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Association for Clinical Pastoral Education-The Numbers Game

The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education Failing Numbers
In its recent meeting with the Department of Education the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education reported that it had 254(1) accredited centers while claiming to have 350(2) accredited centers on the associations website. In the same vein the association’s website indicates there are about 600 CPE Supervisors(3) while reporting in its various newsletters that its active pool shrank from 588 to 536.

The ACPE is currently unable to fill positions in some “19 centers across the country and this does not take into account multi-supervisor Centers who might currently be short staffed.”

Notes:
(1) Transcript ACPE/DOE December 2006 Hearing:“Currently, this Commission accredits 254 centers along with their programs. Recognition bythe Secretary enables ACPE and its accredited centers and programs and/or students of theseprograms to participate in non-HEA programs, such as the International Exchange Visitors Program administered by the Department of State and the Veterans Educational Benefits Program, or the GI bill, administered by the Department of Veterans affairs.”

(2) http://www.acpe.edu/Among the 2,600 members that make up the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education are some 350 ACPE Accredited CPE Centers and about 600 ACPE certified faculty members (called CPE Supervisors). There are 113 Theological Schools Members and 23 Faith Groups and Agencies who are partners with ACPE in seeking to provide excellence in theological education. Other groups of ACPE members are Clinical Members (over 500), students, individuals, Retired Supervisors, retired members, and ACPE Networks.

(3) ACPE News of The North Central Region December 2006“ACPE statistics show that, as an organization, over the past six years we have seen our supervisor pool shrink from 588 to 536 while our retired supervisory membership has gone up from 217 t0 316. Retirements have out distanced new certifications by a 2:1 ratio. Given this reality, it is not surprising that there are 19 centers across the country currently without supervisors. And this does not take into account multi-supervisor Centers who might currently be short staffed.”

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