The Department of Pastoral Care and Education at Bronson Methodist Hospital offers Level I and Level II Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), including a summer internship (June to August), a nine-to 12-month residency, an extended parish-based program and a supervisor in training (SIT) program. The internship, residency, and SIT programs require 40 hours per week, plus participation in the on-call rotation. These programs are accredited by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE)

Bronson's CPE program curriculum includes systems theory and its application in ministry, sexuality and gender issues in ministry, narrative theology, "grace mapping" and seminars devoted to images of ministry in contemporary film and fiction. During case conferences, written verbatim accounts of students' pastoral care work are reviewed and an interdisciplinary case consultant is frequently utilized. Other seminars include didactics, theological reflections, interpersonal group time and individual supervision. Academic courses are credited with a pass/fail grade. The written work required each week includes verbatim accounts of encountered pastoral care and different assignments related to the current curriculum for each unit. While many traditional structures of CPE are utilized, creative students who wish to build their own educational experience are valued at Bronson. A collegial community with students is fostered, where play is taken seriously and serious work can be playful.

Clinical Pastoral Education values diversity. The more we are diverse the more we have to learn from one another. We seek students who can be "living human documents" to one another. To that end, we seek students with diversity in race, gender, age, faith group, national origin and sexual orientation.

Bronson CPE Programs

Summer Internship Program

• 11 weeks
• Participation in on-call rotation required
• Tuition: $500
• Stipend: $1,200

Extended Parish-Based Program

• September through April
• Group meets one full day every other week
• Tuition: $1,000
• 20 hours of work required in your parish or other ministry setting per week

Residency Program

• Begins in September
• Nine- and 12-month programs available
• Tuition: $500 per unit
• Stipend: $24,000, plus full medical health insurance and paid time off

To apply for a CPE program at Bronson Methodist Hospital, please fill out an application form and follow the detailed instructions at the beginning of the form.

Contact Info
For more information, contact:

Rev. Bob Persenaire
Pastoral Care Dept. Box 48
Bronson Methodist Hospital
601 John Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 341-6171
persenar@bronsonhg.org

Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
1549 Clairmont Rd. Suite 103
Decatur, GA 30033
(404) 320-1472