Columbine Health Systems Clinical Pastoral Education is an ACPE Provisionally Accredited provider of CPE in Northern Colorado.
WHAT IS COLUMBINE HEALTH SYSTEMS CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION (CHSCPE)?
CHSCPE offers Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) programs in which individuals, in the role of chaplains, learn to strengthen the spiritual health of people in their care as well as their own spiritual health.
CHSCPE offers an Extended Unit of Level I / Level II CPE, the program running from January to June 2025. Each program meets the requirements to complete one unit of CPE.
The CPE units completed at CHSCPE meet the requirements for Board Certification for Chaplaincy, which requires completing four units of CPE. The Association For Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. (ACPE) accredited the program.
The clinical setting for CHSCPE is Columbine Health Systems, the leading provider of residential, rehabilitative, and medical care to seniors in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Windsor. Columbine also offers care, at all levels, for people living with dementia.
WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF THE CHSCPE PROGRAM?
CHSCPE is offering an Extended (part-time) CPE program which runs from January to June 2025. The program will meet the requirements of the Association For Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) and will consist of 400 total hours, including both clinical ministry and process education. Students (chaplain interns) will meet the first week for orientation to Columbine Health Systems and the CPE program. Thereafter, students will meet in group one half-day each week for process education, and approximately 12 hours per week for clinical ministry. The group meeting time will be determined by the ACPE Educator, taking into consideration the availability of the students. Clinical ministry time will be determined by the needs of the Columbine Health System communities and the availability of the students. It is expected that students will offer some of their ministry during weekend hours.
Students will meet individually for supervision with the ACPE Educator on a regular basis, on a mutually agreed upon schedule. The program curriculum will provide resources for learning which include group process education, reading, preparation of written case studies and reflections, and presentations by stakeholders in the program on topics relevant to spiritual care.
Clinical ministry will be offered in the Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living communities of Columbine Health Systems in Fort Collins, Loveland and Windsor, Colorado. Students will be connected to one Columbine Health Systems community, as well as having opportunities to learn about how care is provided throughout Columbine Health Systems. Clinical ministry will include service to residents living in Memory Care.
Program Information
Dates: Monday, January 6 - Friday, June 13, 2025
Time Requirements:
Program Orientation January 6 - 10 (Full week)
Weekly Group Meeting Half-day (4 hours)
Clinical Ministry 12 hours per week (average)
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS?
We encourage potential applicants to apply now! We have a rolling application policy; we will interview candidates as we receive applications, until our student cohort is filled. We strongly advise those who are interested to apply to our program by November 15, 2024. Depending on the status of our student cohort, we may accept applications after that time.
WHO SHOULD TAKE CPE AT COLUMBINE HEALTH SYSTEMS?
Participants pursue CPE for a variety of reasons. Some are interested in pursuing a career in chaplaincy, while others are looking for a time of extended discernment about a career or calling. Students may also be currently involved in ministry—as professionals or volunteers—and wish to utilize CPE to augment their skills. We welcome everyone seeking to learn more about strengthening spiritual health.
The Intern program provides individuals with an experience in clinical ministry and process education. Students have the opportunity to assess their strengths and limitations as providers of spiritual care and reflect on their ministerial identity and authority. An Intern program experience, as well as being a credential often required by degree programs and ordination processes, can help those moving toward a helping profession gain clarity about their next steps.
Professional certification for chaplaincy requires 1,600 hours (approx. one year full-time) of clinical experience. Like all ACPE programs, the CHSCPE Intern program provides 400 hours of clinical experience.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER THE CHSCPE PROGRAM?
All students accepted in the program shall be able (with reasonable accommodation to physical and emotional needs) to perform the duties as required of the role of student Chaplain. All participants must be open to learning, change, and growth.
Admissions Criteria
Completion of a standard ACPE application form.
Minimum education requirements: graduation from high school or GED; Preferred education requirements: graduation from college, attending or graduated from seminary of graduate theological education
Favorable admissions interview by the Certified Educator or other qualified interviewer.
Favorable review of application by staff.
Acceptance into the CPE group by the Certified Educator.
Arrangement for payment of fees. Tuition for one unit of CHSCPE is $ 1,295.
There is no application fee.
If an applicant is accepted into the CPE program, the following are required, which are provided by Columbine Health Systems at no additional cost:
1. Influenza vaccination and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as indicated
2. Background check
3. Signed Agreement for Training
4. Signed Release of Information Consent Form
NOTE: COVID vaccinations are not required.
HOW WILL I BE SUPPORTED WHILE PARTICIPATING IN CPE?
Applicants accepted into the CHSCPE CPE program have the opportunity for a dynamic and engaging education experience.
Students receive individual and group supervision regularly as part of the learning process.
The Certified Educator is the primary resource person for students and is available to them for their professional and personal development.
Students work with a chaplain mentor to support their learning in the clinical setting.
A Professional Advisory Council consisting of program stakeholders provides consultation and support to students and Certified Educators.
The staff of Columbine Health Systems partners with students to provide spiritual care to residents and their loved ones.
Students have the opportunity to access the continuing education resources provided by Columbine Health Systems.
CHSCPE is an ACPE-accredited program that does not discriminate against persons because of race, ethnicity, religious/spiritual tradition, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, faith group, or military status. All members of the faculty, student body, and staff are expected to participate in making this policy valid.
Individuals interested in participating in CPE at Columbine Health Systems should click the ACPE logo below to access the ACPE application. Please email your completed application to: peter.strening@columbinehealth.com
For more information contact:
Chaplain Peter Strening
ACPE Certified Educator
Columbine Health Systems – New Mercer Commons
900 Centre Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80526
Phone: 970-817-1409
Applications submitted electronically are preferred.
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