Clinical Pastoral Education Center of Pittsburgh
About CPE Center of Pittsburgh
Community-based Training and Education
CPE Center of Pittsburgh's trainings are unique in the Pittsburgh region by offering training that is:
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Community-based and individualized: Our programs are community-based rather than institution-based, meaning students are not required to do their internship hours in a healthcare setting like traditional CPE programs. Students can choose a setting that reflects their own sense of call and passion for ministry. Previous students (trained with our faculty in other settings) have worked in educational settings, homeless shelters, and correctional facilities.
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Virtual: All group sessions are held via Microsoft Teams, allowing students to join from any neighborhood in the Burgh or any location in the world with an Internet connection. Individual supervision can occur in person or virtually.
We are excited to launch our inaugural class in September, 2025!
The Clinical Pastoral Education Center of Pittsburgh offers high-quality, virtual, Clinical Pastoral Education. The Faculty at the CPE Center of Pittsburgh are credentialed by Clinical Pastoral Education International (CPEI). The Clinical Pastoral Education Center of Pittsburgh is an affiliate organization of CPEI. CPEI is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). DEAC is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education.
Training Available
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
CPE is interfaith training for seminarians, rabbinic students, clergy, and others interested in exploring the intersection of theology, psychology, and personal identity. CPE is required for people seeking certification as chaplains and can be beneficial for other professionals such as social workers, nurses, counselors, or physicians who want to incorporate spiritual care into their clinical practice. CPE includes a 300 hour internship and 100 hours of group training and individual supervision. Students who complete all 4 courses (CPE 100-400) will earn the Certificate in Clinical Pastoral Education and will be qualified to apply for certification as a Chaplain in CPEI.*
Supervisory Education Candidacy (SEC)
SEC prepares certified chaplains to supervise and train others as a CPE Supervisor/Educator in CPEI. SES students learn the skills necessary to guide others through the CPE process. Students who complete all 4 courses (SEC 600-900) will earn the Certificate in Supervisory Education and will be qualified to apply for certification as a Supervisor-Educator in CPEI.*
Specialized Trainings
Supervisors at the Clinical Pastoral Education Center of Pittsburgh have expertise in a variety of topics that they can bring to your organization.
Clinical Pastoral Education International's programs are designed to provide a reflective and relational learning environment in which students are expected to increase in self-awareness, be self-directed, and explore one's theological understanding as it applies and is integrated into their abilities to practice competent pastoral care and pastoral supervision.
Completing a course(s) or one of the Certificate Programs does not guarantee employment or credentialing as a Board-Certified Chaplain or a Supervisor-Educator. Additional requirements are included in CPEI's Credentialing Manual.
*CPEI coursework may meet some or all requirements for certification in other pastoral care cognate groups. Students interested in certification in organizations other than CPEI have the responsibility to verify which of their CPEI coursework will transfer.
Faculty
Rev. Bryan Bass-Riley is a Training Supervisor-Educator in CPEI and is the Director of the Clinical Pastoral Education Center of Pittsburgh. Bryan has masters degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary (Divinity) and Neumann University (Counseling). He has done additional graduate work in Counseling Education and Supervision at the University of the Cumberlands and earned a graduate certificate in Organizational Change and Leadership from Robert Morris University. Bryan is an ordained minister in the Progressive Christian Alliance and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania.
Rev. Dr. Cynthia McClung
Supervisory Education Candidate
Info Coming Soon!