Program Overview

School of Divinity Launches Clinical Pastoral Education Program

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.

Program Overview

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
• 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
• study of theoretical material from theology, behavioral sciences, and pastoral care

CPE preparation integrates theological understanding and knowledge of behavioral science into pastoral functioning.

Program Development

A national advisory group of pastors, chaplains, and clinicians, along with Barbara Fears, assistant professor of religious education, and Michael Washington, 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 academic year.

Program Unique Features

The HUSD CPE program is unique in its explicit focus on:

• cultural competency
• racial justice
• 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.

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 14 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows, and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States.