- Option 1 is a full-time internship (Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) offered during the summer for 11 weeks.
- Option 2 is a part-time externship offered in the fall as well in the winter/springtime for 18 weeks. The externship meets for one half day per week of education time as well as an additional 10-12 of clinical time the rest week. The education time is a set time that the students must attend in order to earn the necessary requirements of one unit of CPE. The clinical hours are scheduled collaboratively around the student's own schedule and needs of the hospital.
In addition to the clinical hours and education time, both the summer interns and the externs participate in our on-duty call schedule. The on-duty student serves as the only chaplain on site for the hospital system through the night and will respond to a variety of request for spiritual support.
Please note, most extended unit students are surprised by the reality of how much work is required. The class time is only a quarter of the total time required to earn one unit. CPE requires a certain amount of reading. Patient visits are written up in detailed verbatim form that demands considerable reflection and process notes about ministry and learning are also required. Students can expect to spend an additional 2-3 hours a week in reflection and preparation for class time. The curriculum is designed to engage personal pastoral and professional issues in a multi-cultural and interdisciplinary environment. Our faculty is made up of two CPE supervisors along with two clinical managers and five staff chaplains.
Minimum requirements for admission are a high school degree (or GED) and authorization by a religious body to provide a ministry of spiritual care under supervision.
To apply, applicants must complete the standard ACPE application . Once all of the materials and the application fee ($35) are received, qualified applicants will be interviewed by ACPE Educators.
Tuition for the internship program is $400 per unit and is required at the beginning of each unit. Applications and further inquiries can be made to:
Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital
Pastoral Care Department
2095 Henry Tecklenburg Dr.
Charleston, SC 29414
Phone: (843) 402-2856
Fax: (843) 402-2849
Email: Jacqueline.Varner@rsfh.com
Accredited by ACPE (The Standard for Spiritual Care & Education) which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education