Field Education

At CTS, integrating real world experience and theology is central to your learning as an MDiv student. Theological Field Education encourages you to lead beyond the classroom, to explore your religious leadership, and to grow personally and professionally. MDiv students complete two Theological Field Education praxes: Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and Field Placement.

Clinical Pastoral Education is a combination of professional education and professional care work to teach and learn spiritual care in and for a diverse world. CPE has a long history of support from Chicago Theological Seminary through Anton Boisen, CTS professor and co-founder of the CPE movement. His legacy lives on in the Boisen archives, a courtyard memorial, and the Seminary’s commitment to one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education as an MDiv degree requirement.

Field Placement is contextual, hands-on learning in places of worship, faith-based non-profits, healthcare, and other organizations, alongside supportive supervision and peer theological reflection. Field Placement emphasizes the development of knowledge, skills, and mind-sets for religious leadership. Field Placement internships are approximately twelve to fifteen hours per week for an academic year and are designed for students to explore their career path consistent with the outcomes of the MDiv degree.

Current students should refer to the current MDiv Handbook on myCTS for more information about CPE and Field Placement. If you are part of an organization and have a Field Placement internship, CPE unit or residency, or another opportunity to offer, please post a job with us.