OCHS Chaplaincy

ACPE accredited

The Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) course is organised into four components:

  1. Didactic (theory presentations) Includes readings, lectures, seminars, case studies, videos, and written reflections.
  2. Interpersonal Relations Seminar (IPR sessions) Integrated into group supervision during in-class case study presentations, and Open Discussions where students reflect on their clinical ministry experience.
  3. Clinical ministry (patient visitation) Patient spiritual care assignments, on-call shifts, and work with interdisciplinary health care teams in the student's Placement Site (hospital, hospice, prison, religious community, senior home, etc).
  4. Individual Supervisory sessions with the Certified Educator Allowing students to reflect on their learning experience with their educator.
Rambhoru Brinkman, CPE Certified Educator
Rambhoru Brinkman, CPE Certified Educator

Application process

  1. Read this page thoroughly
  2. Review the sample application form (PDF)
  3. Pay the $50 application fee
  4. We send you the official application form
  5. Submit your completed application
  6. We review your application (typically within 14 days). Shortlisted applicants proceed to interview.
  7. Interview with the Certified Educator
  8. Outcome notified within 7 days of interview

Any questions at any stage, feel free to contact us.

Programme structure

Dates and times

  • 12 October 2026 – 1 March 2027
  • Group Zoom classes (54 hours total): each Monday, 6–9pm Eastern US time (except 28 December)
  • 37 hours asynchronous learning
  • 9 hours individual supervision
  • 300 clinical hours (spiritual care practicum)

Spiritual care practicum hours

The student must complete 300 hours of spiritual care practice

  • Provide direct spiritual care, individually or in groups, (e.g. pastoral visits, in-person prayer, counseling, acting as a chaplain or spiritual care provider) under the supervision of an authorised preceptor.
  • Hours of practice before or after the unit do not count.

Spiritual care practice sites

Practicum hours are to be fulfilled at Spiritual Care Practice Sites. These can be any location that requires spiritual care services and has sufficient space to accommodate 300 hours of practice. e.g. mental health centres, hospices, places of worship, hospitals, corporate offices, foundations, shelters.

Please note, we do not offer connections to Spiritual Practice Sites but will provide guidance on agreements and requested information.

Preceptor

The preceptor supervises the student's spiritual care practices, guides them, and provides feedback on their performance. Therefore, they should have advanced studies or experience in their field. Their participation is active throughout the unit.

Administrative representative

The administrative representative's sole function is to authorise the Place of Practice Agreement, generally a supervisor, manager, or high-ranking official of the institution who can authorise the student's practice at that place.

Fee schedule

Each unit costs $3,500 USD. The application fee and acceptance deposit both count toward Unit 1a. 

Application feeNon-refundable; paid with application
$50
Acceptance depositNon-refundable; secures place on offer
$300
Tuition balanceDue on commencement
$3,150
Unit 1a fee$3,500

Units 1b, 2a, and 2b are billed separately at $3,500 each prior to commencement. No further deposits required, the acceptance deposit secures the full four-unit place.

Full programme (4 units)$14,000
Full fee terms and refund policy →

Programme Timeline

Four CPE units across two years. Each unit is 400 hours structured as 300 hours practical and 100 hours study (comprising 54 hours group Zoom classes, 37 hours asynchronous learning, 9 hours individual supervision)

  1. Unit 1a · Now enrolling

    October 2026 – February 2027

    Application deadline TBD.

  2. Unit 1b

    Spring 2027

    Continues directly from Unit 1a; same structure.

  3. Unit 2a

    Fall 2027

    Continues directly from Unit 1b.

  4. Unit 2b

    Spring 2028

    Continues directly from Unit 2a.