Students

Frequently Asked Questions

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A.What is Supervised Pastoral Education? (SPE)

SPE is education in which a student develops the arts and skills of pastoral work together with a small group of colleagues while being guided by a qualified supervisor. This education may be conducted in a health or correctional institution, parish, pastoral counselling centre or other setting where the student's ministry may be closely supervised. SPE is normally in an inter-disciplinary context where the insights of other professions promote creative dialogue and where co-operation is encouraged with other workers and agencies serving the community.

B. What are the essentials of a SPE Program?

1. Pastoral ministry with others who may or may not be in a crisis situation. The frequency and intensity of visits depends on factors unique to each situation.
2. Reflective consideration of pastoral encounters facilitated by reports (written or taped), role playing, seminars, and discussion with peers and a supervisor. This reflective process considers the dynamics of the one being ministered to as well as the one ministering from theological, psychological, and sociological perspectives.
3. A group process in which SPE students and their supervisor share and learn together.
4. Individual supervision for each student with their supervisor.
5. An opportunity to acquire relevant theoretical information through an educational process including directed reading. Clinical seminars are integrated with the education.

C. For what specialized ministry does Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) prepare one?

CPE enhances one's education for a pastoral ministry in places such as the parish, health institution or correctional setting.

D. For what specialized ministry does Pastoral Counselling Education (PCE) prepare one?

PCE prepares one for a counselling ministry in places such as a pastoral counselling centre or a multi-staff parish setting.

E. How does PCE differ from CPE in the organization of the program?

1. CPE is a fully integrated practical and theoretical experience conducted in Units, each totalling a minimum of 400 hours. There are a variety of structures for CPE Units, but, again, each Unit totals a minimum of 400 hours.
2. PCE may be taken in two different ways:
   1. Unit stream -- usually occurs over a more extended period of time than a CPE unit (often a year) with theory, practice, individual and group supervision carried out in a variety of ways.
   2. Course stream -- requires two graduate courses, one from the human development area and the other from the counselling theory area together with counselling and supervision hours.

While the structure of programs may vary slightly, CAPPE/ACPEP accreditation of the centre ensures that the basic elements are in each program.

F. Is this education appropriate only for those in ordained or officially mandated ministry?

No. Many volunteer and lay ministers participate in SPE to enrich their skills in their volunteer ministry.

G. What are the entrance requirements for SPE?

1. An interview with a CAPPE/ACPEP supervisor in which readiness for education is indicated. Graduation from a college or equivalent education is recommended.
2. It is not necessary that college and/or seminary educational requirements be complete for education to begin, however, educational requirements as noted below must be completed to be eligible for certification. If a student is seeking equivalencies, the student communicates with the Theological Education Committee of the Education Standards Commission.
   1. Specialist: an undergraduate degree from a recognized college or university and a qualifying degree in theology or in a related clinical field and a minimum of two (2) Advanced Units.
   2. Supervisor: an undergraduate degree from a recognized college or university and a Master of Divinity or equivalent plus a minimum of two (2) Advnaced Units, two (2) Provisional Teaching Units and one (1) Associate Teaching Unit.

H. Can I get academic credit for SPE?

Yes. Most theological schools in Canada give academic credit for SPE.

I. How do you find out where programs are offered?

Contact the CAPPE/ACPEP national office for a Directory of Supervised Pastoral Education Centres. This information is also available on the CAPPE/ACPEP Website at WWW.cappe.org

J. How does one decide where to take a program?

Consult with staff and students in your theological college and/or a CAPPE/ACPEP supervisor. Your area of interest may lead you to be educated in a general or psychiatric hospital, a corrections or parish setting or a pastoral counselling centre.