for a residency.

Internship: Extended Unit (Part-Time)

The CPE program offers two extended units each year, in the fall and spring. Both are designed for those not able to be in a full-time program due to work or other additional obligations.

  • Fall Extended Unit: Eight class hours per week; 10 clinical hours each week (with 10 additional clinical hours per month)

  • Spring Extended Unit: Eight class hours each week; two 10-hour clinical shifts each week

Internship: Summer Unit (Part-Time)

An 11-week intensive CPE program is offered each summer. Summer programs are 40-45 hours/week and typically run from June to mid-August. It includes 8 hours a week of class and 32 hours a week in ministry to patients, families and staff.

Certified Educator Program: Positions open at various times.

Current CPE Opportunities

  • Fall Extended Program:August 21, 2023 - January 21, 2024; Eight class hours on Tuesdays; 10 clinical hours each week (with 10 additional clinical hours per month). Meal card provided.

  • Spring Extended Program: February 6, 2023 - May 30, 2023; Eight class hours each week; two 10-hour clinical shifts each week. Meal card provided.

  • Summer Intensive Program: May 29, 2023 – August 25, 2023; 10 seminar hours and 30 clinical hours each week, including day, evening, and/or weekend shifts as assigned. Meal card provided.

  • Chaplain Residency Program:August 21,2023 – August 23, 2024; 40-45 hours per week, including day shifts, evening shifts, weekend shifts and one overnight shift per month. Schedule set in advance in rotation with all chaplain residents.  Stipend of $40,000, medical insurance at team member rates, free parking, and meal card provided.

  • Certified Educator CPE: Positions open at various times.  Contact center.

Admission Requirements and Fees

  • A completed ACPE application
  • An admissions interview with CPE faculty
  • Satisfactory health: freedom from health problems that would preclude patient contact (e.g. communicative disease), or meeting other program requirements (e,g. walking a minimum of three miles per day).
  • Internship: Minimum of bachelor’s level degree required with preference given to applicants who are enrolled or have completed master’s level theological education
  • Residency: Master’s level theological degree (from CHEA accredited school) and one completed unit of CPE in an ACPE accredited center
  • Certified Educator: must meet ACPE standards
  • $35 non-refundable application fee - checks payable to Tampa General Hospital (applied to tuition if accepted into the CPE program)
  • Upon acceptance, a $200 non-refundable acceptance fee is due. This fee will be applied to tuition.
  • Tuition: $400 for initial unit at Tampa General, additional units are $100.
  • TGH’s CPE program operates on a rolling admissions process meaning applications are reviewed as they are received. Decisions for applicant are typically made within a few weeks of submission. Applying early is highly encouraged as our CPE program is a competitive program

Accreditation

All CPE programs at TGH meet the standards of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE). ACPE is recognized as an accrediting agency in the field of clinical pastoral education by the U.S. Secretary of Education, through the U.S. Department of Education. Tampa General Hospital is accredited for Level I, II, and Certified Educator Program by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), Inc.

ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care and Education
We Work, Floor 4
120 West Trinity Place
Decatur GA 30030
(404) 320-1472

Clinical Pastoral Education Faculty

Dr. Yoke Lye L Kwong, BCC, D. Min.
ACPE Certified Educator, National Faculty                               

Rev. Ambrozine Snowden, MDiv.
ACPE Certified Educator Candidate

Contact

For further information about any CPE programs at TGH please submit an inquiry. 

The Center for Spiritual Health and Education
Tampa General Hospital
P.O. Box 1289 Tampa, FL 33601
Phone: (813) 844-7063
Fax: (813) 844-1085

E-mail: cpeprogram@tgh.org