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Clinical Pastoral Education

Currently accepting applications for all programs.

Tuition is free for all students who complete their clinical hours at Ochsner locations.

Please send applications to the CPE department at spiritualeducation@ochsner.org.

Applications and Forms
CPE application
CPE Annual Notice
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Program Highlights

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is an action/reflection based professional education for ministry. It brings ministers of all faiths (pastors, priests, rabbis, imams and others), theological students, allied health professionals and qualified lay persons into supervised encounter with persons in crisis.

Out of an intense involvement with persons in need, and the feedback from peers, ACPE certified educator(s), mentors, CPE trainees develop new awareness of themselves as persons and of the needs of those to whom they minister. From theological reflection on specific human situations, they gain a new understanding of ministry. Within the interdisciplinary team process of helping persons, they develop skills in interpersonal and interprofessional relationships.

CPE at Ochsner Medical Center

CPE curriculum at Ochsner Medical Center emphasizes pastoral relationships and integration of head and heart. CPE curriculum integrates personal history, behavioral sciences, theology, spiritual direction and professional development. Spiritual care staff, clinical specialists, professional advisory group and community members lend their experience in their areas of specialty and interest.

  • Ochsner Medical Center, a 767-bed general medical surgical hospital, is the flagship facility for Ochsner Health.
  • Ochsner Medical Center has been consistently rated one of the nation's best hospitals by US News.
  • Ochsner Medical Center is located near Uptown New Orleans and includes acute and sub-acute facilities and centers of excellence: Ochsner Cancer Institute, Ochsner Transplant Center and Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute.
  • New Orleans is well known for its distinct French and Spanish Creole architecture, as well as its cross-cultural and multilingual heritage. New Orleans is also famous for its cuisine, music and its annual celebrations and festivals.
  • Ochsner Medical Center is accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE). ACPE accredited programs are recognized by the United States Department of Education as providing professional formation for ministry.

Acknowledgements

We would like to offer special thanks to our generous donors who have supported this program.

• Ann Koerner and Family
• Erik F. Johnsen and Family
• Dolly Ann Johnsen Chaplaincy Fund
• Frank B. Stewart, Jr. Foundation Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation
• Ochsner Pastoral Care Endowment
• Ochsner Clinic Foundation
• Baptist Community Ministries