Sutter Medical Center Clinical Pastoral Education FAQ
Sutter Medical Center does not offer a CPE distance learning program.
No, ACPE credit is not granted for previous work experience. However, your previous work/ministry experience will be considered during your application process.
Many theological schools and seminaries grant academic credit for CPE. Contact them directly for this information.
No. Sutter Medical Center chaplains are Board Certified professional chaplains or CPE students training as professional chaplains.
No.
Complete our online application. Your application will be forwarded directly to our CPE center. If you need support, please email our CPE Educator, Kate Kennedy at Kathryn.Kennedy@sutterhealth.org. If you wish to mail your application to us, use the following address:
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
Spiritual Care Services
2825 Capital Ave
Sacramento, CA 95816Once we have received your completed information, we will contact you. We may or may not proceed with an interview depending upon your qualifications as a potential student.
International students should send their completed application to us. Once accepted, the student should contact the ACPE national office to apply for a visa. The visa process can take from six to nine months to complete. The visa must be obtained before you can begin CPE.
The Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) and the Neshama Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC) and other organizations certify chaplains. These organizations typically require four units of ACPE certified CPE™. The American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) is now a member of the ACPE and trains and certifies pastoral counselors. Some CPE is required as a prerequisite. Contact these organizations directly about their requirements.
ACPE applications are received on a continuous basis. Interviews typically begin in March.
The residency year begins in mid to late August and consists of 4 consecutive units (fall, winter, spring, summer). The dates of the units are
2023 – 2024 Residency
Fall: August 21, 2023 – November 25, 2023 (14 weeks)
Winter: November 26, 2023 – February 24, 2024 (13 weeks)
Spring: February 25, 2024 – May 18, 2024 (12 weeks)
Summer: May 19, 2024 – August 18, 2024 (13 weeks)2024 - 2025 Residency
Fall: August 19, 2024 – November 23, 2024 (14 weeks)
Winter: November 24, 2024 – February 22, 2025 (13 weeks)
Spring: Feb 23, 2025 – May 24, 2025 (13 weeks)
Summer: May 25, 2025 – August 17, 2025 (13 weeks)2025 - 2026 Residency
Fall: August 18, 2025 – November 15, 2025 (13 weeks)
Winter: November 16, 2025 – February 21, 2026 (14 weeks)
Spring: Feb 22, 2026 – May 18, 2026 (12 weeks)
Summer: May 19, 2026 – August 16, 2026 (13 weeks)2026 - 2027 Residency
Fall: August 17, 2026 – November 21, 2026 (14 weeks)
Winter: November 22, 2026 – February 20, 2027 (13 weeks)
Spring: Feb 21, 2027 – May 15, 2027 (12 weeks)
Summer: May 16, 2027 – August 15, 2027 (13 weeks)ACPE CPE offers Level 1A, Level 1B, Level 2A, and Level 2B CPE, as well as Certified Educator CPE, in sequence. The outcomes for each level must be completed before moving to the next level. CPE at SMCS is offered in single units (11-14 weeks), in a year-long program (4 consecutive units).
In addition to completing the ACPE application, interested students are encouraged to have the following basic prerequisites:
One Unit Interns (Sutter Roseville only)
- Graduation from a CHEA accredited college or university
- Theological study
- Authorization to function in chaplaincy by a religious authority
- Ministry or spiritual care experience
- Other educational experience
Additional Criteria for Year Long Residents (SMCS)
- Graduate level education from a CHEA accredited school, preferably theological, or capacity to function at this level
Additional Criteria for Certified Educator CPE
- Successful meeting of ACPE level II Outcomes
- Previous experience, which includes having functioned in a pastoral or spiritual care role for at least three years
- Membership in the ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care & Education™
All CPE Applicants Must Demonstrate
- Ability to function within a chaplain role
- Motivation for challenge and personal growth
- Willingness to be a contributing member of a small peer group
- Ability to support persons of diverse religious traditions
- Capacity to be a team member and to communicate professionally
There is no fee to take CPE at Sutter.
The Extended CPE program is designed to offer CPE training to those who choose to receive clinical training on a part-time basis. Because groups meet only once a week, along with flexible clinical hours, many students continue their present employment while participating in the program. Extended CPE students can participate in either the 24 or 12 hour a week program.
For detailed information about the Extended CPE program, email Chaplain Gerald Jones at JonesG@sutterhealth.org.
Sutter Medical Center Sacramento is a multi-facility medical center campus located in downtown Sacramento, and students provide patient care on all clinical areas. Ose Adams Medical Pavilion is a 281-bed specialty medical center that comprises general acute medical/surgical units and two emergency services departments (adults and pediatrics). Ose Adams also has units that provide advanced services for cancer, orthopedics, spine, neurology and neurosurgery. Anderson Lucchetti Women's and Children' Center is a 242-bed specialty medical facility which includes intensive care units for medical, cardiac, and neurological patients. Anderson Lucchetti also provides women's and children's specialty services. These services include labor and delivery, high risk maternity, neonatal intensive care, pediatric, and pediatric intensive care units.
Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.
Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.
For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.
After-hours, weekend and holiday services.
Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.