UK HealthCare Clinical Pastoral Education Admission Policy

The University of Kentucky is an Equal Opportunity Employer and thus maintains a nondiscriminatory policy that all individuals are treated fairly and with proper consideration. The policies of the Department of Pastoral Care function in accordance with nondiscriminatory practices as outlined by the University and in accordance with the Standards of ACPE. All interns, residents, and staff will be given fair and proper consideration without prejudice or reference to age, gender, race, disability, faith group, sexual orientation, or national origin. It will be the policy of the Department to promote cultural and religious diversity within its staff and educational groups.

ACPE training will be conducted within the ACPE Standards with consideration for Standards 101.1-101.6, which follow.

• 101.1: Affirms and respects the human dignity and individual worth of each person
• 101.2: Does not discriminate against anyone because of race, gender, age, faith group, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability
• 101.3: Respects the integrity and welfare of those served or supervised, refraining from disparagement and avoiding emotional, sexual, or any other kind of exploitation
• 101.4: Approaches the religious convictions of a person, group and/or CPE student with respect and sensitivity; avoids the imposition of her or his theology on those served or supervised
• 101.5: Respects confidentiality to the extent permitted by law, regulations or other applicable rules
• 101.6: Follow nationally established guidelines in the design of research involving human subjects and gain approval from a recognized institutional review board before conducting such research.

Interns are usually candidates who have had no prior CPE training and/or are taking a single unit or are part time students. Ministry at this level will focus on formation, personal and professional development as stated in the Standards of ACPE – Level I. Some students may take additional units of Level I or Level II CPE through internship program with provision of individualized learning goals and individualized sequential curriculum. CPE Clergy, seminary students, as well as laypersons involved in related fields (parish visitors, social workers, religious educators, marriage and family therapists, pastoral counselors, etc.) may apply to the internship program. All persons must be able to work and function at a master’s or graduate academic degree level.

Residents are candidates who have had at least one prior (successful) unit of ACPE training in an ACPE accredited center and must have completed a Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent. Denominational standing, recognition, (or endorsement) is preferred. Residents are accepted on a fulltime basis.  Residents begin on September 1.  On occasion, new employee orientation may necessitate a different start date and students will be informed of any changes in start dates. All contracts, which are through Graduate Medical Education, are for one year. Candidates would be admitted in time to begin formal training in the next available training unit. Candidates who have alternate employment in ministry, but meet all other requirements, may be accepted into the residency program (without stipend) if an acceptable contract can be agreed upon by both institutions.

Prior professional experience is preferred, but not required. Candidates who are accepted into the program will begin at Level I (unless the candidate has met with an ACPE certification committee for Level II) and will be required to meet an ACPE consultation committee near or at the end of the first unit of training. Candidates, who have met a consultation committee successfully prior to the residency, will be considered for Level II training. Under no conditions, will Level II credit be issued until the resident has successfully met with the consultation committee.

Application Process

Candidates for all programs are required to submit a Standard ACPE Application form and $25, non-refundable, application fee. Candidates may apply at any time during the year for programs that will occur within twelve months of their application.

Interns should apply a minimum of one and a half months ahead of their potential beginning time, though at least two months is preferable.

Residents should apply a minimum of four months ahead of their potential beginning time, though six to eight months is preferable.

Residents must complete the ACPE Standard Application Form, come for a full day of interviews, and upon tentative selection, complete the Graduate Medical Education process. Acceptance is contingent upon successfully completing the GME requirements in addition to the ACPE requirements.

If the center is unable to process the application, the application and application fee will be returned to the candidate minus the face sheet. If the application has been processed to any degree, the application fee will not be returned. Upon acceptance into the program, the application fee will be deducted from the total tuition costs.

Incomplete applications will be returned to the candidate, who will be requested to complete the application prior to scheduling an interview. Additional materials may be attached to the application, but not replace any components of the Standard Application form. In addition, applicants must complete the UK HealthCare on-line employment application process.

Admission Interview with a Qualified Interviewer

Candidates for admission to this center, will generally interview in person. For a single unit of training, when travel and distance costs are prohibitive, a videoconference interview may be considered. However, preference will be given to those candidates who interview in person. Candidates for the residency program MUST interview in person. All prior supervisory, personal, and consultation committee evaluations/reports may be made available to the interviewers for preview. References will be solicited for all candidates.

Meeting any Educational Requirements Established by the Center

Candidates will be expected to be moving toward ministry (pastoral care, counseling or a closely related field), and have the personal and professional maturity to participate in difficult patient care situations, function well in an interfaith environment, have an ability to work with people of all different cultures and lifestyles, and fully participate in the ACPE learning process. All candidates must be working and functioning at or above a master’s or graduate degree level. All candidates will be considered according to our Affirmative Action Policies and in conjunction with ACPE Standards.

Acceptance by the Center

Acceptance into the program will be based on, but not limited to, readiness for learning, motivation, background preparation for the program, educational and personal maturity, ability to work at a graduate level, good social and interpersonal skills, an ability to engage in personal reflection, adequate preparation of application materials, an ability to work in an interfaith environment and with persons from varied backgrounds, positive references (both formal and informal), be able to work individually and as a team player, preferably have formal standing with a recognized denomination, and to have a successful screening interview. Candidates will receive notification of their candidacy status within three weeks of the end of the screening interview schedule. Candidates will be chosen based on the best match for the center and the peer group. In cases where all is equal, students will be interviewed and considered on a first-come, first-served basis.

At the time of acceptance, all students will receive a copy of the Annual Notice which outlines the center’s commitment to following the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Reviewed by:
Rev. R. Stephen Summers, BCC, UK HealthCare Director of Pastoral Care Services
Rev. Dr. Cam Holzer, BCC, ACPE CE, UK HealthCare Clinical Pastoral Educator
September 16, 2024