Clinical Pastoral Education

CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRY

This track prepares students for service in a congregation, according to one of the following patterns: ● Summer Intensive (ten weeks, full-time, ordinarily June-August following the middler year), 12 credits; ● Concurrent Placement (two consecutive semesters, part-time, twelve to fifteen hours per week), taken while enrolled in regular on-campus course work, 6 credits per term; or, ● Year-long Internship (nine to fifteen months, full-time), ordinarily between one's middler and senior year, 12 credits.

NON-CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRY

This track prepares students for chaplaincy in a variety of settings or ministry other than congregational ministry, according to one of the following patterns: ● Clinical Pastoral Education, 12 credits; ● Institutional Setting (hospice, nursing home, educational institution, or non-profit agency); or, ● Military Chaplaincy (participation in an approved training program).

NON-ORDINATION TRACK

This track is designed to provide vocational experience for students who are not seeking ordination. The field requirement can be fulfilled by any of the above options.

DUAL-DEGREE TRACK

The field requirement is met through a placement coordinated by the

MSSW program at The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of

Social Work.

CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION Austin Seminary, through various clinical settings, offers Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) as a part of its program of study. In this specialized program, students clarify and increase their understanding of the resources, methods, and meaning of the Christian faith as expressed in pastoral care and develop skills critical for the practice of ministry. This educational experience is clinical in setting and interdisciplinary in character and is conducted under the supervision of a certified CPE supervisor. CPE ordinarily is taken during the middler or senior year (middler standing is prerequisite) for a period of at least ten weeks in the summer, but also may be taken concurrently with other course work. Twelve credits are awarded for a basic unit of clinical pastoral education. A student engaged in a year-long CPE residency also earns twelve credits. A student cannot earn more than twelve credits in a particular CPE setting.

Opportunities for CPE are available in centers accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, including a variety of training centers in the Southwest, in general and specialty hospitals and mental health institutions. Information is available through the Office of Ministerial Formation and Advanced Studies. Arrangements for CPE are initiated through this office in conversation with the Director.

In order to earn academic credit for CPE, in addition to documentation required by the Office of Ministerial Formation and Advanced Studies,