Program Dates
Levels of CPE Offered
Beginning in January 2024, all new students will begin CPE at Level 1a according to the New ACPE Outcomes and Indicators and proceed according to the ACPE Student Achievement policy. Students who have completed CPE units previously may begin at a different level based on the ACPE Certified Educator's assessment; this level will be communicated in the admissions letter. Ascension St. Vincent Hospital is accredited to offer Levels 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b and Certified Educator CPE by ACPE.
Fall 2025 Extended Program (Indianapolis)
August 26 to December 19, 2025Four days of orientation (August 26 to August 29 ).
Following orientation, 15 hours of chaplaincy care per week and 4 hours of group education.
Group education in person at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital on Wednesdays 1:00-5:00 pm beginning September 3. On two occasions (October date TBD and December 17) will be extended to an all day session, 9:00 am-5:00 pm.
16 (sixteen) clinical hours per week.
Four chaplaincy care hours per week, and six eight hour weekend Chaplain on Duty shifts (plus eight hours of shadowing before one's first shift) are also required at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital (Indianapolis).
The other 12 clinical hours per week could be done at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital (Indianapolis), or at another Ascension St. Vincent facility (Anderson, Kokomo, etc) or outside facility (parish, hospital) by a signed clinical placement agreement.
Applications now being accepted/reviewed (June 2025).
Spring 2026 Extended Program (Indianapolis)
January 13 to May 15, 2026
Four days of orientation (January 13 to 16)
Following orientation, 15 hours of chaplaincy care per week and 4 hours of group education.
Group education on Wednesdays, 1:00 pm-5:00 pm
Four hours per week, and six eight hour weekend Chaplain on Duty shifts also required at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital (Indianapolis).
The other eleven hours per week of chaplaincy care could be done at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital (Indianapolis), Anderson, Kokomo or outside facility by a signed clinical placement agreement.
Applications now being received/will be reviewed beginning August 2025.
One unit of ACPE credit
2026-2027 Chaplain Residency
Residents are paid a stipend of $43,488 and are overtime-exempt, benefit eligible associates for one year. Residents serve five eight hour shifts a week (40 hours), one of those shifts being a night or weekend eight hour shift every 2-3 weeks. Three units of ACPE credit.
One completed unit of CPE (ACPE Accredited Preferred) and a Graduate Theological Degree which meets requirements for Board Certification either complete or in process to be completed within two years of residency graduation is required as a pre-requisite.
Tuition of $150.00 per unit ($450 for the year)
Applications now being received; interviews will begin January 2026.
Summer 2026 Summer Intensive Program (Indianapolis)
May 26 to August 7, 2026Four days of orientation (May 26 to May 29 ).
This is a full time, 40 hour a week commitment for 11 weeks.
It is primarily intended for seminarians, rabbinical students and others who are completing CPE as part of ordination requirement and preparation for ministry.
Six eight hour chaplain on duty shifts, as well as eight hours of shadowing the chaplain on duty prior to first shift, are required at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital (Indianapolis). When interns complete a chaplain on duty shift they receive the following Monday off. All clinical hours must be completed at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital (Indianapolis) given the brief and full time nature of this program.
Applications now being accepted/will be reviewed beginning December 2025.
One unit of ACPE credit
Diversity and Inclusion
Our CPE Program is committed to practicing the Ascension Core Value of Reverence: Honoring the Dignity and Diversity of Life.
We see diversity of all kinds as a strength and central to our vision that spiritual care leaders contribute to healthier communities, defining healthier communities as ones that "welcome diversity, practice inclusion at every level and have a holistic understanding of wellness."