Seminarians, ordained clergy, committed lay persons and religious leaders are encouraged to apply to The Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program at Christ Hospital. CPE will help you deepen your understanding of the spiritual dimension of the human condition as you participate in a dynamic learning experience with other students, and as you reflect upon your pastoral encounters with patients, families and their loved ones. Through clinical seminars, discussions, peer group meetings and individual conferences, students reflect on a wide range of theological issues facing people in crisis. Participants grow personally, professionally and spiritually, and develop excellent pastoral skills as they minister on a regular basis to those in greatest need.

The Reverend Anton Boisen started the Clinical Pastoral Education movement in Worcester, MA in the 1920's. Through his personal experience, he recognized that illness had a religious dimension. He believed that patients, "the living human documents," are "the primary sources for understanding human nature."

Today, CPE is an exciting, challenging process of education in which patients are seen as the primary teachers. Students explore how their own faith and life experiences shape their pastoral identity and functioning. Through group interaction and participation in an interdisciplinary team approach, they strengthen interpersonal and professional skills while gaining a new understanding of ministry and of themselves as spiritual caregivers.

The Christ Hospital CPE program is one of only 350 fully accredited CPE programs in the country. The program is run by Christ Hospital, a faith-based institution affiliated with the Episcopal Church, located in historic Jersey City. The program is based in an urban setting, in a hospital whose mission has always been to serve the multi-ethic, multi-cultural, and multi-faith population of Hudson County.

Each CPE group is intentionally small and personalized, limited to no more than seven persons per group. A unit of Clinical Pastoral Education consists of a minimum of 400 hours of clinical ministry and education. Christ Hospital offers Level I and Level II CPE and offers some opportunities for Supervisory CPE as well.

Part Time: These units are designed for busy professionals who wish to participate in a unit of study while maintaining ongoing commitments. The Part Time or Extended Units run for 25 - 30 weeks and are offered from October through May. The program requires approximately 15 hours per week: Classes meet once a week, and there are flexible clinical hours.

We encourage ordained clergy, committed lay persons, seminarians and religious leaders to apply. Applicants are accepted on a rolling admissions basis. A solid candidate will be motivated and willing to learn by deeply reflecting upon his or her life, theology, and pastoral work.

Jersey City is located on the western bank of the Hudson River, just across from lower Manhattan. Jersey City is often referred to as "America's Golden Door" because of the many immigrants that came here after passing through Ellis Island.

Today, Jersey City continues to welcome a large number of immigrants and there are over 160 languages spoken in our community. In addition to the kaleidoscope of cultural, ethnic, racial and religious diversities, Christ Hospital grapples with the socio-economic challenges and political issues that are attendant to such a unique urban setting.

Christ Hospital, founded in 1874, was born out of a vision for inclusive health care. Episcopal clergy of the area formed Christ Hospital with the mission to serve everyone regardless of their faith tradition or background.

Download the application and three copies of the reference form. Fill out the application fully, including the required essays and mail it to the above address. Give the reference forms to three persons and have them mail them to us. Once we receive your completed application with essays and your three reference forms, we will contact you to set up an interview. If you are unable to come for an on-site interview, you can submit a proxy interview and we will set up a phone interview. You may also visit the ACPE web-site for further information about CPE, our Standards and the national organization and other centers or supervisors in your area. www.acpe.edu