Program Dates

Home

We accept applications for all programs at any time. The calendar month when applications will begin to be reviewed is specified under each program listed below, and beginning in that month we conduct interviews and offer acceptances on a rolling basis until the program is full, generally 2-3 months in advance. Regular tuition for extended and full time programs is $500. There is no fee to apply.

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.

ACPE Outcomes and Indicators

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/reviewed on rolling basis until program is full.

One unit of ACPE credit

Spring 2026 Extended Program (Clinical Placement in Evansville)

January 19 to June 5, 2026

15 hours per week of clinical practice, plus three eight hour weekend shifts and four hours of shadowing the triage chaplain on the weekend, completed through a signed clinical placement agreement at Ascension St. Vincent Evansville.

Group education conducted via videoconferencing (Google Meet) on Tuesdays from 12:30-4:30 pm Central time. On three occasions this will extend to a whole day, 8:30 am-4:30 pm in person at Ascension St. Vincent Evansville; January 20, March 24, and June 2. Potential students need access to a private space, computer with strong internet connection, and webcam.

Priority will be given to applicants completing their clinical hours at Ascension St. Vincent Evansville; other outside clinical placements will be considered by request and require an on-site preceptor. Standard tuition if at least half of clinical hours are at an Ascension St. Vincent facility is $500, otherwise tuition is $1000.

Applications are now being received/reviewed, application deadline is November 1, 2025; we will make a decision by December 1 about whether we have sufficient students to conduct the program.

2026-2027 Chaplain Residency

August 24, 2026 to August 13, 2027
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, 2026

Four 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

Fall 2025 Extended Program (Indianapolis)

August 26 to December 19, 2025

Four days of orientation (August 26 to August 29 ).
Following orientation, 16 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.
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).