Proudly bringing a spiritual perspective for healing ​ to staff, patients, and their families since 1984.

ACPE-CPE at the ECS Spiritual Care & Education Center is a long-established and respected program that is housed in  St. Mark's Hospital, an HCA Healthcare facility located in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Education Center is owned by Episcopal Community Services (ECS), a nonprofit charitable organization whose compassionate approach broadly ​touches people where they live and where their needs are greatest.

What is Clinical Pastoral Education?

CPE is a method of learning spiritual care practice under supervision. It is a process model of education, centered on students’ individual needs and goals that are compatible with program objectives and outcomes. CPE integrates professional education for spiritual care with hands on experience in a placement setting. It is structured to provide students with a supervised experience while providing spiritual care. CPE uses the actual experience of spiritual care encounters as the focus of reflection with the aim of personal and professional development.

CPE Components:

  • Relational learning

  • Experiential learning

  • Collaborative learning

  • Adult-learner centered

  • Reflection focused

  • Process oriented

  • Group process

CPE provides an opportunity for:

  • Reflection in a peer group setting on encounters from the actual practice of spiritual care.

  • Engagement of intense relationships that challenges and promotes new awareness of self and others.

  • Exploring how who one is as a person affects one’s spiritual care practice.

  • Gaining new insights and understandings about human relations.

  • Reflection on oneself as a person and chaplain in relationship to persons in crisis.

  • Increasing competence in spiritual care skills and knowledge of behavioral sciences.

  • Reflecting on complex life situations from diverse theological and multicultural viewpoints.

  • Reflection that facilitates integration of theology/philosophy into congruent life’s experiences and spiritual care practices.

  • Identity formation as a person and spiritual care professional

  • Discernment, self-care practices, and renewal 

About Us

At the ECS Spiritual Care & Education Center we have a dedicated team of passionate educators and chaplain staff who are present to help guide students through their chaplain training and education.

We are focused on providing a supportive learning environment through trauma informed culture and education; as well as, specifically designed curriculum components that are focused on individual learning needs.

We strive to continually improve our program and optimize the learning experience for all our students through ongoing programmatic review and solicitation of feedback from our students.

Our program is growing over the past 3 years we have increased our single units from 2-3 single units a year to 4-6 single units a year; thereby providing more flexible opportunities for students needing part-time education. We have also been able to expand our reach with a growing number of clinical placement sites spanning from Utah County to Weber County.

Our CPE Program lives out our values by providing a learning experience that honors students’ uniqueness and presumes incredible potential. We build a caring community where we hope students feel seen, heard, and known.

Passion: We authentically love what we do and those we serve.

Dignity: We connect with each person aware of their inherent worth and incredible potential.

Compassion: We meet amid suffering and care deeply for the wellbeing of others.

Justice: We respect and empower each other and those we serve to make a difference.

Community: We collaborate in small groups to transform ourselves and better connect with others.

Excellence: We work with earnest devotion to inspire and deliver outstanding care and education.

Faculty

  • ACPE Certified Educator; ACPE National Faculty

    As the ECS Director of Education & CPE, Rev. Chollet is responsible for the Center’s management, programs, accreditation, certified educators, Certified Educator Candidates (CECs), CPE students, staff chaplains continuing education, and ongoing program development. 

    Rev. Chollet has a Doctor of Ministry from Eden Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity equivalent from her studies at Faculdade Luterana de Teologia in Brazil, and post-graduate work in Contemporary Theology, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Psychology Formation Practicum in Clinical Psychology. She is an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church. Recognized nationally as a leader in her field, Mari has served in various leadership positions including the ACPE Board of Directors, the ACPE Accreditation and Certification Commissions and Committees. She is an ACPE National Faculty and Theory Integration Mentor and has been working with Certified Educator Candidates for nearly two decades. Prior to her June 2021 move to Salt Lake City, she was the Associate Director for Spiritual Care and ACPE Educator at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, Missouri.

    Rev. Chollet focuses on providing high quality education with care, compassion, professional excellence, and respect for self, peers, colleagues, and care receivers. Her main goal as a director and educator is connection with authenticity and faithfulness keeping people company through life’s challenges and joys both in CPE and spiritual care relationships. She nourishes committed collaboration in learning while building a life-affirming community where depth of care is cultivated in each relationship.

  • The Rev. Andy Stubblefield has been working in the world of professional chaplaincy for the better part of ten years. With experience in hospice, bereavement care, and hospital chaplaincy, he has had the opportunity to provide spiritual care in diverse settings. Andy has lived and taught in various cultural environments, including the United States, the Middle East, and in the Peace Corps in Ukraine. He received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Mississippi College and a Master of Divinity from George W. Truett Theological Seminary. He is ordained and endorsed through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. He did his CPE training in Pensacola, FL before moving to Salt Lake City where he accepted a position as Certified Educator with the ECS Spiritual Care & CPE Education Center, beginning in September 2022. Andy is passionate about journeying with aspiring chaplains and clergy to deepen their understanding of their identity as spiritual caregivers and develop their skills as clinically trained health care professionals.

Clinical Pastoral Education Programs

Each unit of CPE consists of at least 400 hours, which include educational and clinical hours. 
ACPE Levels offered: Level IA, Level IB, Level IIA, and Level IIB

Extended Internship

Our single internship units are a great starting point for students curious about chaplaincy and Clinical Pastoral Education. The flexibility of the Extended Program is ideal for those needing a part-time program.

  • The Extended Units are 6 months long. The Fall Units run from September to late February. The Spring Units run from March to late August.

  • CPE Students experience on-the-ground chaplain experience in the hospital with a flexible of 10-15 hours a week schedule.

  • CPE class with a Certified Educator and peer group meets once a week for 8 hours. Hybrid online option periodically available.

  • Tuition for the first Extended Unit is $800. Any subsequent Units are $600 each.

Residency

The Residency Program is an exciting option for those who have already completed a single unit, have an MDiv or equivalent, and who are interested in deepening their learning experience in a full-time, year long, focused program.

  • The Residency Program is a full-time, year long program that runs from late August to late August and includes 3 units of CPE. CPE Class with the Certified Educator and peer group meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 8 hours.

    Residents are able to develop their chaplaincy skills with 3 full days of in-person clinical experience with regular evening, weekend, and overnight on-call shifts.

  • Year 1 and 2 Residency Programs available.

    Second year Residents have an opportunity to focus on leadership and working towards Board Certification.

  • Residency Stipend:

    • Year 1: $40,000

    • Year 2: $44,000

    Benefits include:

    • Full family medical and dental insurance

    • 5% employer provided retirement contributions with an optional additional match up to 4%

    • $3,500 one-time, taxable Relocation Aid for those moving from out of state

    • Year 1 Tuition: $600 per unit (3 units per year)

    • Year 2 Tuition: $400 per unit (3 units per year)

Certified Educator Program

This is a rigorous 2-to-3-year program for qualified individuals interested in becoming ACPE Certified Educators. Openings for Certified Education Students (CES) happens occasionally.

CES applicants need to have met (or be able to meet within a reasonable time frame) the following prerequisites:

  • Ordination/religious certification by an ecclesiastical body or other ACPE accepted organization

  • Denominational/faith/spiritual group endorsement to formation in the CES program

  • Graduation from an accredited seminary, rabbinic or divinity school, and a M.Div. degree or M.Div. equivalency as confirmed by an ACPE certification committee.

  • Successful completion of Level I CPE and distinguished progress addressing Level II outcomes, usually at least 4 units of Level II CPE

  • Successful pastoral experience in which the applicant demonstrated ability to function pastorally. It is preferred that one’s pastoral experience be in both an institutional and congregational context

  • Demonstrate familiarity with the Spiritual Care Collaborative Common Standards for Professional Chaplaincy

  • Participate in an admission interview on site and later with a committee of ACPE and ECS CPE faculty members

How to Apply

The CPE program welcomes students from diverse backgrounds, religious traditions, denominations, cultures, and nationalities to prepare them to serve as spiritual care professionals.

Students preparing for spiritual care professions may enroll in CPE as a part of a course of study for theological degree, ordination requirements, or continuing education. Some may enroll in CPE to facilitate their process of vocational discernment. Others, already experienced in spiritual care in other helping professions, may engage in CPE to enhance their spiritual effectiveness. Those with a vocation to Spiritual Care will wish to complete a minimum of four units of CPE as a prerequisite to certification as a professional chaplain. Those interested in spiritual care leadership roles and seeking certification as CPE Educators are encouraged to consider a two-year residency program for more comprehensive and focused learning.

Application Fees: No application or interview fee.

Applicant Deadlines and Information

 Apply early! Peer group size is small, and positions are filled quickly.  All applications are reviewed, and interviews scheduled for qualified applicants in an ongoing basis. Equal consideration is given to all applications received until the positions are full.
Tip: A recommended length for application responses are about 5-7 pages, single spaced, for Extended Unit applications and about 6-8 pages, single spaced, for Residency applications. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions about the application process. 

Submit applications to: Sinnamon.Wolfe@ECSUtah.org

Application Requirements:

Extended Internship Program

  • Complete the ACPE CPE program application form and materials

  • Complete an admission’s interview with a CPE Certified Educator to assess readiness for CPE

  • Submit signed copies of all previous CPE student and educator unit evaluations (if applicable)

  • Have a college degree, theological education, or ordination by a ecclesiastical/spiritual organization

  • Be ordained and/or endorsed by a faith community or commissioned to function in ministry by an appropriate religious authority (preferred)

  • Demonstrate ability to learn from experience

  • Demonstrate ability to work in high stress and emotional conflict situations

Residency Program

  • Complete the ACPE CPE program application form and materials

  • Complete an admission’s interview with a CPE Certified Educator and admissions committee

  • Complete at least one prior unit of ACPE CPE (preferred)

  • Submit signed copies of all previous CPE student and educator unit evaluations (if applicable)

  • Have a college degree, graduate theological education, or ordination by a ecclesiastical/spiritual organization or commission to function in spiritual care as determined by ACPE (graduate degrees, M.Div. or M.Div. equivalent preferred)

  • Demonstrate ability to learn from experience

  • Demonstrate ability to work in high stress and emotional conflict situations

Note: International students must provide proof of Green Card or Visa with their application. Our program does not have the resources to assist with this process. 

Admission Policies:

Non-Discrimination Policy
The ECS Spiritual Care & Education Center at St. Mark’s Hospital welcomes all persons and is committed through language and practice to cultivate an inclusive community. The Center admits students regardless of age, color, national or ethnic origins, familial composition, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, racial, ethnic, cultural and gender identities and expressions, religious affiliation, faith tradition, socio-economic status, and disability. Students have access to all the rights, privileges, and programs available to students. The CPE Center does not discriminate on the basis of any of these factors in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and scholarships, or other programs administered by the Center. The Center is committed to providing an environment where students, faculty, and staff can enjoy the full benefits of the above policy.

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