Contextual Education

Field Education
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)

Field Education

Practical aspects of ministry are often best learned in practical settings. After taking at least five classes at NHTS, students may elect to take field education for credit. A minimum of three students is needed in any single year. Students are given a variety of opportunities for “hands on” service in a local church or an appropriate agency. In addition, regular seminar meetings provide opportunity for learning personal and congregational dynamics, doing theological reflection, providing mutual support, and sharing. The NHTS field education course consists of these two parts:

An approved placement in a ministry setting, under the supervision of an approved teaching pastor and teaching parish committee for the nine months of the academic year, and
Participation in the Field Education Seminar for two semesters. This course receives six semester hours of credit, consistent with similar courses offered at other schools.

A separate Field Education Handbook is available upon request from the NHTS office. This handbook guides the student, teaching pastor, and teaching parish committee through the process.

For information about the program, contact:

Rev. Susan Church, M. Div.
Director of Field Education
Rector, St. Stephens Episcopal, Newport, OR
Vicar, St. Luke’s by the Sea, Waldport, OR
541-867-7685
stmavis@peak.org

Students intending to take field education are urged to seek advice and counsel from their school of record. Contextual education requirements vary from school to school. Advice must be sought on the applicability of the NHTS field education experience to any particular degree program and ordination or certification process. Information about contextual education/field education requirements can be found on the web sites of the Consortium schools. For more detailed information, contact the director of the program at your school of record

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)

CPE is a well-established program within theological education, a program that has proven to be very valuable in preparation for pastoral ministry. Some judicatories require CPE for ordination or may recommend CPE. In addition, the basic unit of CPE is foundational for persons preparing to serve as chaplains.

CPE is an independent program, with its own accreditation process. Students must apply for admission to one of the recognized programs. When admitted and upon completion of the program, the CPE Director will complete an evaluation and send it to the school granting academic credit. That evaluation becomes part of the file of the student. Upon successful completion of the program, the student is granted course credit in accordance with the policies of the particular school. As in all cases, it is important to check with the school of record for the number of credits accepted for such a program. While the student may enroll through NHTS, it may be an advantage to enroll through the school of record. Careful consultation with the Academic Dean at NHTS and the adviser at the school of record is important in making this determination. A fuller description of the program is available from the NHTS office.

Kempton Hewitt serves as the CPE Liaison for NHTS. He maintains a list of available sites in the Northwest and of contact persons for each program. Interested persons should be in contact with him.
kempton@99west.com
541-563-6649 (home)
503-930-5217 (mobile)