About Us
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the dates for the Extended CPE Program 2009?
- What are the dates for the CPE Residency Program 2009/10?
- How much tuition do I need to pay?
- Which clinical placements are available?
- What is the Professional Advisory Group?
- I am an International Applicant – how can I apply?
- I am a Roman Catholic Priest – do I need to take additional steps if I want to apply?
- What is on-call like?
- What is a normal day or week in the Residency program like?
- Can I get seminary credit for CPE?
- What does CPE enable a person to do?
What are the dates for the Extended CPE Program 2009?
Our next Extended CPE program will take place later in 2009. The classes take place on Wednesdays from 10:00am-4:00pm or from 12:00-4:00pm, depending on the length of the program. The duration of the program varies between 19 – 26 weeks. In addition to classroom seminars you will have approximately 8-10 hours of clinical time and on-call time combined.
What are the dates for the CPE Residency Program 2009/10?
The Residency program 2009/10 will begin on August 17, 2009 and end on August 27, 2010. Applications are being received now. Please check the “application process” link for more detailed information.
How much tuition do I need to pay?
The tuition is $250.00 per unit of CPE.
A one time application fee in the amount of $50.00 is due with the submission of the application material.
Which clinical placements are have available?
The three Corpus Christi facilities cover a great range of clinical areas, including behavioral medicine, trauma care, intensive care, labor and delivery, medical and orthopedic specialties etc. If you are interested I a specific clinical field, feel free to discuss this with the CPE supervisor.
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What is the Professional Advisory Group?
The Professional Advisory Group (PAG) functions like a “board” to the CPE program. It is comprised of community and hospital professionals of diverse specialties. The PAG members serve on the interview committee, they offer clinical seminars for the CPE students, they conduct exit interviews at the end of the program. They also advise the CPE supervisors on how to improve the program. They help with the maintenance of the ACPE Accreditation status of the program. One member of the PAG functions as a CPE liaison and visits with the Residents as a group once or twice during a unit of CPE. The PAG meets quarterly.
I am an International Applicant – how can I apply?
At this time we can only process international applicants who are permanent US Residents. The only exception right now extends to Roman Catholic Priests whose Religious worker visa is sponsored by the Diocese of Corpus Christi.
I am a Roman Catholic Priest – do I need to take additional steps if I want to apply?
Yes! You need to first contact the Bishop of the Diocese of Corpus Christi (or have your current bishop contact him) to make sure that he would accept your transfer into this diocese and grant you faculties to perform sacramental ministry. Once that has been granted, you can submit your CPE application to us.
What is on-call like?
Students often are on-call overnight and on weekends and selected holidays. While they are the chaplains responsible for the ministry at the hospitals, there is always a back-up chaplain and a back-up priest available to support them, to give information or to come in to the hospital if needed.
On-call can be demanding since Memorial is the level II trauma center for a large area of South Texas. We also serve as a psychiatric assessment and triage center for numerous counties. On-call chaplains make rounds at the Memorial and Shoreline campuses (which are 1.3 miles apart) in the Emergency rooms and Intensive Care units. They respond to all emergencies, codes and deaths. They provide spiritual and emotional support to patients, their loved ones and staff members.
What is a normal day or week in the Residency program like?
Each CPE day starts with morning report and prayer. We have classes usually on three days a week, some in the morning, and others in the afternoon. Individual supervision with the CPE supervisor takes place once a week. Your supervisor will also occasionally go with you to make joint patient visits. The remaining time is spend in clinical ministry and on-call ministry. Our Residents have on-site chaplain mentors. These are experienced staff chaplains with specific clinical knowledge of the assigned area in which a Resident will work.
Can I get seminary credit for CPE?
Many seminaries offer academic credit for a unit of CPE, which is post-graduate education for ministry. You need to check with your seminary in advance to ensure that you are eligible to receive credit for CPE.
What does CPE enable a person to do?
CPE enables clergy to hone their pastoral care skills. It equips institutional chaplains with knowledge and skills relevant to their ministry as chaplains. It also helps lay persons develop their particular calling and skills in ministry. Four units of CPE (among other requirements) are required for board certification as a chaplain.
For additional questions you may have please refer to:
http://www.acpe.edu/faq.htm
