Clinical Pastoral Education
CPE Units
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
Completion of a CPE unit requires 100 hours of class and 300 hours of clinical work.
- Online CPE options are now available at Pine Rest with all classes having a virtual option.
- Clinical work at your own ministry site can be counted toward your clinical hours.
- The ministry site could be your current congregation, non-profit organization, social justice organization, hospital, hospice or extended care facility.
- You will need a mentor from within your ministry site to serve as your “preceptor,” providing an additional layer of support and site placement guidance.
- You must work at least 20 hours per week (30 hours during the Summer Unit—see below) in your current ministry site to achieve the required 300 clinical hours per unit.
Fall Unit
August 17, 2026 – December 18, 2026
This professional, experienced based education program is an opportunity to develop one’s pastoral leadership and ministry skills. This part-time unit meets for class 8 hours each week for 16 weeks. An additional 20 hours of ministry per week in one’s own ministry site or through Pine Rest is required.
Application deadline: July 25, 2026.
Please send ACPE application along with a $75 application fee, to:
Pastoral Services & CPE
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
300 68th St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
Spring Unit
January 4 – May 14, 2027
This professional, experienced based education program is an opportunity to develop one’s pastoral leadership and ministry skills. This part-time unit meets for class 8 hours per week for 16 weeks. An additional 20 hours of ministry per week in one’s own ministry site or through Pine Rest is required.
Application deadline: November 1, 2026.
Summer Unit
May 24 – August 13, 2027
This professional, experienced based education program is an opportunity to develop one’s pastoral leadership and ministry skills. This full-time unit meets for class 10 hours per week for 11 weeks. An additional 30 hours of ministry per week in one’s own ministry site or through Pine Rest is required.