Clinical Pastoral Education

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is interfaith professional education for spiritual care. It brings laypersons, theological students and clergy of all faiths into supervised encounters with people in crisis. Out of an intense involvement with persons in need, and the feedback from peers and educators, students develop new awareness of themselves and of the needs of those to whom they serve. From theological reflection on specific pastoral encounters, they gain a new understanding of the value and depth of spiritual care. Our programs at Morristown and Overlook medical centers provide a space for the development of skills in interpersonal and interprofessional relationships.

Clinical Pastoral Education serves as a part of one's preparation for parish ministry, chaplaincy, lay ministry, and life in general. Each semester provides students with an opportunity to craft individualized focus on their personal and professional growth and learning. Some students enroll in four units in order to become board certified chaplains. Others enroll in a unit as a requirement by their theological schools and degrees. Some can take courses for credit at their schools or as a discernment of a new path.

Our residents and interns are integrated into the interdisciplinary team in a safe and supportive learning environment. Students will have firsthand experience to offer spiritual care to patients and their loved ones in a variety of specialties. This includes palliative care, cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, emergency and trauma care, pediatrics, behavioral health, intensive care units, labor and delivery, rehabilitation, geriatrics, outpatient services and chronic illnesses. 

Program Details

CPE at Morristown Medical Center

The Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Program at Morristown Medical Center integrates residents and interns into an interdisciplinary team in a safe and supportive learning environment. Students will have firsthand experience to offer spiritual care to patients and their loved ones in a variety of specialties, including palliative care, cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, emergency and trauma care, pediatrics, behavioral health, intensive care units, labor and delivery, and more. The MMC CPE program provides Level 1/Level 2 CPE.

Morristown Medical Center is accredited by:
APCE The Standard For Spiritual Care and Education
1 Concourse Pkwy, Suite 800 Atlanta, GA 30328
Phone: 404-320-1472

Our Programs

Residency

This full-time program begins in late August or early September and ends in early September of the following year. Three 8-hour shifts visiting patients, one education day and one overnight make up the weekly schedule for our residents. The program includes group educational seminars, individual supervision, and clinical assignments.

Residency Program (September 2, 2025 - September 4, 2026)

One unit of ACPE CPE required.

Residents receive 3 CPE units.

This is a salaried position that includes competitive benefits, paid time off, and sick time.

Internship Programs

 Summer Intensive Unit (May 29, 2025 - August 9, 2025)

  • Weekly educational seminars
  • Weekly individual supervision
  • Full-time clinical hours
  • Participation in 24/7 call rotation

32-Week Extended Unit (September 11, 2025 - May 1, 2026)

  • Class day: Tuesdays 1:00pm-4:00pm
  • Bi-weekly individual supervision
  • Part-time clinical hours
  • Participation in 24/7 call rotation

 Tuition & Fees

  •  There is no application fee at this time.
  • Residency tuition: $1000 per unit
  • Internship tuition: $1000 per unit
  • Tuition is due at the beginning of the program. Scholarships are available.

 Application

CPE at Overlook Medical Center

Overlook Medical Center offers Level l (A & B) and Level ll (A & B) extended units and a summer intensive unit. Our interfaith, graduate level professional education is an unpaid internship that consists of 400 hours of supervised learning, including a minimum of 300 hours of direct patient care and 100 hours of education. Chaplains participate in the Spiritual Care Department's 24 hour/7 day-a-week on-call coverage. 

Send us your questions or application by email or call 908-522-2780 for more information. 

Overlook Medical Center’s ACPE program is accredited by:
The Standard For Spiritual Care and Education
1 Concourse Pkwy, Suite 800
Atlanta, GA 30328
Contact via email: accreditation@acpe.edu
Or via phone: 404-320-1472

The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) is nationally 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.

Our Programs

Internship Programs

Summer Intensive Unit
(First Tuesday after Memorial Day – Approximately 12 weeks into August)
  • Weekly educational seminars
  • Weekly individual supervision
  • Full-time clinical hours
  • Participation in 24/7 call rotation

20 Weeks Extended Unit (August – December 31)
  • Class day: Tuesdays or Thursdays (not both) 10:00pm-4:00pm
  • Bi-weekly individual supervision
  • Part-time clinical hours
  • Participation in 24/7 call rotation
20 Weeks Extended Unit (January 1 – Memorial Day)
  • Class day: Tuesdays or Thursdays (not both) 10:00pm-4:00pm
  • Bi-weekly individual supervision
  • Part-time clinical hours
  • Participation in 24/7 call rotation

 Tuition & Fees

  • There is no application fee at this time.
  • Internship tuition: $1000 per unit
  • Tuition is due at the beginning of the program. Scholarships are available.

Application