Graduate Certificate in Level I Clinical Pastoral Education Integrating Christology and Chaplaincy
Pursue Clinical Ministry Training Through the Graduate Certificate in Level I Clinical Pastoral Education
Liberty University’s Graduate Certificate in Level I Clinical Pastoral Education is designed to help you develop the spiritual, emotional, and interpersonal tools needed for effective ministry in professional and institutional settings. Rooted in a Christ-centered framework, this program introduces you to Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) – an interfaith model of experiential learning that brings ministry leaders into supervised encounters with people in crisis. Whether your ministry setting involves hospitals, correctional facilities, the military, or other chaplaincy environments, this certificate can help you explore how to provide meaningful spiritual care.
Liberty’s program aims to meet national standards for CPE training. Each course awards 1 unit of CPE and includes both academic study and hours of clinical ministry in an approved setting. By blending theological study with practical application through residential and online synchronous intensive formats, this certificate can support your growth in areas such as pastoral identity, spiritual assessment, and interpersonal ministry – all while equipping you for further educational or vocational development.
Your officially conferred certificate name will be Graduate Certificate in Level I Clinical Pastoral Education.
*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026
What Sets Us Apart?
- Private Nonprofit University
- 600+ Online Degrees
- No Standardized Testing for Admission
- Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
- Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree
Why Choose Liberty’s Level I Clinical Pastoral Education Program Online?
Liberty University is uniquely positioned to offer Clinical Pastoral Education credits through the Graduate Certificate in Level I Clinical Pastoral Education. We’re committed to providing Christ-centered, high-quality training that opens the door to a robust, hands-on learning experience grounded in professional expectations. What sets Liberty’s program apart is our intentional integration of academic excellence, clinical rigor, and spiritual formation within a supportive Christian environment. You can learn from experienced faculty who combine theological scholarship with real-world ministry insight, helping you grow both personally and professionally.
Each course allows you to engage with your instructors and peers while serving in a practical ministry context. Liberty’s commitment to academic integrity, spiritual development, and flexible learning formats makes this program a strong option if you’re seeking to begin or continue your journey in pastoral care.
What Will You Study in Our Graduate Certificate in Level I Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Program?
In this program, you’ll engage in a combination of academic coursework, supervised clinical ministry, and group reflection. Each course includes practical ministry training in an approved setting – such as a hospital, prison, hospice, or military base – where you can apply what you’re learning in real time. These experiences are supported by class discussions, case presentations, and peer feedback sessions that encourage you to reflect critically on your pastoral identity, interpersonal style, and ministry effectiveness.
You’ll also explore how to integrate theological and psychological insights into your approach to spiritual care. Core topics include spiritual assessment, ministry ethics, cultural sensitivity, and interprofessional collaboration. Through guided theological reflection and supervision, you’ll work toward building the awareness and empathy essential to pastoral care. By the end of the program, you’ll have completed 2 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), a recognized milestone that can support your continued path toward chaplaincy or other ministry roles.
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Tuition & Aid
At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.
| Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time | $410/Credit |
|---|---|
| Military Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time | $290/Credit |
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
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Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $290 per credit hour for part-time graduate and postgraduate divinity courses
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
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- What Will You Study?
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