Internships and fellowships | veterans affairs

CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is an interfaith professional education for ministry. It brings theological students, seasoned chaplains, and interfaith clergy

into supervised encounters with persons seeking spiritual care. CPE serves as a part of preparation for parish ministry, chaplaincy, lay ministry, teaching and counseling. A student’s

learning contract may be focused toward integration of theological, psychological and pastoral insights into pastoral functioning for parish work. The contract also may be designed with a

career goal of chaplaincy or pastoral counseling. CPE develops the capacity for the pastoral/spiritual care of individuals, families and systems. Out of an intense involvement with persons

in need and the feedback from peers, staff chaplain mentors and ACPE Certified Educators, students develop a new awareness of themselves as persons and of the needs for whom they minister.

From theological reflection on specific human situations, students gain a new understanding of ministry. Within the interdisciplinary team process of helping persons, students develop skills

in interpersonal and inter-professional relationships.  CPE is designed for people at various stages of life, for example, clergy seeking to develop their skills as pastoral caregivers,

military chaplains seeking specialized training in the hospital setting, and seminarians or lay people preparing for ordained ministry. Learn more about Clinical Pastoral Education and

commonly asked  questions. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION We have six residency positions at the VA, two of which are second year specializations. The VA students may be civilians or Veterans.  In

addition, we accept up to six Extended Unit Interns, once per year, depending on interest. The CPE residents and interns rotate to different clinics and services within the St. Cloud VAHCS

throughout the year.  The Chaplain Residents and Interns rotate to various services and clinics throughout the health care system, where clinical opportunities and on-site supervision are

available to enhance the learning experience. Students in the program are considered part of the team and attend interdisciplinary team meetings on the unit where they are assigned. They

work with staff chaplains who cosign their notes and offer clinical guidance and consultation. Services that the CPE students typically serve include:   Community Living Center (CLC),

Outpatient Mental Health, Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP), Acute Psychiatric Unit, Primary Care (Patient Aligned Care Team) & Urgent Care, Home Based Primary Care

(HBPC), Home Based Memory Care (HBMC), Hospice & Palliative Care, Adult Day Health Care (ADHC), and Infusion clinic. Chaplain students also provide spirituality groups for Veterans

addressing Grief & Loss, and Self-Forgiveness, along with individual counseling for veterans seeking mental health services. CPE PROGRAM - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS For more information

about CPE program, please refer to VA St. Cloud's CPE Program-Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)  THE ST. CLOUD VAHCS IS ACCREDITED BY ACPE: THE STANDARD FOR SPIRITUAL CARE &

EDUCATION TO PROVIDE LEVEL I/II, AND CERTIFIED EDUCATOR CPE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT ACPE;  55 IVAN ALLEN JR. BOULEVARD, SUITE 835, ATLANTA, GA 30308.  404-320-1472. ACPE: THE STANDARD

FOR SPIRITUAL CARE & EDUCATION ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care & Education ACPE Application Last updated: February 14, 2024