Community Hospice & Palliative Care is a training center accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. to offer Level I and Level II Clinical Pastoral Education.

What is Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)?

CPE is interfaith professional education for spiritual care. It brings laypersons and clergy of all faiths (pastors, rabbis, imams, and others) into supervised encounters to help patients facing death and families experiencing anticipatory grief.

What is involved in the CPE Program?

At Community Hospice & Palliative Care, the CPE program enables students to provide spiritual care to patients and families, followed by regular in-depth reflection and evaluation with other interns and an ACPE Certified Educator. Interns develop competencies in providing end-of-life care, increase awareness of existential concerns, and reflect upon theological issues related to grief and loss in a multifaith, multicultural setting. Students work alongside an interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, psychosocial specialists, certified nursing assistants, chaplains and volunteers.

Interns are challenged to become aware of the multiple personal, family, cultural, and social beliefs and influences which bring strengths and limitations in their spiritual care. Participation in this small group learning environment with diverse peers enables students to receive feedback regarding interpersonal functioning and increase knowledge of group theory and practice.  Learning to give and receive constructive critique is an expected part of the learning experience.

Each CPE unit provides at least 100 hours of educational time and at least 300 hours of clinical time, which includes regular patient visitation and on-call responsibilities. Students are assigned to visit hospice patients in inpatient facilities, long-term care settings, and patient homes.

Program Dates

We are not accepting applications at this time. If you have any questions, please contact Sam Chinn, ACPE Certified Educator, schinn@communityhospice.com, 904.407.7236. 

Admission Requirements for the CPE Program:

  • Minimum of high school diploma or completion of GED.
  • Ability to self-reflect and exhibit genuine openness to multi-faith perspectives.
  • Affiliation with a faith community (endorsement by leadership to apply for CPE is preferred). 
  • Completed CPE application and submission of $25 non-refundable application fee.
  • Three CPE letters of reference: academic, ecclesiastical and personal.
  • If completed previous CPE, submit all final evaluations and a sample verbatim.

Tuition Payments

  • $500 tuition per unit with $25 application fee applied toward total amount.
  • $250 payment is due by midterm of unit and remainder is due by last day of unit.
  • If a student withdraws up to and including midpoint of unit, the total tuition fee is $250.
  • If a student withdraws any time between midpoint of unit and last day of unit, tuition fee is $500.

Tips for Completing the Application:

  • Submit organized, clear, and grammatically correct writing.
  • Provide thorough responses to application questions and topics.
  • Show transparency of feelings and reflections upon significant life events and relationships.
  • Include a summary of personal and professional strengths and limitations.
  • Demonstrate openness to diverse faith, cultural and socioeconomic perspectives.
  • Articulate clear motivation to learn about oneself and multifaith spiritual care.

Screening Requirements if Accepted into CPE:

  • A Level II background check including fingerprinting.
  • TB skin test and titer.

How to Apply:

We are not receiving applications at this time. 

Download and complete the CPE application and the CPE Letter of Reference form and mail them with your $25 application fee (check payable to Community Hospice & Palliative Care) to:

Department of Spiritual Care and CPE
Community Hospice & Palliative Care
4266 Sunbeam Road
Jacksonville, Florida 32257
Attention: Sam Chinn, 400 Building

Please send a reference form to each of the references listed on your application. After receipt of your completed application and fee and three reference forms, your materials will be reviewed for a possible interview. 

If you have questions, please contact Sam Chinn, ACPE Certified Educator, schinn@communityhospice.com, 904.407.7236. 

Statement of Accreditation:

Community Hospice & Palliative Care is a training center accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. to offer Level I and Level II CPE.

ACPE is the premier, U.S. Department of Education-recognized organization that provides the highest quality CPE programs for spiritual care professionals of any faith and in any setting.

ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care and Education
We Work, Floor 4
120 West Trinity Place
Decatur GA 30030
Phone: 404.320.1472
Fax: 404.320.0849
Email: acpe@acpe.edu
https://www.acpe.edu

*The Clinical Pastoral Education program of Community Hospice & Palliative Care does not discriminate against any person on the basis of age, citizenship, color, handicap, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era.