SIPE is a cluster of Supervised Clinical Psychospiritual Education teaching centers with one in Saskatoon and one in Regina. Each is committed to providing quality Clinical Psychospiritual Education (CPE) educational opportunities. Program objectives are as follows:
- to teach skills in spiritual care
- to help students reflect theologically and spiritually about human life
- to equip students to function clinically as spiritual caregivers
- to equip students to become CASC/ACSS certified specialists and teaching supervisors
- to promote Clinical Psychospiritual Education and assist in the development of CPE programs in and around Saskatchewan
During each program students will receive 400 hours of adult spiritual care education consisting of 200 hours of supervised clinical practice as spiritual caregivers and 200 hours of group and individual supervision. Currently, the cluster has two program sites, St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon and Santa Maria Senior Citizen’s Home in Regina.
The development of The Saskatoon Institute for Pastoral Education in 1997 came about in part to assist the CPE program sites relate to the Saskatoon Theological Union – a federation of the three theological colleges of the Lutheran Theological Seminary, the College of Emmanuel & St. Chad (Anglican) and St. Andrew’s (United Church) College. All three colleges are located on the University of Saskatchewan campus, in Saskatoon.
Each CPE program has been recognized academically by the Saskatoon Theological Union, and the teaching supervisors function as adjunct faculty. Some participating seminaries grant six credit hours (the equivalent of two course credits) for a Unit of CPE when taken as part of a degree program.