All students in the M. Div. program must complete 3 credit hours of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at a site approved by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Educators (ACPE) or complete the CPE Equivalency program. These experiences utilize a concentrated experiential method of theological reflection which examines pastoral care practice in acute ministerial contexts. Students may sign up for CPE after completing SM 301 Formation for Christian Ministry, PC 301 Introduction to Pastoral Care or PC 302 Introduction to Pastoral Counseling, 30 hours of seminary course work and the online CPE Information Session.
Each Fall quarter, an online CPE Information Session will be offered to assist students through the CPE and CPE Equivalency process. This information session is a pre-requisite for CPE. Students may register for this information session via the student portal.
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is a clinical chaplaincy and small group experience completed under the direction of a trained ACPE supervisor. It may be completed full-time in the summer, part-time during one quarter, or in an extended period of time such as one to two days a week over a period of seven to nine months. In order to enroll in CPE at an accredited site, students must complete an application and interview with the hospital’s CPE supervisor approximately six months in advance of the quarter they intend to complete CPE. For more information visit the ACPE website at www.acpe.edu.
Helpful hints for CPE interviews
Suggested Questions for CPE Interviews
IMPORTANT NOTE: You must register for CPE at Northern the same quarter you are going to begin CPE at the hospital! Contact the Supervised Ministry office if you have any questions at supervisedministry@seminary.edu
Some CPE Programs Near Northern
(Many other accredited sites are listed on the ACPE website.)
Good Samaritan Hospital, Downers Grove IL
Adventist Midwest Health, LaGrange/Hinsdale/Boilingbrook/Glendale Heights, IL
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL
Alexian Brothers Medical Center, Elk Grove Village, IL (extended units only)
Internship III (SM 514)
This course will provide a clinical experience which may be completed in the place of, or in addition to, an accredited Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program. This experience is available in the Spring Quarter. The CPE Equivalency option enables students who work full-time in a secular field to complete a professionally supervised ministry experience.
An application form must be submitted for approval by the Director of Supervised Ministry. Please note that all applications must be turned in to the Supervised Ministry office by December 1st each year.
Students interested in professional chaplaincy or who need CPE credit for ordination are not permitted to complete the CPE Equivalency. Students are responsible for knowing the denominational ordination and/or chaplaincy certification requirements before taking CPE Equivalency.
Internship III offered at Northern Seminary is NOT official CPE. Students successfully completing the Supervised Internship III will earn 3 hours of credit.
The number of students enrolled in the course may be limited to 7 students each quarter, per section offered. Students enrolled in the program receive individual supervision from the course instructor and are required to participate in a weekly peer reflection group which meets on campus.
If a student would like to complete Internship III hours at another site than those listed below, he/she must speak to the Supervised Ministry office and have the site approved before making any arrangements. This conversation must occur prior to the due date for Internship III applications.
Students applying must be able to complete 160 hours of ministry at an approved Internship III site and have a supervisor willing to meet weekly with the student for mentoring/debriefing. This translates into approximately 16 hours per week commitment for ten weeks unless a student negotiates an alternative schedule with the site supervisor.
Students who begin their hours before the class starts must complete at least 80 hours during the Spring quarter. For more information on Internship III, please contact the Director of Supervised Ministry.
CPE Equivalency Site Options
DuPage Care Center
Contact: Chaplain Andrew Hougan
Work: (630) 784-4262
Email: andrew.hougan@dupageco.org
Applications for DPCC are due by mid January each year.
Edwards Elmhurst Hospital/Linden Oaks
Contact: Rev. Karen L. Swiderski, Manager Spiritual Care Services
Work: (630) 527-5256
Email: Kswiderski@edward.org
Lawndale Christian Health Center
Contact: Rev. James Brooks
Email: JamesBrooks@lawndale.org
Swedish American Hospital
Contact: Norm Shirk
Apply online and mention in application that you are a Northern Seminary student.
CPE Equivalency/Internship III Sites in addition to
the Clinical Equivalency Sites listed above
Note: All of these sites may serve as Internship I and II sites as well. Internship I and II site supervisors require the training once every three years through Northern Seminary
Cross-Cultural Option Sites
Christ Community Church, Wheaton
ESL Ministry for International Population
Pastor Frank Walton – Interim Pastor
pastorfrank@christcomyounity.com
The Salvation Army, Oakbrook Terrace Corps
Lisa E. Jordan – Youth Development Director
(630) 629-4948
The Welcome Net
Ministry to immigrants and refugees
Tony Burrell
tony@thewelcomenet.org
Crisis Option Sites
JUST of DuPage, DuPage County Jail, Wheaton, IL
Prison Chaplaincy Ministry
Rev. Mary Ann D’Onofrio
(630) 407-2201
New Name
Human Trafficking Ministry
Anne Polenchek
(630) 254-8756
Pacific Garden Mission, Chicago
Homeless Shelter
Samson Green
(312) 492-9410