By Aaliyah Butler
The Howard University School of Divinity is excited to announce the launch of its Clinical Pastoral Education Program in Fall 2022. The HUSD CPE program is fully accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education and will provide Level I and Level II programming.
The focus of CPE training is to prepare leaders to effectively serve persons in a variety of pastoral care settings, including: hospitals, hospice, prisons, universities, and corporate workplaces. Employing clinical methods in diverse settings, the HUSD CPE program will enable the necessary pastoral formation, pastoral competence and pastoral reflection to provide quality pastoral care in clinical and non-clinical settings. CPE instruction includes hands-on-ministry at a designated site; student participation in weekly individual and group reflection on pastoral ministry with a supervisor; as well as study of theoretical material from theology, behavioral sciences, and pastoral care. CPE preparation integrates theological understanding and knowledge of behavioral science into pastoral functioning.
A national advisory group of pastors, chaplains, and clinicians, along with Barbara Fears, assistant professor of religious education, and Michael Washington (degree), certified CPE educator, worked together diligently for two years to meet the accrediting requirements of a recognized agency of the U.S. Department of Education. Washington will facilitate the inaugural class during the 2022-2023 academic year. The HUSD CPE program is unique in its explicit focus on cultural competency, racial justice, and clinical work outside of medical settings. The program is designed to be affordable for any minister or lay leader with a MDiv degree who desires a practical and caring Clinical Pastoral Education Program.
