Pastoral Education

Children's Hospital Los Angeles is accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education to offer Level I, Level II and Supervisory Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).  

As a pediatric leader, the hospital offers CPE interns the opportunity to work with a varied population of children, adolescents and their families. Chaplain interns benefit from the learning atmosphere of a teaching institution with training programs for physicians, nurses and other professionals.  Students develop both professional pastoral identity and pastoral expertise.

About the Program

The program provides students with an opportunity to learn through a balance of:

  • providing spiritual care to persons in crisis 
  • reflection in didactic workshops
  • case reports
  • case conferences

Individual and group supervision integrates theory, practice and personal history of participants.  Students learn as members of a peer group, which aims for diversity in gender, race, culture and religious tradition.  Each intern is assigned to one or two inpatient units and/or outpatient clinics, participates in on-call rotations 24 hours, 7 days a week and serves as an integral member of the interdisciplinary health care team. 

Courses Offered

One CPE course consists of at least 400 hours of supervised clinical practice.
Throughout the year, the following CPE coursework is offered:

  • Level I and Level II CPE
  • Full-time Summer CPE (40 hours per week/ 11 weeks)
  • Extended CPE (22 hours per week/ 19 weeks) during Fall/Winter and/or Winter/Spring

Number of Students Accepted per CPE Course

4-6 per course
18 students total per year

Tuition

$550 (per course)
If accepted, a non- refundable deposit of $150 is required to reserve space.
Your deposit will be applied to the cost of tuition.
The hospital does not provide training stipends.

Admissions Criteria 

CPE Program Schedule  /  CPE Application
Two years of graduate theological education, pastoral experience and involvement that demonstrates a clear interest in personal and professional growth and spiritual care and ministry.  Laypersons may have equivalent qualifications.
Completed ACPE application form, including
- required essay and
- $30 application fee (payable to Children's Hospital Los Angeles/Spiritual Care Services)
In addition, an admissions interview will be required, preferably on-site

Contact

Rev. Dagmar Grefe, PhD, Certified ACPE Supervisor
Email or Call (323) 361-2482

Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Spiritual Care Services
4650 Sunset Boulevard, MS# 80
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Fax: (323) 361-2448