Program Overview
Grow Your Skills in Spiritual Care
Mercy Health — Lourdes Hospital offers accredited Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) programs designed to prepare individuals for professional spiritual care in health care settings. Our programs provide hands-on experience, reflective learning, and mentorship in a supportive environment.
What is CPE?
Clinical pastoral education is an adult form of education that uses the action-reflection-action method of learning promoted by ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care and Education. CPE nurtures individuals’ personal, professional and spiritual growth by assisting students to develop a sense of self, interpersonal and cultural awareness and spiritual care skills. Also, CPE invites students to enhance their theological and philosophical perspectives, as well as their crisis, ethics and behavioral sciences theories applied to caregiving relationships.
Who should enroll?
Clinical pastoral education students come from diverse backgrounds: e.g., spiritual/religious leaders, seminarians and lay people from various faith traditions and spiritualities. Given the many benefits of CPE, individuals who work with patients, parishioners and/or clients enroll in this form of education to advance their personal/professional skills and careers.
Why CPE?
Come reflect on your personal spiritual journey and professional career. Receive academic credit through your school. Gain professional health care experience and meet your goals.
CPE helps students discern their ministerial calling and professional career, and some seminaries grant academic credit to students who complete a unit of CPE. In addition, CPE enhances students’ and ministers’ self awareness, cultural competence, listening and interpersonal skills. It also provides students with professional health care experience and opportunities to pursue various personal, professional, and spiritual goals.
Where is this program?
This Mercy Health Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Program is located at Lourdes Hospital with CPE classes online under Bon Secours - St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, VA. Clinical placement (hands on training and experience) will be completed at Lourdes Hospital, Paducah, KY, working with our Spiritual Health Department.
Program Options and Calendar
| CPE Unit Type | Start Date | End Date | Duration |
| Online CPE Summer Program | May | August | 12 weeks |
| Online CPE Extended Unit | October | March | 18-20 weeks |
We recruit year-round. Applying early improves your chances of securing one of the limited spots. For more information, call (270) 444-2683 or contact Sejana Yoo, MDiv, MS, APC-BCC at syoo@mercy.com to discuss your interest and questions.
How to Apply
- Download the CPE application and email (preferred method) your completed application and essays to:
Sejana Yoo - syoo@mercy.com or mail your application to:
Spiritual Care Office – CPE
Mercy Health — Lourdes Hospital
1530 Lone Oak Rd, Paducah, KY 42003
Download the Application (PDF) - Pay your application fee online:
The CPE application fee is payable through Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital which is the accredited CPE Center. Applicants must use the “CPE – St. Mary’s Hospital (Richmond) – Application Fee,” and the other CPE – St. Mary’s Hospital options to pay down payments and fees.
Pay here.
Fees and Tuition
- $50 non-refundable application fee (submit with application)
- $100 down payment to hold your spot (applied toward tuition)
- $600 tuition for Extended Unit and Hybrid Summer Internship (payment plans available)
Financial concerns? Contact Sejana Yoo - syoo@mercy.com Current Mercy Health associates may be eligible for benefits.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply, you must:
- Complete an ACPE application
- Participate in an admission interview
- Have a high school diploma/GED or ordination/commission by a recognized spiritual authority
- Complete hospital onboarding
- Sign a Use of Clinical Materials Consent Form
We value diversity and consider candidates with nontraditional paths. Contact us to discuss your unique situation.
Accreditation Status
ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care and Education ACPE, Inc., fully accredits Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Program for CPE Levels 1A-2B and CEC training. Lourdes Hospital CPE falls under this ACPE CPE program.
Learn more about ACPE's CPE programs.
Why Choose Mercy Health — Lourdes Hospital?
- Completed units of CPE at Lourdes Hospital are Accredited by ACPE. The Standard for Spiritual Care and Education
- ACPE Certified Educator
- Experienced faculty and mentors
- Supportive, inclusive learning environment
- Opportunities for professional growth in spiritual care