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Courses, Schedule & Tuition

Students in the multi-faith clinical pastoral education (CPE) program at Cedars-Sinai work directly with patients in a hospital setting. You'll learn how to listen to—and provide spiritual support to—patients and their families, as well as staff members, in their time of need. Our interdisciplinary approach combines observation, hands-on experience, mentoring and academic instruction.


Courses

We offer three levels of CPE training:

  • Level I CPE
    This level is for all people who are taking their first unit of CPE. Interns have the opportunity to learn about CPE, make self-discoveries, take risks in initiating relationships and giving critique, and identify personal strengths and weaknesses inherent in pastoral/spiritual care functioning. Level I CPE units are offered in the fall, winter, spring and summer.
  • Level II CPE
    Level II CPE includes developing pastoral reflection, pastoral formation, pastoral competence and, for some people, pastoral specialization. Level I CPE must be completed before beginning Level II CPE.
  • Certified Educator CPE
    Certified Educator CPE is available for people who have successfully completed a minimum of four units of CPE, including the outcomes of Level II CPE, and are interested in ACPE certification. Certified Educator CPE training is available to qualified applicants as openings occur. Click here for admission requirements to Certified Educator CPE.

CPE units are offered on a full-time and part-time (extended) basis. Students may complete units consecutively.

CPE Units

CPE Internships (Single units, 400 hours each)

  • Five-Month Extended Programs: Approximately 16 clinical and 8 group supervision hours per week, plus approximately two 4-hour evening on-call shifts per month for 18-19 weeks
    • Fall-Winter (usually end of August through early January)
    • Winter-Spring, five-months (usually mid-January through mid-May)
  • Nine-Month Extended Program: Approximately 8 clinical hours per week and 12 group education hours per month
    • Fall-Spring (usually end of August through mid-May)
  • Summer Full-Time Program: Approximately 40 hours per week, plus approximately one 4-hour evening on-call shift, every other week for 11 weeks
    • June through mid-August

CPE Residency at California Rehabilitation Institute (Three CPE units, full-time, yearlong)

The yearlong Residency Program begins around the end of August and concludes at the end of August of the next year. The CPE resident is based at Cal Rehab for all clinical hours. Group and individual education are based at Cedars-Sinai. This is a full-time program, 40 hours per week. A stipend is available for CPE residents. Please contact our office for specific details. In addition to the stipend, the resident is provided with basic medical, dental and vision insurance, paid vacation and holidays, and a full-tuition scholarship for three units of CPE. Those accepted into the Residency Program are required to live within daily driving distance of Cedars-Sinai, taking Los Angeles-area traffic into consideration. Graduates of the Residency Program receive three units of Level I and/or Level II CPE credit.

Click here for admission requirements to CPE Residency Programs.

2023-2024 CPE Residency is now closed.
ACPE Certified CPE™ Unit
Dates
Availability

2023 Fall-Winter (5-month Extended)

August 27, 2023 – January 12, 2024

Closed

2023 Fall-2024 Spring (9-month Extended)

August 27, 2023 – May 24, 2024

Closed

2024 Winter-Spring (5-month Extended)

January 21, 2024 – May 24, 2024

Closed

2024 Summer (Full-Time)

June 3, 2024 - August 16, 2024

Closed

2024 Fall-Winter (5-month Extended)

August 25, 2024 – January 10, 2025

Open

2024 Fall-2025 Spring (9-month Extended)

August 25, 2024 – May 23, 2025

Open

2025 Winter-Spring (5-month Extended)

January 21, 2025 – May 23, 2025

Open

  • Rolling Admissions: Applications are considered in the order they are received.
  • All units, especially Summer units, fill quickly. Please apply 6 months to 1 year in advance of the unit start date.

Note: Cedars-Sinai observes New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. No classes or training are held on these holidays.

Application Information

On average, just 4–7 students are accepted to participate in each CPE cohort. Applications are processed in the order they are received, and all units—especially in the summer—fill quickly. We strongly recommend applying 6 months to 1 year in advance of your desired start date.

Tuition

To apply in the CPE program, review the tuition and payment information:

  • If you are accepted to the program, a nonrefundable deposit of $150 is required to reserve your space. The deposit will be applied to your cost of tuition (make check payable to "Cedars-Sinai" with "CPE Program" written on the memo line).
  • Tuition is $550 per unit of CPE.
  • Cedars-Sinai doesn't provide stipends.
  • Financial assistance may be available for students who have been accepted into the program and who can demonstrate financial need.

Cedars-Sinai ACPE Certified CPE™ Center is accredited to offer Level I, Level II and Certified Educator CPE™ by the ACPE: 404-320-1472acpe.edu.

Off-Site Clinical Settings

Have Questions or Need Help?

Call the Spiritual Care team Monday through Friday, 8 am - 5 pm PT, or send a message. You can also visit our offices, which are on the Plaza Level, between the North and South towers, next to the chapel.