Clinical Pastoral Education for Better Care

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is interfaith professional education for ministry. It is highly experiential and relationally based.

Students come to CPE from a variety of religious and professional backgrounds to learn spiritual care skills for serving others. CPE utilizes a process model of education where direct ministry encounters aid students in developing awareness of themselves and the needs of those to whom they provide care. Programs are offered in small groups (typically three to six people) within a supervised setting that has been accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education.

If you would like to learn more about how to become a chaplain, visit ACPE's FAQ page.

CPE Program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is a leading academic medical center located in Chicago, Illinois, with a 900-bed tertiary care medical and Level 1 trauma center.

Serving a diverse patient population within a lively urban setting offers students a dynamic, challenging and formational learning environment. Northwestern Memorial Hospital attracts patients from throughout the region and around the world due to its leading-edge treatments, breakthrough research and commitment to excellence. 

Fostering a collaborative relationship between students and staff, the Spiritual Care Department aligns its values, professional practice and pedagogical approach with the mission of Northwestern Medicine.

View the Northwestern Medicine Spiritual Care Department’s mission, vision and attributes.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital Program Offerings 

You should generally expect to complete 100 learning hours and 300 clinical hours on-site at the downtown campus for internship time requirements.

Learning hours occur:

• During the 40-hour weeklong orientation at the beginning of the unit
• On Mondays with the peer group
• During biweekly individual consultations with the educator

Clinical hours occur in approximately 25 shifts that are usually 12 hours each. This includes day shifts and overnight shifts. We will discuss those clinical shifts with applicants who are invited to interview.

CPE Program at Central DuPage Hospital

Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital is a 400-bed acute care facility in Winfield, Illinois, that has been providing the DuPage County community with quality health care for more than 50 years. Central DuPage Hospital is a Level II Trauma Center with one of the most robust surgical programs in Illinois, and a regional destination for oncology, neurology, pediatric, orthopaedic, behavioral health and cardiovascular care. At Central DuPage Hospital, CPE students will encounter a wide range of clinical experiences from which to learn, grow and serve.

Students doing their CPE at Central DuPage Hospital may choose from these additional clinical placement sites:

• West suburbs of Chicago
• Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva
• Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb
• South suburbs of Chicago
• Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital in Palos Heights

Central DuPage Hospital Program Offerings

ACPE requires at least 400 hours of clinical practice time, including structured group/individual education and supervised clinical practice.

Students in the Extended Units can anticipate about 14 hours of patient-focused clinical practice time each week. You will get these hours through a combination of daytime, overnight and on-call coverage. The structured group meetings will be held one day per week. The time and day of meetings will depend on the groups’ unique needs.

To apply to our extended or intensive internship programs, complete the ACPE application and email it to clinicalpastoral.education@nm.org. Please note your preferred learning site on the application.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital Mailing Address:
Spiritual Care and Education
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
211 East Ontario Street, Suite 1450
Chicago, Illinois 60611

Central DuPage Hospital Mailing Address:
Gary Wilson, Spiritual Care and Education
Central DuPage Hospital
25 North Winfield Road
Winfield, Illinois 60189

If you are applying from outside the U.S., you can learn more about the International Student Visitor Program through the ACPE website.