Our Lady of the Lake Health’s Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program is interfaith professional education for ministry. It brings theological students and ministers of all faiths (pastors, rabbis, Imams, and others) into supervised encounters with persons in crisis. Out of an intense involvement with persons in need and the feedback from peers and teachers, students develop new awareness of themselves as person and of the needs of those to whom they minister. From theological reflection on specific human situations, participants gain a new understanding of ministry. Within the interdisciplinary team process of helping persons, they develop skills in interpersonal and inter-professional relationships.
1 Concourse Pkwy., Suite 800
Atlanta, GA 30328
(404) 320-1472
Contact Information
Karen Smith
Administrative Support Coordinator (Pastoral Care & CPE)
Pastoral Care & CPE
Our Lady of the Lake Health
5000 Hennessy Boulevard,
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: (225) 765-8896
Fax: (225) 765-4007
Email: Karen.Smith3@fmolhs.org
| Program Name/ Levels | Application Deadline | Program Dates | Type | Clinical Placements |
| Fall-Winter Extended Unit (A) | Sept. 3, 2025 | Sept. 24, 2025 – Feb. 13, 2026 | Hybrid (face-to-face orientation and final evaluation, classes on-line) | Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital, other FMOL Health facilities |
| Fall-Winter Extended Unit (B) | Sept. 3, 2025 | Sept. 24, 2025 – Jan. 23, 2026 | Hybrid (face-to-face orientation and final evaluation, classes on-line) | St. Dominic Hospital Jackson Mississippi, other FMOL Health facilities |
| Spring Extended Unit | March 9, 2026 | March 23, 2026 – July 24, 2026 | Hybrid (face-to-face orientation and final evaluation, classes on-line) | St. Dominic Hospital Jackson Mississippi, other FMOL Health facilities |
| Summer Intensive Unit | May 8, 2026 | June 1, 2026 – August 14, 2026 | In-Person (face-to-face) | Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital |
| Summer Intensive Unit | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 – August 13, 2027 | In-Person (face-to-face) | Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital |
| Program/Dates | Application Deadline | Type | Prerequisite | Clinical Placements |
| 2025: 10/20/25 – 10/02/26 | 9/26/2025 | In-Person (face-to-face) | One unit of ACPE CPE and master’s degree preferred – Stipend paid | Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital |
| 2026: 10/05/26 – 9/17/27 | 9/4/2026 | In-Person (face-to-face) | One unit of ACPE CPE and master’s degree preferred – Stipend paid | Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital |
As an accredited CPE Program, Our Lady of the Lake Health’s program exists in different settings. These include our hospitals, behavioral health facilities, children’s hospitals and nursing homes.
CPE units may be full time or part time. A unit of CPE includes 300 hours of clinical ministry and 100 hours of educational time (didactics, classes, reading seminars, case conferences, individual, and group supervision). Extended (part-time) CPE units are typically 18 to 32 weeks in duration and the time commitments will be half time or less per week, depending upon the way the program is structured. Full time CPE units are 10 to 12 weeks in duration and allow for intensive engagement and immersion into the ministry setting.
Educational seminars include didactic seminars presentations by subject matter experts, reading reflection seminars, theological reflection seminars, and peer group meetings or interpersonal relations group sessions. These educational experiences allow for mutual sharing, caring, support and relationship building with their training peers. Ministry opportunities may include providing worship and memorial services, and devotionals for peers, staff, and patients or parishioners. Field trips, workshops, and clinical observations may be periodically included.
To apply to Our Lady of the Lake's Clinical Pastoral Education Program, click here.
Applications for clinical pastoral education may be obtained from any of the ACPE accredited CPE Programs, such as Our Lady of the Lake Health CPE, from many participating seminaries, from the National ACPE office in Atlanta, Georgia, or the ACPE website. Our Program requires an application fee and a deposit. The deposit is applied to the tuition for the CPE unit if the student is accepted. An admissions interview is a part of the application process.