UnityPoint Health - Des Moines

Clinical Pastoral Education

UnityPoint Health - Des Moines enjoys a rich history as a faith-based, not-for-profit health care organization where pastoral care is valued as a vital component of the care of patients and their families. Our Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) programs provide a clinical ministry immersion experience that sets the stage for profound learning, personal growth, meaning-making and wholeness. CPE provides clinical education for clergy, theological students, members of religious orders and laypersons.

CPE Programs

UnityPoint Health - Des Moines is accredited by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc (ACPE). We have been offering CPE for over 51 years. Our program and Spiritual Care is well integrated into the hospitals and a valued part of patient care.

Each unit of CPE is a minimum 400 clock hours, consisting of 100 hours of structured education and 300 hours of supervised clinical education. All CPE units are led by ACPE Certified Educators or ACPE Certified Associate Educators, who base education on ACPE Standards.

Summer CPE Intensive Internship

This program is designed primarily for entry-level students such as seminarians, ordained clergy, qualified laypersons and postgraduate theology students fulfilling a prerequisite for CPE. The summer intensive unit is a full-time, 11-week program.

Summer 2020 meets May 26 through August 9, 2020.

We will begin interviewing in January and February 2020. To apply, complete the application at the bottom of this page. We do not require an application fee. Tuition is $1000.

Extended CPE Internships

This CPE program is a part-time extended unit. It is designed for working clergy people who cannot commit to a full-time program. It is open to seminarians, ordained clergy, qualified laypeople and others needing a unit of CPE. We typically offer two units each year in fall and spring. It meets one day per week, generally Monday, in addition to required clinical hours.

Fall Extended 2019 - This unit is cancelled.

Spring Extended 2020 meets January 6, 2020 - April 27, 2020

We will begin interviewing in September and October 2019. To apply, complete the application at the bottom of this page. We do not require an application fee. Tuition is $1,000.

Residency

The residency is a full-time, year-long program (3 CPE units) designed for ordained clergy, postgraduate students and qualified religious leaders preparing for specialized ministry or seeking to enhance their pastoral care skills. The residency offers opportunities for students to focus on particular specializations depending on their interest. Examples of areas for focused specializations may include: Behavioral Medicine, Chemical Dependency, Pediatrics, Oncology, Palliative Care and Trauma.

Residency 2019-2020 meets August 12, 2019 - August 21, 2020

The stipend is $34,000 with health benefits; domestic partner coverage; paid days off; books/materials provided. We require one unit of Level I ACPE CPE and a Masters of Divinity or equivalent graduate theological degree.

To apply, complete the application at the bottom of this page. We do not require an application fee. Tuition is $1000.

UnityPoint Health - Des Moines is accredited to offer Level I, Level II and Supervisory CPE by The Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. One West Court Square, Ste. 325, Decatur, GA 30030. (404)320-1472; www.acpe.edu.

UnityPoint Health - Des Moines does not discriminate based on age, race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status.

Click here for the ACPE UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Application
Click here for the ACPE Application Writing Guide