Clinical Pastoral Education

Grady Health System’s Extended Part-time CPE Program is a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program for people who want to increase their spiritual care skills. The program is designed for people who are employed or have other obligations that prevent them from participating in a full-time program.

Program details

Successful completion of a sixteen to 18-week unit for one credit unit of Clinical Pastoral Education Level I meets standards of Association of Clinical Pastoral Education.

Prerequisites (per ACPE Accreditation Manual):

• A completed application to the ACPE accredited center is mandatory.
• An interview with a qualified interviewer to assess readiness for clinical learning.
• Ordination or commissioning to function as a spiritual care provider by an appropriate religious/spiritual authority as determined by ACPE.
• A high school diploma/GED or additional education depending on the center’s standards

   Course length

• 16 to 18 weeks

    Program goals

• Group work on a weekly basis 6 hours
• Individual supervision
• Hands-on clinical experience weekly
• On-call experience as assigned
• Earned units applicable towards certification through the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE)

CONTACT US

Rev. Cora Saunders, J.D., M.Div., ACPE C. Ed.
Director of Chaplaincy Services and GCSCE

Administrator email: [email protected].

 To reach us by phone, call (404)-616-4270

Grady’s residency program also offers Summer programs.

Successful completion of 10–14 full-time weeks of CPE Level I training for one credit unit of Clinical Pastoral Education meets the standards of the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education. Students must satisfy the following requirements for course credit:

• Six hours of group work 2–3 mornings per week
• 1 hour of individual supervision weekly
• 40+ hours of clinical experience weekly
• On-call experience as assigned

Completion of ACPE accredited programs is applicable toward eligibility for certification through the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education ACPE and the Association of Professional Chaplains APC.

Program Dates:

• May 27, 2025, through August 18, 2025
• May 26, 2026, through August 15, 2026
• May 25, 2027, through August 14, 2027

Application, Admission, and Interview Process

Grady’s Center for Spiritual Care and Education accepts applications year-round for our Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) programs. [Click here] to view the application form.

How the Process Works

• Apply Anytime
  We accept applications on a rolling basis. Apply early – space is limited, and the process is competitive.
• Application Review
  Once your file is complete, our team will review it within 30 days. If you meet the qualifications, you’ll be invited for an admissions interview.
• Interview and Selection
  Admission interviews help us get to know you and determine if the program is a good fit. Not all applicants will be interviewed, and interviews are not guaranteed.
• Acceptance
  If you’re accepted, you’ll receive an official admission letter within 30 days of your interview. You’ll then complete the required paperwork and attend orientation before starting the program.

Please note: Submission of an application or interview invitation does not guarantee admission.

 Program Deadlines

• Internships: Apply at least 45 days before the unit begins.
• Summer Internships: Apply at least 90 days before the unit begins.
• Residencies: Apply at least 3 months in advance.
• We may waive deadlines to complete peer groups.

 Tuition and Fees

• Application Fee (non-refundable): $50
• Extended or Summer Unit Tuition: $300
• Residency Program Tuition: $600
• Deposit: $100 due within 10 days of acceptance
• Remaining tuition is due at orientation (or split into two payments)

We accept online payments and money orders. We invoice institutions that cover tuition.

For questions, contact [email protected] or call (404) 616-4270. 

Faculty

Rev. Cora Saunders, J.D., M.Div., ACPE C. Ed.
ACPE Supervisor / Grady Director of Chaplaincy Department
[email protected]

Rev. William Blake Traynham, M.Div., ACPE CEC
ACPE Certified Educator Candidate / Grady Surgical Intensive Care Staff Chaplain
[email protected]

 Rev. Myisha Phillips-Stapleton, M.Div.
ACPE Certified Educator Aspirant / Grady Neonatal Intensive Care Chaplain
[email protected]

 Clinical Pastoral Education Program Materials

Forms

• Grady CPE Application Form
• Application Form – Certified Education Students
• Consent to Video
• Student Directory Information Sheet
• CPE Program Evaluation Form
• Release of Written Evaluation

Student Materials

• ACPE Standards
• ACPE Processes and Policies for Filing Complaints
• GCSCE Annual Notice

Grady’s residency program is a comprehensive path for chaplaincy training, preparing students for both immediate clinical service and future board certification.

Successful completion of 52 full-time weeks of CPE Level I/II training for three credit units of Clinical Pastoral Education meets standards of Association of Clinical Pastoral Education. Students must satisfy the following requirements for course credit:

• Six hours of group work 2–3 mornings per week
• 1 hour of individual supervision weekly
• 40 hours of clinical experience weekly
• On-call experience at the site assigned (if applicable)

With the prerequisite of one initial unit, the completion of the residency program will give a CPE resident three additional units of CPE. Four units of CPE is part of the requirement for a person to qualify for board certification with the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC). (For board certification requirements, see www.professionalchaplains.org).

Applications for residency experience at Grady should be submitted by February of the start of the residency year.

Program Dates:

• August 26, 2025, through August 31, 2026
• August 25, 2026, through August 31, 2027

Application, Admission, and Interview Process

Grady’s Center for Spiritual Care and Education accepts applications year-round for our Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) programs. [Click here] to view the application form.

How the Process Works

• Apply Anytime
  We accept applications on a rolling basis. Apply early – space is limited, and the process is competitive.
• Application Review
  Once your file is complete, our team will review it within 30 days. If you meet the qualifications, you’ll be invited for an admissions interview.
• Interview and Selection
  Admission interviews help us get to know you and determine if the program is a good fit. Not all applicants will be interviewed, and interviews are not guaranteed.
• Acceptance
  If you’re accepted, you’ll receive an official admission letter within 30 days of your interview. You’ll then complete the required paperwork and attend orientation before starting the program.

Please note: Submission of an application or interview invitation does not guarantee admission.

 Program Deadlines

• Internships: Apply at least 45 days before the unit begins.
• Summer Internships: Apply at least 90 days before the unit begins.
• Residencies: Apply at least 3 months in advance.
• We may waive deadlines to complete peer groups.

 Tuition and Fees

• Application Fee (non-refundable): $50
• Extended or Summer Unit Tuition: $300
• Residency Program Tuition: $600
• Deposit: $100 due within 10 days of acceptance
• Remaining tuition is due at orientation (or split into two payments)

We accept online payments and money orders. We invoice institutions that cover tuition.

For questions, contact [email protected] or call (404) 616-4270.

Faculty

Rev. Cora Saunders, J.D., M.Div., ACPE C. Ed.
ACPE Supervisor / Grady Director of Chaplaincy Department
[email protected]

Rev. William Blake Traynham, M.Div., ACPE CEC
ACPE Certified Educator Candidate / Grady Surgical Intensive Care Staff Chaplain
[email protected]

Rev. Myisha Phillips-Stapleton, M.Div.
ACPE Certified Educator Aspirant / Grady Neonatal Intensive Care Chaplain
[email protected]

Clinical Pastoral Education Program Materials

Forms

• Grady CPE Application Form
• Application Form – Certified Education Students
• Consent to Video
• Student Directory Information Sheet
• CPE Program Evaluation Form
• Release of Written Evaluation

Student Materials

• ACPE Standards
• ACPE Processes and Policies for Filing Complaints
• GCSCE Annual Notice

Prerequisites

CES applicants need to have met (or be able to meet within a reasonable time frame) the following prerequisites:

• Ordination/religious certification by an ecclesiastical body
• Denominational/faith group endorsement to train in the program
• Graduation from an accredited seminary, rabbinic or divinity school, and conferment of an M.Div. degree or M.Div. equivalency as confirmed by an ACPE certification committee
• Successful completion of Level I CPE and distinguished progress addressing Level II outcomes, usually at least 4 units of Level II CPE
• Successful pastoral experience as a professional minister after completion of the initial theological degree, usually not less than three years. It is preferred that one’s pastoral experience be in both an institutional and congregational context

For additional information and requirements please see the Center’s current Admissions Policy.

To inquire about current or future CES openings please contact the CPE office at [email protected].

Grady’s Level I Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program is an entry-level, accredited chaplaincy training designed for seminarians, ordained clergy, and spiritual caregivers seeking to develop core pastoral care skills in a clinical setting.

Grounded in Grady’s commitment to compassionate, person-centered care, this program offers students a structured, supervised experience that integrates theological reflection with real-world practice. Through patient visits, peer group discussions, verbatim case reviews, and individual supervision, students begin to:

• Build foundational skills in spiritual assessment and emotional presence
• Develop a professional pastoral identity rooted in empathy, integrity, and cultural humility
• Reflect on personal beliefs, biases, and experiences as they relate to spiritual care
• Learn to serve people from diverse backgrounds with dignity and respect

Students are part of a supportive, diverse peer group and are mentored by certified educators in one of the Southeast’s busiest safety-net hospitals—gaining exposure to trauma, end-of-life care, crisis response, and community-based ministry.

Application, Admission, and Interview Process

Grady’s Center for Spiritual Care and Education accepts applications year-round for our Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) programs. [Click here] to view the application form.

How the Process Works

• Apply Anytime
  We accept applications on a rolling basis. Apply early – space is limited, and the process is competitive.
• Application Review
  Once your file is complete, our team will review it within 30 days. If you meet the qualifications, you’ll be invited for an admissions interview.
• Interview and Selection
  Admission interviews help us get to know you and determine if the program is a good fit. Not all applicants will be interviewed, and interviews are not guaranteed.
• Acceptance
  If you’re accepted, you’ll receive an official admission letter within 30 days of your interview. You’ll then complete the required paperwork and attend orientation before starting the program.

Please note: Submission of an application or interview invitation does not guarantee admission.

 Program Deadlines

• Internships: Apply at least 45 days before the unit begins.
• Summer Internships: Apply at least 90 days before the unit begins.
• Residencies: Apply at least 3 months in advance.
• We may waive deadlines to complete peer groups.

 Tuition and Fees

• Application Fee (non-refundable): $50
• Extended or Summer Unit Tuition: $300
• Residency Program Tuition: $600
• Deposit: $100 due within 10 days of acceptance
• Remaining tuition is due at orientation (or split into two payments)

We accept online payments and money orders. We invoice institutions that cover tuition.

For questions, contact [email protected] or call (404) 616-4270.

Faculty

Rev. Cora Saunders, J.D., M.Div., ACPE C. Ed.
ACPE Supervisor / Grady Director of Chaplaincy Department
[email protected]

Rev. William Blake Traynham, M.Div., ACPE CEC
ACPE Certified Educator Candidate / Grady Surgical Intensive Care Staff Chaplain
[email protected]

Rev. Myisha Phillips-Stapleton, M.Div.
ACPE Certified Educator Aspirant / Grady Neonatal Intensive Care Chaplain
[email protected]

Clinical Pastoral Education Program Materials

Forms

• Grady CPE Application Form
• Application Form – Certified Education Students
• Consent to Video
• Student Directory Information Sheet
• CPE Program Evaluation Form
• Release of Written Evaluation

Student Materials

• ACPE Standards
• ACPE Processes and Policies for Filing Complaints
• GCSCE Annual Notice

Grady’s Level II Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program builds on the foundation of Level I and is designed for students who are ready to deepen their pastoral identity, sharpen their clinical skills, and move toward professional chaplaincy or advanced spiritual care roles.

At this stage, students engage more fully in complex spiritual and emotional care, expand their self-awareness, and develop greater competence in providing care across diverse clinical settings. The program supports each student’s growth through:

• Advanced pastoral formation focused on personal integration, professional ethics, and cultural humility
• Leadership in group dynamics including peer supervision and team-based care collaboration
• Specialized spiritual care training such as trauma response, palliative care, crisis intervention, and interdisciplinary teamwork
• Ongoing theological reflection that connects personal faith tradition with real-world ministry
• Progress toward board certification with the opportunity to begin meeting professional competency standards

Students in the Level II program are expected to take greater ownership of their learning goals and demonstrate increasing accountability, emotional resilience, and maturity in spiritual caregiving.

Application, Admission, and Interview Process

Grady’s Center for Spiritual Care and Education accepts applications year-round for our Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) programs. [Click here] to view the application form.

How the Process Works

• Apply Anytime
  We accept applications on a rolling basis. Apply early – space is limited, and the process is competitive.
• Application Review
  Once your file is complete, our team will review it within 30 days. If you meet the qualifications, you’ll be invited for an admissions interview.
• Interview and Selection
  Admission interviews help us get to know you and determine if the program is a good fit. Not all applicants will be interviewed, and interviews are not guaranteed.
• Acceptance
  If you’re accepted, you’ll receive an official admission letter within 30 days of your interview. You’ll then complete the required paperwork and attend orientation before starting the program.

Please note: Submission of an application or interview invitation does not guarantee admission.

 Program Deadlines

• Internships: Apply at least 45 days before the unit begins.
• Summer Internships: Apply at least 90 days before the unit begins.
• Residencies: Apply at least 3 months in advance.
• We may waive deadlines to complete peer groups.

 Tuition and Fees

• Application Fee (non-refundable): $50
• Extended or Summer Unit Tuition: $300
• Residency Program Tuition: $600
• Deposit: $100 due within 10 days of acceptance
• Remaining tuition is due at orientation (or split into two payments)

We accept online payments and money orders. We invoice institutions that cover tuition.

For questions, contact [email protected] or call (404) 616-4270.

Faculty

Rev. Cora Saunders, J.D., M.Div., ACPE C. Ed.
ACPE Supervisor / Grady Director of Chaplaincy Department
[email protected]

Rev. William Blake Traynham, M.Div., ACPE CEC
ACPE Certified Educator Candidate / Grady Surgical Intensive Care Staff Chaplain
[email protected]

Rev. Myisha Phillips-Stapleton, M.Div.
ACPE Certified Educator Aspirant / Grady Neonatal Intensive Care Chaplain
[email protected]

Clinical Pastoral Education Program Materials

Forms

• Grady CPE Application Form
• Application Form – Certified Education Students
• Consent to Video
• Student Directory Information Sheet
• CPE Program Evaluation Form
• Release of Written Evaluation

Student Materials

• ACPE Standards
• ACPE Processes and Policies for Filing Complaints
• GCSCE Annual Notice