Clinical Pastoral Education
The Pastoral Care Department staff at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital offers Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and other programs focusing on pastoral skills, theological reflection, bio-ethics, and issues of communication and relational competence in clinical practice. Read more about Pastoral Care or Chaplaincy at SSM Health.
The CPE program at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital is accredited for Levels: IA, IB, IIA, IIB and Certified Education program by the ACPE: the Standard for Spiritual Care and Education.
ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care and Education
1 Concourse Parkway
Suite 800
Atlanta, GA 30328
404-320-1472
acpe@acpe.edu
Download an Application for Clinical Pastoral Education (can be submitted via email). The cost for a CPE unit is $650 (tuition) and, in most cases, a $50 application fee is required. Tuition is waved for residents. View information about currently offered CPE units.
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Units
A "unit" of CPE consists of a total of 400 hours, including no less than of 250 hours of supervised practice of ministry and no less than 100 hours of structured group and individual education. Each unit shall include supervised clinical practice in ministry.
Spring Extended 2026
- Spring 2026 extended unit: canceled
Summer Intensive 2026
May 26 to August 12, 2026
- 30+ patient care hours per week plus on call shifts
- 10 hours per week in group and individual supervision
Fall Extended 2026
September 8 to December 16, 2026
- 20+ patient care hours per week plus on call shifts
- 8 hours per week in group and individual supervision
CPE Residency: 3 Units
- Full-time 2026-2027 Residency: August 23, 2026 through August 20, 2027
- In-house on-call shifts are required
- At least one CPE unit is a prerequisite for applying
- Salary and employee benefits are provided
For more information on our Clinical Pastoral Education program, contact us at 314-257-8700.
Additional educational opportunities:
In addition to CPE we offer other educational opportunities.
Staff Education
The Pastoral Care staff offers educational programs for nurses, medical residents, and clinical staff, as well as non-clinical staff. Programs focus on issues of grief; end-of-life issues; respect and dignity; ethics; religious diversity, moral distress, etc.
Field Education for Theology Students
The Pastoral Care department collaborates with seminaries and schools of theology to offer field education experiences for students. These learning opportunities include patients' visitation, supervision and evaluation.
Permanent Diaconate Formation Ministry Practicum
The Pastoral Care department offers a ministry experience for the candidates to the Permanent Diaconate of the Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis. This program includes patients' visitation, group reflection, supervision and evaluation.
Education for SLU Health Sciences Students
The Pastoral Care staff offer opportunities for medical students, nursing students and allied health students to shadow chaplains and reflect on their experiences. Pastoral Care staff are available for classes and presentations on topics related to spirituality and medicine.
Contact Clinical Pastoral Education
For more information about Clinical Pastoral Education contact us via one of the following:
Phone: 314-257-8700 (main CPE office)
Rev. K’Lynne McKinley, DMin, CE
Manager of Clinical Pastoral Education and Pastoral Care
klynne.mckinley@ssmhealth.com
Rev. John Allen, CE, BCC
Clinical Pastoral Educator
John.allen@ssmhealth.com
Rev. J. Scott Blair, BCC
Manager of Pastoral Care
Joseph.Blair2@ssmhealth.com
Physical Address
Pastoral Care, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital
3655 Vista Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63110
Mailing Address
Pastoral Care, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital
1201 S. Grand Boulevard
St. Louis, Missouri 63104
To ensure prompt arrival of your materials, we highly recommend sending your application via a shipping company.
Helpful CPE Links
ACPE
The Association of Professional Chaplains
The National Association of Catholic Chaplains
Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains
This ACPE accredited program does not discriminate against persons because of race, ethnicity, religious/spiritual tradition, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability.