Graduate Certificate in Level I Clinical Pastoral Education
Build the Foundation for a Life of Pastoral Service with Liberty’s Graduate Certificate in CPE
Whether you’re just beginning your work in chaplaincy or looking to revisit and reinforce your foundation, Liberty University’s Graduate Certificate in Level I Clinical Pastoral Education offers a fresh and biblically grounded approach to professional development in pastoral care. This residential program is ideal for ministry professionals who want to engage in continuing education that reflects current best practices in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) while remaining firmly rooted in Scripture.
Through supervised group work, interpersonal development, and real-world application, you can sharpen your understanding of offering compassionate, Christ-centered care in hospitals, correctional facilities, hospice programs, and other pluralistic environments. This certificate isn’t just a starting point; it’s also a valuable step forward for chaplains and ministry leaders who want to maintain relevance, renew their calling, and apply the latest approaches to spiritual care in today’s world.
Pursue Your Degree with Confidence
- Liberty University has regional accreditation from SACSCOC, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- Our John W. Rawlings School of Divinity is one of the world’s largest accredited schools for religious studies and ministerial training.
- Study under professors who are published and have advanced degrees in their field.
What Will You Study?
- Foundational principles of Clinical Pastoral Education from a biblical worldview
- Group and interpersonal development practices for ministry
- Supervised experiences in real-world chaplaincy settings
- Strategies for delivering spiritual care in pluralistic and secular environments
- Theological reflection and self-assessment within a clinical context
Potential Career Options for Graduates of the CPE Certificate – Level I
- Associate chaplain
- Chaplain assistant
- Chaplain resident
- Hospice chaplain*
- Hospital chaplain*
- Pastor
- Spiritual care coordinator
*Additional CPE units and certification may be required for this role.
Facilities and Resources Available to Students in the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Pastoral Education – Level I
- Study under experienced faculty who are not only ministry practitioners but who also hold advanced degrees and contribute scholarly work in the field of pastoral care and chaplaincy. You can be equipped through instruction grounded in the authority of Scripture and evangelical theology.
- Take advantage of learning spaces in Liberty’s 17-story Freedom Tower, home to immersive and interactive classrooms – including a state-of-the-art homiletics teaching lab and teleconferencing capabilities for ministry collaboration.
- Explore historic ministry artifacts in the Freedom Tower’s Scriptorium, which houses a rare collection of books and Bibles valued at over $1 million, generously donated by the Rawlings family.
- Study at a university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), giving your continuing education lasting value and academic credibility.
Admission Requirements for Our CPE Graduate Certificate
Every application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and all applicants must submit the following documents and meet the minimum requirements for admission:
- Admission application
- Official transcripts showing a regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.0 GPA for admission in good standing
- John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Questionnaire
- Pastoral recommender contact information
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Credit Hours
Available On Campus
Class Type
Residential
Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 50% of the certificate total
Next Start Date
Jan 19, 2026
Accreditation
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC
