Contextual Education

CPE is completed in many kinds of settings under the supervision of a chaplain supervisor accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education. Settings include, but are not limited to hospitals, hospice centers, rehabilitation centers, and parish-based settings.

In consultation with their academic advisor, students may choose from intensive units (typically fulltime for 10 weeks), extended units (part time over several months), and virtual units (extended units that begin with an in-person retreat and continue with supervision and cohort work done virtually).

Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Diaconal Ministry students complete an internship under the guidance of an experienced minister-supervisor.

MDiv students are assigned to an internship site through a prayerful process of discernment by the Contextual Education Committee, MADM students work collaboratively with Contextual Ed, their Academic Advisor, and their Synod Candidacy Committee to determine and secure an appropriate internship experience. Supervisors, congregations, and agencies are viewed as an extension of the faculty in this important dimension of theological education.