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Standards Manual
Standards Manual
The Standards Manual has been retired as of January 1, 2020. Ethics Click here to view the Code of Professional Ethics for Members of ACPE Click here to view the Professional Ethics Manual Accreditation Click here to view the ACPE Standards and Portfolio…
Complaints Alleging Violations of ACPE Education Standards in Educational Programs
2020 Accreditation Manual » The Accreditation Commission » Complaints Alleging Violations of ACPE Education Standards in Educational Programs
POLICY FOR COMPLAINTS ALLEGING VIOLATIONS OF ACPE EDUCATION STANDARDS in EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS As required by the U.S. Department of Education, ACPE has policies for addressing complaints against the Accreditation Commission and complaints against education programs.…
Compliance with Standards
2020 Accreditation Manual » Supporting Documents » Compliance with Standards
An accredited program is obligated to remain in compliance with all ACPE Standards, Policies, and Procedures. A program’s compliance is measured by: Program self-identification. Late registration of Student Units or Late Final Evaluations Areas of…
400 Standards--Certification
Standards Manual » 400 Standards--Certification
!These standards are only applicable to those in the OLD Certification Process. For those in the NEW Certification Process, please refer to the ACPE Certified Educator Competencies, to the NEW Certification Process Manual, and the ACPE Website for more…
XI. Processing Complaints Through Mediation
Professional Ethics Manual » Part II--Processing Complaints of Ethics Code » XI. Processing Complaints Through Mediation
A. Mediation generally precedes the commencement of the investigative process, if it is used. Occasionally, it may occur during or after the investigative process if both parties and the IRP and/or investigator concur. Time lines toll during the period in which…
V. Complaints Against Former ACPE Members
Professional Ethics Manual » Part II--Processing Complaints of Ethics Code » V. Complaints Against Former ACPE Members
A. A complaint against a member who resigns after the complaint is filed will be processed according to the procedures outlined below. If a sanction is imposed, the former member cannot rejoin ACPE until the terms of the sanction have been fulfilled. B. If a…
Complaints Against the ACPE Accreditation Commission
2020 Accreditation Manual » The Accreditation Commission » Complaints Against the ACPE Accreditation Commission
As required by the U.S. Department of Education, ACPE has policies for addressing complaints against the Accreditation Commission and complaints against education programs. This document details how a complaint may be filed if it is believed that the Commission or its…
III. Time Limits for Filing Complaints
Professional Ethics Manual » Part II--Processing Complaints of Ethics Code » III. Time Limits for Filing Complaints
A. Reporting an alleged violation close to its occurrence is important to the effective investigation and evaluation of evidence as well as to the wellbeing of all people involved. 1. The time limit is ten years for a complaint alleging sexual exploitation and one…
Academic Qualifications and Equivalency Standards
Certification Manual » Documents and Other Processes » Academic Qualifications and Equivalency Standards
A. Master’s degree from a CHEA member organization, accredited college or university in religious or spiritual studies of 72 semester-hours minimum or 72 graduate theological semester credits or 108 quarter credits that include the following: Twenty four graduate…
ACPE Standards and Portfolio Expectations
2020 Accreditation Manual » ACPE Standards and Portfolio Expectations
Click on the link to view the Standard, the rationale, and portfolio expectations: Standard 1 – Educational Environment A program has an educational plan that engages its students in a process model of education and clinical method of learning, ensuring an…
Part II--Processing Complaints of Ethics Code
Professional Ethics Manual » Part II--Processing Complaints of Ethics Code
I. Where to Begin II. Complaint Basics III. Time Limits for Filing Complaints IV. Particular Reporting Implications for ACPE Members V. Complaints Against Former ACPE Members VI. Member Who Defaults on Process VII. Bias or Conflict of Interest VIII. …
Standards 403-406 Certification as Certified Educator Candidate
Standards Manual » 400 Standards--Certification » Standards 403-406 Certification as Certified Educator Candidate
Standard 403 Formal requirements include: 403.1 ACPE membership. 403.2 college graduation. 403.3 graduate theological degree or its equivalent. 403.4 ordination or commission to function in ministry by an appropriate religious authority as determined by…
Standards 407-410 Certification as Associate Certified Educator
Standards Manual » 400 Standards--Certification » Standards 407-410 Certification as Associate Certified Educator
Standard 407 Formal requirements: 407.1 certification as Certified Educator Candidate. 407.2 ACPE membership as a Certified Educator Candidate. 407.3 completion of at least two units of supervised supervision of CPE as a Certfied Educator Candidate. 407.4 approval…
The Accreditation Commission
2020 Accreditation Manual » The Accreditation Commission
Complaints Alleging Violations of ACPE Education Standards in Educational Programs Complaints Against the ACPE Accreditation Commission Qualifications and Credentials of Persons Involved in Accreditation Evaluation Bias and Conflict of Interest Review of Procedures…
Professional Ethics Commission (the “Commission” or PEC)
Professional Ethics Manual » Part I- Introduction » Professional Ethics Commission (the “Commission” or PEC)
Purposes (1) educate about issues of professional ethics and (2) establish orderly and fair processes for adjudicating complaints of ethical violations (ACPE Code of Professional Ethics) made against ACPE members or ACPE Centers or Satellite Programs or national…
Professional Ethics Commission Preface
Professional Ethics Manual » Professional Ethics Commission Preface
ACPE is committed to maintaining high standards of ethical behavior in its programs and by its members. That commitment is evidenced in the ACPE Code of Professional Ethics. The Association recognizes that complaints alleging infractions of the Code by members will be…
Required Program Policies
2020 Accreditation Manual » Required Program Policies
An accredited program must include the following policies in their student handbook. While there is room for program specific information, care must be taken so that program policies are in alignment with all ACPE Standards and Policies contained in this manual.…
II. Complaint Basics
Professional Ethics Manual » Part II--Processing Complaints of Ethics Code » II. Complaint Basics
A. A Complaint is a grievance, presented in writing and signed, involving an alleged violation of the ethical criteria established by the ACPE Code of Professional Ethics . A complaint must identify the item in the code or process alleged violated. Complaints may be…
X. The Initial Review Panel
Professional Ethics Manual » Part II--Processing Complaints of Ethics Code » X. The Initial Review Panel
A. An Initial Review Panel (IRP1) convenes by telephone or Internet. The ED managing the case and the Ethics Commission Chair leading the process (EPC), with the ethics consultant [if one], determine if there is jurisdiction for the complaint: 1. Is the respondent a…
Standard 4 – Management of CPE Programs
2020 Accreditation Manual » ACPE Standards and Portfolio Expectations » Standard 4 – Management of CPE Programs
A program demonstrates consistent and fair management of its programs for all students. Rationale An ACPE accredited program’s policies and procedures assist all parties in understanding individual and shared responsibilities, expectations, mutual…
IV. Particular Reporting Implications for ACPE Members
Professional Ethics Manual » Part II--Processing Complaints of Ethics Code » IV. Particular Reporting Implications for ACPE Members
A. ACPE members agree to adhere to a standard of conduct consistent with the code of ethics established in ACPE standards. Members are required to sign the Accountability For Ethical Conduct Policy Report Form yearly and return it with their annual ACPE dues. Members…
Standing Commissions
Governance Manual » Article 6: Commissions and Committees » Standing Commissions
Accreditation Section 6.02, Duties. The Accreditation Commission shall implement the procedures on accreditation of CPE centers, clusters, systems, and CPE programs as required and defined by ACPE Standards and make all accreditation decisions for the Association as…
XIX. Records Retention
Professional Ethics Manual » Part II--Processing Complaints of Ethics Code » XIX. Records Retention
Official files on a case are maintained by the PEC chair until the case is concluded. The official file is then sent to the ACPE national office where it remains until notice of the respondent’s death. Files are electronic with access limited as described below.…
Article 8: Notices
Governance Manual » Article 8: Notices
This section is included to ensure that various ways of notice of a meeting can be given and to ensure that, if a person attends the meeting, such attendance waives any complaints pertaining to not being notified.
Professional Ethics Manual
Professional Ethics Manual
Professional Ethics Commission Preface Part One—Introduction I. ACPE Mission, Vision, Values II. Professional Ethics Commission Part Two-Processing Complaints of Ethics Code PEC Appendices Policy to Ensure Fitness and Wellness of Educators and…
Standard 411-412 Certification as ACPE Certified Educator
Standards Manual » 400 Standards--Certification » Standard 411-412 Certification as ACPE Certified Educator
Standard 411 Formal requirements: 411.1 certification as Associate Certified Educator. 411.2 ACPE membership. 411.3 having conducted at least two independent units of CPE following certification as Associate Certified Educator. Standard 412 Professional competence:…
Introduction to the Accreditation Process
2020 Accreditation Manual » Introduction to the Accreditation Process
An ACPE accredited educational program serves to advance the mission of ACPE. CPE programs provide experiential learning, the goal of which is to develop and foster the art and practice of spiritual care. CPE students learn from the people they serve, their peers, and…
I. Where to Begin
Professional Ethics Manual » Part II--Processing Complaints of Ethics Code » I. Where to Begin
Launching and responding to a complaint is intensive and demanding, not to be undertaken casually. One should study the instructions closely and prepare carefully and thoughtfully for participation. Making an Ethics Allegation: A. Grievances giving rise to a…
Review of Procedures and Accreditation Criteria
2020 Accreditation Manual » The Accreditation Commission » Review of Procedures and Accreditation Criteria
The Commission reviews and evaluates its procedures and accreditation criteria every five years, or sooner if legal, regulatory, or other circumstances require. If during the review it is determined that changes are needed to the standards, ACPE will initiate…
Definition of Terms
Definition of Terms
Click here for the Definition of Terms associated with Accreditation. ACPE Directory – The official ACPE listing of accredited ACPE centers and their designated programs and supervisors; satellite programs that have received a site visit, member seminaries;…
Accreditation Portfolio
2020 Accreditation Manual » The Accreditation Process » Accreditation Portfolio
The ACPE Accreditation Portfolio presents essential components of the ecology of an accredited program for spiritual care education. When completed and maintained, the Portfolio serves as an up-to-date account of a program, as well as its vision and plan for the…
2020 Accreditation Manual
2020 Accreditation Manual
*The new accreditation process took effect January 1, 2020. The standards, policies, and procedures located in this manual replace all previously published materials. Introduction to the Accreditation Process Substantive Updates to the Accreditation Manual Using…
Documents and Other Processes
Certification Manual » Documents and Other Processes
Academic Qualifications and Equivalency Standards Annual Accountability for Ethical Conduct Report Code of Professional Ethics for Members of ACPE Maintaining Your ACPE Certified Educator Status Review of Supervisory/Educational Competence Continuation in the…
Using the Manual
2020 Accreditation Manual » Using the Manual
This manual is designed to help with understanding the Accreditation Process, Standards, and how programs are able to demonstrate compliance. *It is the intention throughout this manual to utilize gender-inclusive language. To the extent possible, the Accreditation…
Code of Professional Ethics for Members of ACPE
Certification Manual » Documents and Other Processes » Code of Professional Ethics for Members of ACPE
Maintenance of high standards of ethical conduct is a responsibility shared by all ACPE members. In relationship to those served, ACPE members: affirm and respect the human dignity and individual worth of each person. do not discriminate against anyone because…
Code of Professional Ethics for Members of ACPE
2020 Accreditation Manual » Supporting Documents » Code of Professional Ethics for Members of ACPE
Maintenance of high standards of ethical conduct is a responsibility shared by all ACPE members. In relationship to those served, ACPE members: affirm and respect the human dignity and individual worth of each person. do not discriminate against anyone because…
Data Collection
2020 Accreditation Manual » Policy and Procedure Development for Programs » Data Collection
As a learning organization, ACPE requires that programs gather data in a variety of forms. This data serves as “evidence” of a program’s compliance with standards and of its programmatic and educational effectiveness. As a program embarks upon…
Supporting Documents
2020 Accreditation Manual » Supporting Documents
Code of Professional Ethics for Members of ACPE Objectives and Outcomes for Level I/Level II CPE REVISED ACPE Outcomes and Indicators Competencies for Certified Educator CPE Compliance with Standards Commission Actions Notification of Commission Actions Appeal…
Changes in Programs
2020 Accreditation Manual » Policy and Procedure Development for Programs » Changes in Programs
Changes in Personnel Policies ACPE Standards require program to maintain faculty composed of persons authorized by ACPE (ACPE Certified Educator) and of sufficient number to fulfill program goals. Programs may not conduct units of CPE or CEC training unless an…
Reciprocity
Certification Manual » Documents and Other Processes » Reciprocity
Policies Individuals must meet the requirements for an ACPE Certified Educator Criteria – ACPE honors certification of specifically identified associations whose standards and ethical values are equivalent to those of ACPE. ACPE currently has agreements of…
Annual Accountability for Ethical Conduct Report
Certification Manual » Documents and Other Processes » Annual Accountability for Ethical Conduct Report
The following is a copy of the text of the Accountability for Ethical Conduct Report Form that is required to be signed and submitted each year. To access the online form, click here. For the purposes of this Policy, “member” refers to: ACPE Certified…
Information Provided to the Department of Education
2020 Accreditation Manual » The Accreditation Commission » Information Provided to the Department of Education
ACPE will submit to the Department of Education: Notifications of all accreditation decisions (see Notifications of Commission Actions) A list, updated annually, of its accredited and provisionally accredited programs A summary of our annual major…
Commission Actions
2020 Accreditation Manual » Supporting Documents » Commission Actions
The Accreditation Commission’s role is to ensure that all accredited centers are in compliance with the ACPE Standards. The Commission will utilize the following to do this: During Periodic Reviews Identified Areas of Non-Compliance When the Commission has…
Public Information
2020 Accreditation Manual » The Accreditation Commission » Public Information
The Commission will make the following information available to the public via its website and the Accreditation Manual: Each type of accreditation and provisional accreditation it grants The procedures programs must follow in applying for accreditation,…
Standard 6 – Continuous Improvement
2020 Accreditation Manual » ACPE Standards and Portfolio Expectations » Standard 6 – Continuous Improvement
A program demonstrates how it addresses continuous improvement of its operations and program management. Rationale An ACPE accredited program employs an action/reflection/action approach to continuous improvement of its operations and program management. Opportunity…
ACPE Related Terms
2020 Accreditation Manual » Definition of Terms for the Accreditation Process » ACPE Related Terms
Educational Terms may be found by clicking here. ACPE Program (Accredited Program): An administrative structure or entity authorized by the ACPE Accreditation Commission to conduct programs of CPE Level I/Level II and Certified Educator CPE. An ACPE accredited program…
Periodic Reviews
2020 Accreditation Manual » Supporting Documents » Commission Actions » Periodic Reviews
The commission shall take action on programs that have completed a periodic review at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Provisional Accreditation – for up to two years. Grant Grant with deficiencies: Programs must address and resolve the deficiencies…
Called Review
2020 Accreditation Manual » Supporting Documents » Commission Actions » Called Review
Called Review Initiated by the Commission The Accreditation Commission shall require a site visit when, in its judgment, there is cause to believe a program with Provisional Accreditation or an Accredited Member program: Is substantially out of compliance with ACPE…
Article 3: Members
ACPE By-Laws » Article 3: Members
Section 3.01, Members. The Association may have different types and classes of members as appropriate for continuation and engagement in the purpose of the Association. The definition and designation of such types and classes of membership, and qualification and rights…
Standard 402 Pre-Certification: Preparation for Candidacy (Readiness Consultation)
Standards Manual » 400 Standards--Certification » Standard 402 Pre-Certification: Preparation for Candidacy (Readiness Consultation)
Formal Requirements include: 402.1 current ACPE clinical membership; 402.2 satisfactory completion of four units of CPE (Level I/Level II) (Standard 400). 402.3 acceptance into an ACPE accredited program of Certified Educator CPE. 402.4 pre-certification…
PEC Appendices
Professional Ethics Manual » PEC Appendices
APPENDIX 1 ACPE Inter Commission/Entity Referral APPENDIX 2 Common Standards for Professional Chaplaincy Policy to Ensure Fitness and Wellness of Educators Whistleblower Policy Education Program Complaint Response Form Ethics Complaint Response Form Click here…
Core Curriculum
Certification Manual » Part III: The Certification Process » Phase II » Core Curriculum
The Core Curriculum is spread out during Phase I and Phase II, and is designed to provide a consistent baseline of knowledge and information for our aspirants. The curriculum is comprised of video presentations and the aspirant is required to write a response to the…
Standard 415 Appeal of Certification Decisions
Standards Manual » 400 Standards--Certification » Standard 415 Appeal of Certification Decisions
Applicants seeking certification have a right to request a review of a negative decision and a right to an orderly presentation of views when a decision is appealed. Members of sub-committees rendering a negative certification decision are prohibited from discussing…
Substantive Updates to the Accreditation Manual
2020 Accreditation Manual » Substantive Updates to the Accreditation Manual
March 12, 2024 Per USDE regulations, the following pages have been updated: Adverse Actions and Identified Areas of Non-Compliance – Suspensions are no longer considered adverse actions and have been moved to the list of potential actions to be taken by the…
Qualifications and Credentials of Persons Involved in Accreditation Evaluation
2020 Accreditation Manual » The Accreditation Commission » Qualifications and Credentials of Persons Involved in Accreditation Evaluation
The Accreditation Commission is comprised of a chair, chair-elect, 16 ACPE Certified Educators, 2 members of the public, and 1 practitioner. While the commission makes all final decisions about provisional accreditation, accreditation, areas of non-compliance,…
Maintaining Your ACPE Certified Educator Credential
Certification Manual » Documents and Other Processes » Maintaining Your ACPE Certified Educator Credential
All ACPE Educators are obligated to the following: Adhering to the ACPE Code of Professional Ethics as attested to by one’s professional peers and constituents through on-going program review. Completing and documenting 50 hours minimum of continuing education…
Article 5: Board of Directors
Governance Manual » Article 5: Board of Directors
Section 5.01, Number and Qualifications. From time to time, the Board may appoint a person or persons to represent the Association in other organizations or associations where it is deemed beneficial for ACPE. The current appointments [2017] include: Journal of…
Standard 7 – Ethical Integrity and Cultural Responsiveness
2020 Accreditation Manual » ACPE Standards and Portfolio Expectations » Standard 7 – Ethical Integrity and Cultural Responsiveness
A program upholds ACPE Values and evidences ethical conduct and responsibility. Rationale An ACPE Accredited Program and those who work and learn therein are expected to act with integrity and to ensure that a program’s activities are in compliance with both…
Core Curriculum
Certification Manual » Part III: The Certification Process » Phase I » Core Curriculum
The Core Curriculum is spread out during Phase I and Phase II is designed to provide a consistent baseline of knowledge and information for our aspirants. The curriculum is comprised of video presentations and the aspirant is required to write a response to the…
Standard 413 Continuation of Certified Educator Status
Standards Manual » 400 Standards--Certification » Standard 413 Continuation of Certified Educator Status
Preservation of one’s status as ACPE Certified Educator 413.1 adhering to the ACPE Code of Professional Ethics as attested to by one’s professional peers and constituents through on-going program review. 413.2 completing and documenting 50 hours minimum of…
Regard for Decisions of States and Other Accrediting Agencies
2020 Accreditation Manual » The Accreditation Commission » Regard for Decisions of States and Other Accrediting Agencies
ACPE will not grant initial or renewed accreditation or provisional accreditation to a program offered by an institution, unless it provides to the Secretary, within 30 days of its action, a thorough and reasonable explanation, consistent with its standards, why the…
Accredited Member to a System Program
2020 Accreditation Manual » The Accreditation Process » Pathways for Accreditation » Accredited Member to a System Program
For an accredited program wishing to become an Accredited System program, a revision of materials and a full accreditation review site visit (including a National Site Team Chair, ACPE Certified Educator, and a practitioner) must take place. The site visit will shift…
Appeal of Adverse Decisions of the Commission
2020 Accreditation Manual » Supporting Documents » Appeal of Adverse Decisions of the Commission
The ACPE appeal process for adverse decisions of the Accreditation Commission is designed to provide an opportunity for the program to appeal any adverse action prior to the action becoming final, as defined by the U.S. Department of Education (34 CFR Sec. 602.25…
Program Feasibility/Self-Study Requirements
2020 Accreditation Manual » The Accreditation Process » Program Feasibility/Self-Study Requirements
Policy ACPE requires a feasibility study for applying for provisional accreditation. If seeking Provisional Accreditation from a component site, update materials according to the feasibility study criteria. ACPE requires a self-study for: a program moving from…
Certification Preface
Certification Manual » Certification Preface
ACPE has a long history of certifying individuals to supervise clinical pastoral education (CPE) professionally. In the certification process small groups of experienced practitioner peers assess applicants’ competence in the art and identity required to supervise…
B. ACPE Certification and the Certification Commission
Certification Manual » Part I: Introduction » B. ACPE Certification and the Certification Commission
ACPE Certification Certification by ACPE is an earned privilege and responsibility. It is achieved by meeting the requirements for certification in the ACPE standards. ACPE Certified Educators are clinical pastoral educators who are academically prepared and who are…
Part One: The Local ACPE Accredited Program
Certification Manual » Part II: Admissions Process » Part One: The Local ACPE Accredited Program
Admission to the local ACPE Accredited Program includes the following criteria: A completed Application for Certified Educator Programs College graduation Graduate theological degree or its equivalent Ordination or commissioning to function as a spiritual care…
Appeal of Certification Commission Decisions
Certification Manual » Documents and Other Processes » Review of Supervisory/Educational Competence » Appeal of Certification Commission Decisions
Note: all time frames are calendar days. Policy Publication of decisions – Decisions to deny certification or revoke educator status are not effective or published until time for appeal has lapsed or until the appeal process is concluded, which ever…
Program Closure
2020 Accreditation Manual » The Accreditation Process » Program Closure
An ACPE program may voluntarily withdraw its accreditation when circumstances dictate. The Accreditation Commission may also withdraw a program’s accreditation as a result of failure to comply with ACPE Accreditation Standards. If a program allows its…
Adverse Actions
2020 Accreditation Manual » Supporting Documents » Commission Actions » Adverse Actions
Denial of Provisional Accreditation or Initial Accreditation – a program applying for provisional accreditation or initial accreditation may have their application denied. If a program is denied provisional or initial accreditation, the Commission shall identify…
Updates to the Manuals
Updates to the Manuals
Any changes to the Manuals will be listed here along with the effective date of the change. 2024 January 22,2024 Professional Ethics Manual Updates Section III Time Limits for Filing Complaints Section XII The Investigative Phase, B2 has been updated 2023 August…
Certified Educator CPE
2020 Accreditation Manual » The Accreditation Process » Certified Educator CPE
Policy and Process The accredited program must submit the Request for Accreditation Review and upload all required materials to the center’s portfolio a minimum of 45 days before the first unit of Certified Educator CPE will commence. Provisionally accredited…
Requests for Review Postponement
2020 Accreditation Manual » The Accreditation Process » Requests for Review Postponement
Programs with provisional accreditation or accredited centers may request a one-time, one year postponement of a scheduled accreditation review when one of the following acceptable circumstances has occurred: A program is without an ACPE Certified Educator during the…
Types of Accreditation
2020 Accreditation Manual » The Accreditation Process » Types of Accreditation
The Accreditation Commission offers three categories for its accredited members. While the requirements and standards remain the same for each, there are unique components for each type of accreditation that are important for centers to note. Within each category, the…
XV. Appeal Process
Professional Ethics Manual » Part II--Processing Complaints of Ethics Code » XV. Appeal Process
A. Who may appeal: The respondent can appeal Findings and/or sanctions; the complainant may appeal only the findings. The appealing party is the Appellant. B. Basis: An appeal must be based on one or both of these grounds: (a) the party was refused reasonable…
XII. The Investigative Phase
Professional Ethics Manual » Part II--Processing Complaints of Ethics Code » XII. The Investigative Phase
A. The Investigator The investigator will conduct the investigation according to the processes set forth below. The investigation may be conducted under the guidance of a legal or ethics consultant appointed for this purpose. B. The Investigative Process 1. The…
XIII. Fact Finding/ Hearing Panel
Professional Ethics Manual » Part II--Processing Complaints of Ethics Code » XIII. Fact Finding/ Hearing Panel
A. The Hearing Panel is the designated fact-finding body. The Process Chair is the convener of the Hearing and submits the official notes for the Minutes. The Process Chair may vote only to break a tie. B. Four designated members of the Commission(s) conducting the…
Guide for Student Records
2020 Accreditation Manual » Policy and Procedure Development for Programs » Guide for Student Records
Overview Students own information about them and must know what information is being collected and how it is being used. A student’s information cannot be shared without their written permission. Every ACPE program must publicize an Annual Notice (see template…