Clinical Pastoral Education

Clinical Pastoral Education at Michigan Medicine is an interfaith professional education for ministry. From theological reflection on clinical situations, students gain a new understanding of ministry. Educators and adjunct faculty employ the clinical method of learning ministry guided by nationally accredited standards developed by ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care & Education and endorsed by The U.S. Department of Education. Out of intense involvement with persons in need and working with feedback from peers and faculty, CPE students bring forth new awareness of themselves the needs of those to whom they provide spiritual care. Michigan Medicine’s ACPE accredited Center offers Level I and Level II CPE, in single sequential units (16 weeks) or in a twelve-month program composed of three consecutive units.

U.S. News and World Report annually judge hospitals for its Best Hospitals List by rating high-quality patient care, commitment to patient safety, clinical resources, family centeredness and other measures. 2017-18 results show the University of Michigan’s hospitals ranked number 6 in the nation, making it number one in Michigan. With talented faculty, staff and students from all over the world, the iconic University of Michigan campus and Medical Campus are full of unique perspectives, opportunities, and events. CPE at Michigan Medicine all takes place within the vibrant setting of Ann Arbor, a town known for its lively arts scene, culture, parks, and restaurants.

Is CPE Right for Me?

CPE units at Michigan Medicine may be either full time or part-time. Either schedule will include an equivalent ratio of ministry to education hours. The Programs extended ACPE certified CPE units meet one day per week for structured educational sessions with clinical ministry being performed at other times. A more common day, however, is one in which time is provided for ministry and for several clinical events. Since the heart of ACPE certified CPE is ministering and learning from the experience, an education day’s schedule features a clinical seminar in which a student presents a pastoral encounter to other students and the educator for discussion and feedback. Other typical sessions are: didactic seminars in which discussion follows a lecture; discussion of a book or article; exploration of theological concerns; peer group meetings or interpersonal group sessions for mutual sharing, caring, support and relationship concerns are explored; and worship or sharing occasions which provide the opportunity for spiritual nurture. field trips, workshops, and clinical observations may be periodically included. Evaluation experiences with the other students and your educator are also part of the programs and may be scheduled midway to assess your learning objectives and at the end of a unit to sum up the experience. CPE students at Michigan Medicine will discover that the CPE program schedules ask for active investment yet still provide time for sharing, reflection, preparation, and relaxation.

Those with career interests involving Pastoral Care, Professional Chaplaincy, Pastoral Education, Pastoral Counseling, or Licensed Professional Counseling are encouraged and often required, to participate in one or more CPE units. Credits for completed CPE units may be applied towards seminary degrees, ordination, as well as membership and/or certification with several professional organizations including American Association of Pastoral Counselors, Association of Professional Chaplains, Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, National Association of Catholic Chaplains, National Association of Jewish Chaplains.

Michigan Medicine CPE Programs

CPE Programs at Michigan Medicine are a structured system of components in which clinical pastoral learning can occur in a variety of settings. CPE Level I is a program consisting of CPE unit(s) in which the student focuses on meeting the outcomes established by ACPE Standard 311. CPE Level II is a program consisting of CPE unit(s) in which the student focuses on meeting the outcomes established by ACPE Standard 312. Programs are augmented with higher education technology used at all levels of education at The University of Michigan, setting us apart from many programs in the region and nation. See the following list for currently offered programs:

  • Internship Level I / II
    • 16-week programs, based upon unit level, featuring training beginning in the Fall or Winter seasons.
    • Opportunity to work with a mentor who has been oriented to the standard outcomes for CPE students assigned to their clinical responsibilities, informed regarding the clinical model of education, and instructed to initiate communication on a regular basis regarding the student’s fulfillment of learning goals.
  • Residency Level I / II
    • 12-month program, based upon unit level, beginning annually in the Fall.
    • Opportunity for development of pastoral competence in an area of specialization with an identified focus upon one of the hundreds of Michigan Medicine specialty teams and clinics.
    • Benefits include a $36,000 annual living stipend and have access to employee medical benefits as a UM employee.

Application Information

Please complete the CPE Student Application related to your level of training found at the ACPE Student Application page. A notification regarding your application status will follow shortly after the initial screening of all applications for the upcoming CPE unit. If submitting your application by mail, please use the following address:

Spiritual Care Department/CPE Programs
UH 2A220 SPC 5062
1500 E. Medical Center Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5062

For additional application information contact the CPE Programs Assistant by phone (714) 936-4041 or email [email protected]Please note that confidentiality regarding applicant information is of the utmost importance and submissions will only be reviewed by a designated applicant selection committee.

Resident Programs

  • Fall Residency (begins annually in the week after Labor Day in September) - Applications reviewed on a rolling basis, with interviews often beginning in January (please request an earlier interview if needed, although we can’t guarantee decisions on applications before January)

Internship Programs

  • Fall Session (September- January; approx. 25 hours/week) - Applications due by May 1
    Late applications may be accepted; please contact [email protected] for more information
  • Winter Session (January-May; approx. 25 hours/week) - Applications due by October 30
    Late applications may be accepted; please contact [email protected] for more information
  • Summer Intensive Session (June-August; approx. 40 hours/week) - Applications due by October 30
    Late applications may be accepted; please contact [email protected] for more information

Statement of Confidentiality and Student Rights

(This annual notice is published in accordance with ACPE Standard 304.4):

      • This ACPE accredited CPE center/program guarantees to its students the rights to inspect and review education records, to seek to amend them, to specified control over release of record information, and to file a complaint against the program for alleged violations of these Family Education and Privacy Act (FERPA) rights.
      • A student has the right to object to record content. If not negotiable, the written objection will be kept with and released with the record. Letter grades are exempted from this right.
      • Violations of these protocols may be reported to the Chair of the Accreditation Commission at: ACPE; One West Court Square, Suite 325, Decatur, GA 30030

CPE Programs Staff

Rev. Tony Shomari Marshall, D.Min, B.C.C.
ACPE Certified Associate Educator
[email protected] Office: (714) 936-4041
UH 2A220 SPC 5062
1500 E. Medical Center Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5062

CPE Programs Assistant
[email protected] UH 2A220 SPC 5062
1500 E. Medical Center Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5062