Yes. Buen Vivir CPE is accredited by ACPE. All units comply with standards set by the ACPE (Association for Clinical Pastoral Education).  Website: www.acpe.edu (http://www.acpe.edu)

Any individual who, through a written application and an admissions interview, has demonstrated the ability to participate in ACPE certified CPE, usually one who has completed at least one year of theological school. And such other requirements or education and experience as a specific ACPE Center may require.

• Complete the ACPE CPE application and admissions documentation.  • Understand the 12-week commitment.  • Submit assignments through Canvas.  • Attend all Zoom group sessions.  • Maintain professional communication and responsiveness.  • Complete supervised clinical practice in spiritual care ethically.  • Have a quiet, private, confidential space for online sessions.

At this time, supervised clinical practice in spiritual care hours must be completed in locations that are within the United States.

Yes, Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is required to become a Certified Chaplain.  Requirements vary by certifying organization, so you should consult the board through which you plan to seek certification for specific details. Some board certifying organizations, including the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), Association of Muslim Chaplains, and the Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC), may have different requirements.  Please contact each organization directly to confirm their current certification standards.

Buen Vivir CPE provides ACPE-accredited CPE units. At the conclusion of each unit, we issue an electronic certificate of completion.  Buen Vivir CPE does not provide paper certificates.  A student will receive a certificate for each unit that they complete.   An asterisk in the certificate title indicates that the student is eligible to enroll in the next level of CPE.

Buen Vivir CPE is an ACPE accredited program; any unit completed in an ACPE program meets the same standards set by the ACPE.

A CPE unit includes:  • 100 hours of structured group and individual education  • 300 hours of supervised clinical practice in spiritual care  All hours must be completed during the official unit period.  One CPE credit is awarded per successfully completed unit.  Students may progress through Levels: IA, IB, IIA, and IIB.

• All hours must be completed during the official unit period. All 300 hours must be supervised clinical practice in spiritual care  • The 300 hours of supervised clinical practice in spiritual care must be completed in a role that is fully dedicated as a chaplaincy/ spiritual care provider.

Clinical sites must:  • Provide spiritual care services  • Have enough patient/client volume  • Provide an approved Preceptor  Examples include: Hospitals, hospice or palliative care, congregations, shelters, schools, mental health settings, military chaplaincy, nonprofits, etc.

This program is designed primarily for students who are already employed or actively serving in a care setting.  Many students complete their clinical practice in spiritual care at their current workplace or ministry site, provided it meets ACPE supervision requirements.

Buen Vivir CPE works exclusively with ACPE Certified Educators. To become an ACPE Certified Educator or a professional chaplain, individuals must earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from a nationally or regionally accredited university or seminary. The following websites can help determine whether an educational institution’s accreditation is officially recognized:    • Council of Higher Education Association (http://www.chea.org/) • Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (http://www.css.msa.org/) • New England Association of Schools and Colleges (http://www.neasc.org/) • North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (http://www.ncacihe.org/) • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (http://www.sacs.org/) • Western Association of Schools and Colleges (http://www.acswasc.org/) • Association of Theological Schools (http://www.ats.edu/) • U.S. Department of Education (http://www.ed.gov/)

You will have group sessions via Zoom or Teams two days a week, from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. Throughout the week, you will complete 2 to 3 assignments, as well as required documentation and forms. You will also have a 1 hour individual session with your educator, with a variety of scheduling options so you can choose what best fits your availability.   You will be required to complete 25 hours of in-person spiritual care practice at your practicum site, distributed throughout the week at mutually agreed-upon times. During this time, you will apply what you have learned in class. You will prepare presentations based on your practicum experiences to share with the rest of the group.  In addition, you will complete an individual research project on a CPE-related topic of your choice, with the goal of contributing new insights to the group. You will engage in self-evaluation processes, opportunities to share feelings and reflections with the group, role-playing, and a variety of group dynamics. Reading CPE-related books and articles will also be encouraged.

Students may progress through up to four CPE levels: IA, IB, IIA, and IIB.  Upon successful completion of a unit and in accordance with ACPE evaluation criteria, the educator awards one CPE credit per unit to the student. Ideally, each level corresponds to one CPE unit, unless the educator determines that the student needs to repeat the same level, in which case credit may not be granted.

Preceptor:The individual who serves in the role of supervising the student’s Spiritual Care practicum, providing guidance and feedback on their performance. For this reason, the Preceptor must be someone with advanced education or significant experience in their field. Their participation is active throughout the entire CPE unit.

The Administrative Representative is a designated individual at the Clinical Practicum Site where the student completes the required 300 hours of supervised clinical practice in spiritual care.  This person has the authority to formally enter into an agreement with Buen Vivir CPE and to approve the Clinical Practicum Site Agreement.  The Administrative Representative’s sole function is to authorize the Place of Practice Agreement. Therefore, they must be someone with appropriate institutional authority—such as a supervisor, manager, director, or other senior official—who can formally approve the student’s practice in spiritual care at the site.

Buen Vivir CPE does not provide or assign clinical placement sites. Students are responsible for securing their own approved spiritual care location where they already have an established connection or authorization to serve (for example, through employment or an existing professional relationship).  Buen Vivir CPE will provide guidance regarding clinical placement agreements and any required documentation.

The CPE unit curriculum is designed to meet ACPE Categories:  • Category A: Spiritual Formation and Integration  • Category B: Self and Other Awareness  • Category C: Relational Dynamics  • Category D: Spiritual Care Interventions  • Category E: Professional Development

All units are led by ACPE Certified Educators.

Generally, the time commitment is approximately 35 hours per week over a 12-week period:  • 7 hours of group sessions: Two days per week from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.  • 25 hours per week of individual spiritual care practice  • 1 hour of individual education/supervision  • Approximately 3 hours to complete assignments

Students must attend virtual meetings using a laptop or desktop computer.  Students must treat participation in virtual meetings as akin to being in a classroom or in an office.   Desktop, laptop, and iPad (tablet style computers) are the only acceptable means to connect to virtual meetings. Phone connectivity to virtual meetings or any session is not accepted.

Our tuition reflects:  • 12-week intensive format  • Evening classes for working professionals  • Flexibility in clinical placement  • High level of individualized support  • Fully online delivery structure

Buen Vivir CPE does not offer financial assistance.  Most students are employed full-time and often receive support from their employers, ministry settings, faith communities, or family members. We encourage applicants to explore these funding options when planning for a CPE unit.

1. Visit the ACPE Student Portal  2. Log in with your enrollment email  3. Click “Print Transcript”  4. Download or print your record

• Canvas – Course management and assignments  • Zoom – Group sessions and supervision  • Teams – Group sessions and supervision