Clinical Pastoral Education at Michigan Medicine is an interfaith professional education program. Students engage in clinical work and then reflect on those experiences collectively with an accompanying curriculum. 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 and 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 (25 weeks) or in a twelve-month program composed of three consecutive units. U.S. News and World Report regularly ranks Michigan Medicine as the number one hospital in Michigan and one of the top hospitals nationally. 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.
What is CPE?
CPE units at Michigan Medicine may be either full time or part-time. Either schedule will include an equivalent ratio of clinical work to education hours. Students will meet together one day per week for structured educational sessions with clinical work being performed at other times. Since the heart of ACPE certified CPE is learning from clinical experience, an education day’s schedule features a clinical seminar in which a student presents a verbatim to other students and the educator for discussion and feedback. Education days also often include 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. 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 learning can occur in a variety of settings. Our students are part of a diverse and talented team of chaplains, with formal and informal opportunities to learn together. 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. Our students join a talented and diverse team of chaplains with formal and informal opportunities for learning within the Department of Spiritual Care as well as throughout Michigan Medicine. Our clinical settings are often fast-paced and require comfort with technology, communication, and teamwork.
See the following list for currently offered programs:
+ Internship Level I / II
- 25-week programs, based upon unit level, featuring training beginning in the September and March
+ Residency Level I / II
- 12-month program, based upon unit level, beginning annually in September
- Upon approval, residents will rotate with the Adult Palliative Care Service and may choose to rotate with one of many other services, including Pediatric Palliative Care, Ethics, of the Healthcare Equity Consult Service
- Benefits include a $38,000 annual living stipend and access to medical insurance *stipend adjusted annually
- Of note, the residency requires one prior unit of CPE
+ Certified Educator training available but not currently accepting applicants
+ Student Handbook
Application Information
Please complete the CPE Student Application related to your level of training found at the ACPE Student Application page. We strongly recommend emailing your completed application to [email protected]. If needed, you may also mail it to Department of Spiritual Care UH2A220, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. You will receive an email notifying you that we have received your application. We review applications on a rolling basis. For additional application information, contact the Spiritual Care office by phone (734) 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.
Residency Admissions
Fall Residency (begins 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 Admissions
Fall Session (September- March; approx. 25 hours/week) - Applications recommended by May 1. Late applications may be accepted; please contact [email protected] for more information
Winter Session (March-August; approx. 25 hours/week) - Applications recommended by November 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]
Erin Eyler, CPE Programs Assistant - [email protected]
Call: 734-936-4041