Clinical Pastoral Education
Clinical pastoral education (CPE) is a combination of professional education and hands-on experience, providing spiritual care to patients, families and staff members in multi-faith clinical setting. Those training as professional chaplains—as well as for visiting clergy, religious leaders, seminary students and pastoral counselors—serve as students in a variety of settings within UNC Hospitals. We offer a unique opportunity for persons interested in ministry to learn the art and science of spiritual care with suffering persons in several supportive environments.
The CPE Program is well integrated into the life and mission of UNC Hospitals. CPE students are valued members of the health care team, and participate in patient care, family meetings and ethics consults. CPE students work alongside staff chaplains, with opportunities for multidisciplinary learning throughout our hospitals. CPE provides students with the opportunity to integrate their personal history and their spiritual/theological heritage into an authentic pastoral identity, and work with their educator to craft individual learning goals.
Each unit of CPE consists of at least 400 hours of training, 100 of which are spent in group and individual education sessions. The curriculum is based on the clinical method of learning, utilizing information from the actual practice of ministry as the content for reflection.
Our Distinctives
UNC is a unique and challenging place to complete CPE, with many opportunities for learning.
UNC Hospitals and the CPE Program value diversity in all its forms. Our students, staff, and patients come from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds, religious traditions, abilities, and sexual orientations.
We practice and teach trauma informed care and education, with particular attention to both primary and secondary trauma.
Among our three unique program locations and formats you can find an option that works for you.
CPE students are mentored in a variety of ways, including through their educator, site placement mentor, and/or through an individualized mentor relationship with an experienced professional chaplain.
CPE Internship Programs
UNC Hospitals offers several internship programs to suit student needs. Intern units are designed to introduce students to the basics of pastoral care in several diverse settings. Academic credit for internships is available for transfer into graduate-level theological institutions.
- Tuition: $450
- Admissions for internship units is rolling. Students may apply at any time, and we will continue to accept qualified students until a unit is full.
- Students may submit one application for multiple internship programs, or request to be considered for multiple sites. You are welcome to speak with our admissions coordinator to discuss which setting is right for you.
UNC Hospitals Internships
CPE Internships
UNC offers extended internships, spring semester units, and summer intensive units. Our extended unit begins in August and ends in April. This program offers students the opportunity to participate in a part-time unit following the semester calendar. The extended unit also has a partnership with the UNC School of Social Work, and students enrolled at UNC can receive practicum credit for a unit of CPE. Students meet for one day of weekly educational seminars, provide two days of clinical coverage, and participate in the on-call rotation.
- 2025 Fall Program: August 2025 – April 2026. Receiving applications now.
- 2026 Spring Program: January 2026 - May 2026 (17 Weeks).. Receiving applications now.
Summer Internship
This 11-week full-time internship begins after Memorial Day and ends in early August. In addition to educational and clinical work each week, students participate in the overnight on-call rotation.
- 2025 Summer Program: May 30, 2023 – August 11, 2023 (11 Weeks) Program is full.
- 2026 Summer Program: May 26th, 2024-August 7th, 2026 (11 Weeks)
Apply
CPE Residency Programs
At UNC Hospitals, our CPE residency programs are each one year long, lasting from July to June. As a UNC Hospitals Chaplain Resident you will provide spiritual care to patients, families and staff. You will also participate in a year of Clinical Pastoral Education (three units) to enhance the professional development of your spiritual leadership and pastoral/spiritual care skills.
CPE Residency
This residency program is offered for persons interested in pastoral care or chaplaincy specialization. Board-certified staff chaplains mentor residents. Students provide patient care in a specialized area and participate in the on-call rotation. Prerequisites include a college degree, theological education, and completion of at least one unit of CPE.
- 2025-2026 Residency Year: Program is full.
- Applications for 2026-2027. While our usual deadline is December 31st, we will continue to receive applications until all positions are filled.
Apply
Second-Year CPE Residency
This residency program is offered for persons interested in specialization in palliative care chaplaincy, trauma, or another area. Check with us to learn what is offered this year. Students provide patient care and participate in the on-call rotation, focusing on a specific clinical area. Prerequisites include the above and completing an ACPE-accredited first-year CPE Residency program.
- 2025-2026 Second Year Residency: Program is full.
- Applications for 2026-2027 Due December 31st, 2025. We will continue to accept applications until the program is full.
Apply
Certified Educator CPE
For persons interesting in becoming ACPE Certified Educators, UNC Hospitals is accredited to offer Certified Educator Clinical Pastoral Education. Applicants must have completed four units of CPE and be admitted into the ACPE Certified Educator Program. Contact us to inquire about program availability, stipend, and benefits.
- UNC Hospitals is not currently accepting applications for this program at this time.
