The commitment to pastoral care at UAB Hospital is epitomized by the CPE program. Accredited for Level 1 and Level 2 Clinical Pastoral Education, these programs are offered:
Summer Unit:During the summer, a full time unit of CPE is offered. The unit consists of 400 hours of supervised ministry and lasts for 10 weeks, from June through August. Students work as chaplains five days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and are on-call for emergencies on a rotating basis. The goal is to develop students' pastoral care abilities through a "hands-on" program that teaches how to apply one's personal identity and pastoral theory to ministry relationships.
Extended Unit:This part-time unit is for seminarians, local clergy, or religious educators who cannot commit themselves to the full-time schedule of the summer unit. The extended program meets two days per week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., plus emergency on-call coverage two week nights per month. One unit consists of 400 hours of supervised ministry.
Twelve-Month Residency:This program, which consists of four units of basic and/or advanced CPE, begins in September and extends through August of the following year. The participants are full-time chaplains for the entire year and participate in the emergency on-call rotations. The program builds on the basic unit through intensive involvement as a member of the Pastoral Care team. An advanced second-year residency is also available.
Admissions Information:
All applicants should submit the standard ACPE application form (see our CPE application page), along with a non-refundable fee, made payable to "UAB Hospital." Please call, write, or email for current application and per CPE unit fees. An admission interview is also required.
Benefits:
Stipends are provided for all residency positions. Other benefits for residents include group term life insurance and major medical insurance coverage at group rate.