Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc., Accreditation Commission ACPE

Overview

The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc., Accreditation Commission is the primary programmatic accreditor for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in the United States. Chartered in 1967 as part of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), the Commission ensures that CPE centres and certified educators meet the highest standards for experiential spiritual care training. According to uniRank, ACPE (and by extension its Accreditation Commission) is a not‑for‑profit organization that accredits over 350 CPE programs across more than 300 centres and has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for more than 55 years.

1. Historical and Legal Framework

The Accreditation Commission was established in 1967 following the merger of multiple regional CPE accrediting bodies to form a unified national standard. ACPE itself traces its roots to clinical training initiatives in the early 20th century, but its formal accrediting structure emerged in the late 1960s. It operates under the statutory committee structure defined in ACPE’s bylaws and governance manual. As a programmatic accreditor, the Commission was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for CPE Level I/II and Certified Educator programs; in late 2024 the organization paused its renewal process but maintains its status as a programmatic accreditor pending future recognition efforts.

2. Mission, Vision and Objectives

Mission: To uphold the integrity and quality of Clinical Pastoral Education training by implementing and enforcing ACPE’s accredited standards.

Vision: That all completed CPE units support learners in becoming culturally sensitive, professionally competent spiritual care providers who integrate theology and behavioral sciences.

Objectives:

• Execute accreditation decisions for CPE centres, clusters and systems in accordance with current standards.
• Review and update accreditation procedures and manuals in collaboration with the ACPE Board.
• Ensure the involvement of a diverse membership (educators, practitioners, public) in evaluation processes.
• Protect public trust in CPE by enforcing compliance with ethical and educational benchmarks.
• Advocate for recognition and support of accredited programs from government and healthcare systems.

3. Governance, Structure and Independence

The Accreditation Commission comprises fifteen members: a Chair, Chair‑Elect, eleven Certified Educators, one pastoral care practitioner and one public member. Members and officers are elected annually by the full ACPE membership, through nominations by the Leadership Development Committee and affiliated regional bodies. The Commission operates independently of institutional pressure; its actions are governed by ACPE’s Governance Manual and final decisions on accreditation rest solely with the Commission rather than outside stakeholders.

4. Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

The Commission annually reviews portfolios from accredited programs and conducts comprehensive site visits every six years to re‑assess compliance. Accredited centres must meet ACPE’s Standards & Outcomes, which include criteria such as qualified faculty, learner outcomes, diversity policies, student support and ethical conduct. Centres that satisfy the standards receive accreditation, which serves as a credential for students and educators seeking board certification and eligibility for facilities such as U.S. Medicare passthrough funding.

5. International Cooperation and Network Memberships

The Accreditation Commission does not belong to a global regulatory network, but ACPE itself has reciprocity agreements with related organizations to enhance cross-border recognition. These include the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), the National Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC), the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC/ACSS) and Norway’s NCPE. Such collaborations allow the transfer of units and educator credentials across these organizations, ensuring international quality alignment in spiritual care training.

6. Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

Today, the Commission continues to accredit over 300 CPE centres serving hospitals, seminaries, prisons and community agencies—ensuring spiritual care education remains integrated within broader educational and healthcare sectors. The Commission led a 2025 initiative to redesign accreditation models, poised to roll out new frameworks at the Fall Leadership Meeting. Its decisions influence chaplaincy credentials, theological seminary partnerships and federal funding eligibility, reinforcing the centrality of CPE in shaping competent spiritual care leaders.

7. Summary

The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc., Accreditation Commission is a vital nonprofit accrediting body overseeing high‑quality training for spiritual care providers in the United States. Through its structured governance, rigorous accreditation process and ongoing quality oversight, the Commission sustains the educational standards necessary for professional chaplaincy and pastoral ministry. Despite recent shifts in federal recognition status, it remains a trusted authority in spiritual care education.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the ACPE Accreditation Commission?
  It is the independent accrediting body within ACPE responsible for reviewing and approving Clinical Pastoral Education programs and centres.
• What is Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)?
  CPE is experiential, interfaith spiritual care education delivered in settings such as hospitals, prisons and community agencies, designed to develop pastoral competence through supervised practice and reflection.
• Is ACPE accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education?
  ACPE held U.S. Department of Education recognition as a programmatic accreditor for more than 55 years and continues to function in that capacity pending renewal.
• How many programs are accredited by ACPE?
  Over 300 registered CPE programs at more than 300 centres across North America—according to media and uniRank reporting.
• How does an institution earn accreditation?
  Institutions must submit a portfolio, host a site visit, meet educator certification criteria and maintain annual review with the Accreditation Commission.
• Can CPE be taken online?
  Some ACPE centres offer distance learning or hybrid formats, typically via video conferencing; availability varies by centre.
• Does the Commission certify chaplains?
  No—only ACPE Accredited Educators offer CPE units; chaplain certification is conferred by other bodies like APC, NACCor NAJC and may require ACPE unit completion.
• How can I file a complaint about a CPE centre?
  Complaints should first be attempted at the local centre and if unresolved, formally submitted to the ACPE Accreditation Commission for review.

Organization Name

Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc., Accreditation Commission

Acronym

ACPE

Year of Establishment

1/01/1967

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

U.S. Department of Education (USDE)

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

350

Address

55 Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard, Suite 835
Atlanta
30308 Georgia United States

Phone

+1 (404) 320 1472

Fax

+1 (404) 320 0849

n.a.

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