Defining a Unit of CPE

A unit of CPE is comprised of 400 hours. A student that demonstrates achievement of the specified indicators, completes the required 400 hours, and fulfills all local program requirements will be granted credit in the ACPE database.

A unit includes a minimum of 100 hours of structured group and individual education and a minimum of 250 hours of supervised clinical practice in spiritual care. While individual programs must meet these minimum hour requirements, they may utilize the remaining 50 hours as best supports their program. The syllabus for the unit should provide a breakdown of the hours for each component.

Programs are expected to demonstrate how they utilize the total number of hours and should specify which hours of related activities are included in the unit and which are not (i.e. orientation, overnight on-call, etc). See Standard 2 for more information

Just as in the professional world, where requirements and obligations sometimes go beyond the “regular” day for spiritual caregivers, so too does this occur for CPE students. In limited cases, a student may be required to complete additional hours due to scheduling, extenuating circumstances, or certain events that necessitate the role of a spiritual caregiver.

It is important to note that a student who is an employee of the accredited program, e.g. a resident, or who receives a stipend for their participation in the unit, may be obligated to additional hours beyond the 400 hours as a condition of their employment.

!If a student successfully completes the required hours and demonstrates achievement of the indicators for that unit, but does not complete all program requirements, including, but not limited to payment of tuition/fees and written materials, they will receive “0” credit for the unit. Upon the successful completion of the program’s requirements, the ACPE Certified Educator will change the credit to either .5 or 1, depending on the level of student achievement demonstrated (see Student Achievement for Level I/Level II Programs).

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For certain units that began prior to January 1, 2024, the following will apply:

A half-unit of CPE is comprised of 240 hours. Successful completion of 240 hours (including center requirements) is registered as .5 credit of CPE in the ACPE database.

A half-unit includes a minimum of 60 hours of structured group and individual education and a minimum of 155 hours of supervised clinical practice in spiritual care. While individual programs must meet these minimum hour requirements, they may utilize the remaining 25 hours as best supports their program. The syllabus for the unit should provide a breakdown of the hours for each component.