St. Joseph’s/Candler hosts Clinical Pastoral Education training for those interested in chaplaincy
We are now accepting applications for fall 2026 and beyond
At St. Joseph’s/Candler, our Pastoral Care department plays a vital role in patient care. By offering a listening ear and compassionate guidance, our chaplains can help patients feel safe in exploring their feelings and deepest concerns.
Recognizing the powerful part chaplains play in healthcare, St. Joseph’s/Candler is invested in training the next generation of spiritual caregivers.
That’s why St. Joseph’s/Candler is a site for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), which is a training program for those who wish to become professional chaplains or those looking to enhance their ministry to others in the community, such as religious leaders, counselors or seminarians. We are also a great option for individuals requiring a unit of CPE for ordination.
About our CPE program
Rooted in a healthcare setting, CPE training is rooted in spiritual and pastoral counseling traditions and clinical practice. As interns, the CPE students receive training that prepares them for a variety of pastoral care environments, such as hospitals, prisons, hospice – or wherever emotional and/or spiritual support is given.
St. Joseph’s/Candler offers two, 20-week units each year – one in the fall and one in the winter/spring. Each unit is 400 hours long, as required by ACPE - the Standard for Spiritual Care & Education, the primary accrediting agency for CPE programs since 1967.
Participants complete 100 hours of educational instruction online with our board-certified CPE education partners. The remaining 300 hours are fulfilled through hands-on clinical practice at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Candler Hospital over the 20-week period.
St. Joseph’s/Candler’s CPE program has one overall site mentor, four preceptors (hands-on supervisors) and several staff chaplains to assist in this process.
Why choose SJ/C for your CPE training
St. Joseph’s/Candler prides itself on our high-impact technology, breakthrough treatments and exceptional specialists and healthcare providers. But more so, it’s our faith-based, holistic approach to healing that makes us the region’s premier health provider.
In fact, we are the region’s only faith-based, locally led, not-for-profit health system.
At the heart of St. Joseph’s/Candler is our steadfast commitment to our community, which is reflected through our Mission Statement: Rooted in God’s love, we treat illness and promote wellness for all people.
This Foundation is built upon our faith-based roots (which go back to 1875, when St. Joseph’s Hospital was founded, and 1804, when Candler Hospital was founded) and serves as a beacon of hope and healing for all who seek our care.
On a typical day, CPE interns visit with patients and families at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Candler Hospital and also minister to staff. As they encounter others, they offer spiritual and emotional support, active listening, presence and prayer.
Part of the intern’s day also includes online learning, as well as lectures or presentations by CPE educators.
Each intern also meets regularly with their preceptor for personalized feedback, guidance and reflection on their learning goals and clinical experiences.
Serving as a clinical site for CPE is another way that St. Joseph’s/Candler continues to contribute to professional development and education within the medical and healthcare field.
Contact Us
To learn more about the St. Joseph’s/Candler CPE training program, please contact the CPE Program Manager at thompsoden@sjchs.org or call the CPE secretary at 912-819-2626. Ready to apply? Fill out our contact form and someone will be in touch.