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Loyola Medicine Clinical Pastoral Education

The clinical pastoral team at Loyola

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) prepares spiritual care chaplains through supervised training in clinical settings. The curriculum integrates theological and behavioral science to help deepen understanding of patients, families and health care systems. Students develop pastoral and interpersonal skills while providing spiritual care in various clinical settings.

CPE Program at Loyola Medicine

Loyola's CPE program provides supervised clinical training in both outpatient and inpatient settings, with individualized mentoring from staff chaplains and opportunities to serve on interdisciplinary care teams. Here’s what sets our program apart:

  • Clinical integration: CPE students work alongside staff chaplains on hospital units, providing spiritual care to patients, families and staff, from newborn blessings to end-of-life support.
  • Crisis response: Chaplains respond to all traumas, cardiac arrest and death per Loyola protocols. Students gain hands-on crisis ministry experience in a Level 1 Trauma Center with high-acuity patients.
  • Education and reflection: The program emphasizes education and clinical care over administrative tasks, with assigned hours weekly for group reflection. Hours vary based on the length and type of CPE program selected.
  • Academic collaboration: CPE students engage in interdisciplinary rounds, and monthly ethics webinars through Loyola and Trinity Health.

CPE Application

(No application fee required)

Apply

Email application to: CPELOYOLA@lumc.edu and Narjess.kardan@luhs.org.

Tel: 708-216-3585

Download ACPE membership information, along with additional forms, applications, and details about Clinical Pastoral Education programs at acpe.edu.

What Loyola Medicine CPE programs are offered?

The CPE summer internship is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week program during the summer (except summer 2026). This program is designed primarily for graduate students, including those pursuing a Master of Divinity, who are required to complete one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education as an essential part of their degree. 

Each week of the intensive CPE summer unit includes 25 to 30 hours of direct chaplain ministry in a clinical setting and 10 to 15 hours of educational seminars. Group learning involves verbatim presentations, story theology, didactic classes and open seminars, complimented by weekly individual supervision. Students also participate in evening and weekend rotations as part of their clinical experience.

Admission criteria

  • Bachelor’s degree required (exceptions only made by recommendation of the CPE program manager).

Application

Tuition

  • $100 non-refundable deposit toward tuition required upon acceptance
  • $600 per unit
  • $500 per unit for returning students

The CPE part-time internship is offered in February and September of each year. It is designed for Level IA, IB, IIA, and IIB students and features a curriculum tailored to support individual learning goals. 

Each week includes 18 to 20 hours of direct chaplain ministry in a clinical setting and 8 hours of educational seminars. Group learning involves verbatim presentations, group Interpersonal relationship, didactic classes and open seminars, complimented by weekly individual supervision. Students also participate in weekend rotations as part of their clinical experience.

Admission criteria

  • Bachelor’s degree required (exceptions only made by recommendation of the CPE program manager).

Application

Tuition

  • $100 non-refundable deposit toward tuition required upon acceptance
  • $600 per unit
  • $500 per unit for returning students

For people who are working or are not available for a full-time internship or residency, Loyola offers an extended unit during the academic year. It is designed for Level IA, IB, IIA and IIB students and features a curriculum tailored to support individual learning goals. The program requires a commitment of 15 to 20 hours per week over a period of 6 to 7 months beginning mid-February and ending Mid-August.

Admission criteria

  • Bachelor’s degree required (exceptions only made by recommendation of the CPE program manager).

Application

Tuition:

  • $100 non-refundable deposit toward tuition required upon acceptance
  • $600 per unit
  • $500 per unit for returning students

Where does CPE training take place? 

Classes and clinical care training are primarily held at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois. Students gain experience across a wide range of speciality care areas, including: 

  • Cardiology, with a heart transplant unit.
  • Oncology, with a bone marrow transplant unit and a large outpatient cancer center.
  • ER/trauma, with a specialty burn unit.
  • Women’s and children’s health, including a 50-bed neonatal unit.
  • Neurology and neurosurgery, with an inpatient rehabilitation unit.
  • General medicine, with a variety of organ transplant services. 

Chaplain preceptors within these settings both model and aide the student chaplains in their clinical experiences.


Accreditation Summary

Loyola's CPE program has been accredited by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) since 1974. After completing four units of ACPE, students can apply for professional certification from:

Contact Us

For more information about Loyola’s Clinical Pastoral Education program, call 708-216-3585.