Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) was begun in 1925 as a form of theological education that takes place not exclusively in academic classrooms, but also in clinical settings where ministry is being practiced. CPE is offered in many kinds of settings: in hospitals and health care including university, children's, and veterans' facilities; in hospices; in psychiatric and community care facilities; in workplace settings; in geriatric and rehabilitation centers; and in congregational and parish-based settings. The textbooks for CPE include in-depth study of "the living human documents." By "living human documents," we mean both the people who receive care as well as a study of ourselves, the givers of care. Through the practice of ministry and the reflection thereon with supervisor and peers, the experiential learning that is CPE takes place. 

Among the 2,600 members that make up the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education are some 350 ACPE Accredited CPE Centers and about 600 ACPE certified faculty members (called CPE Supervisors).  There are 113 Theological Schools Members and 23 Faith Groups and Agencies who are partners with ACPE in seeking to provide excellence in theological education. Other groups of ACPE members are Clinical Members (over 500), students, individuals, Retired Supervisors, retired members, and ACPE Networks. 

Since ACPE formed in 1967 (as a merger of four CPE organizations), nearly 150,000 units of CPE have been offered to about 65,000 individuals from the United States and many other countries internationally. Approximately 7,000 units of CPE are completed annually. CPE students come from many different ethnic and cultural groups. Individuals from many faith traditions -- Protestant, Roman Catholic, Judaism, Islam, Orthodox Christian, Native American religions and Buddhism -- have taken CPE.

For more on the roots and background of ACPE, visit our History Corner.

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