Our Institutions

The Trauma-Responsive Congregations project draws upon the resources available through the institutions of Boston University, in partnership with the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab and ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care & Education.

Since 1839, Boston University School of Theology has been preparing leaders to do good.

Today a theological education at Boston University School of Theology is preparing leaders who are pursuing a wide range of vocations – parish ministry, conflict transformation, chaplaincy, campus ministry, administration, non-profit management, social work, the teaching profession, justice advocacy, peacemaking, interfaith dialogue, and more.

A seminary of The United Methodist Church, Boston University School of Theology is also a robustly ecumenical institution that welcomes students from diverse faith traditions. We combine a 175-year heritage of academic distinction with the flexibility to lead the reshaping of global religious life. Our renowned faculty will help you craft a curriculum to nurture your academic goals and realize whatever ministry you imagine.

The Center for Practical Theology seeks to provide a bridge between the scholarly resources, questions, and insights of a university-based theological seminary and the wisdom, questions, and traditions of communities of faith.

In doing so, the Center provides an infrastructure for sustaining, deepening, and expanding important relationships and connections between Boston University School of Theology and local congregations, denominational offices, and religious centers so that they may be more integrally incorporated into student learning and faculty teaching and research. The Center was created in January 2005.

The Chaplaincy Innovation Lab, based at Brandeis University, supports research, teaching, and the provision of spiritual care in a range of settings. As the human spirit grows, changes and struggles, chaplains and spiritual care providers accompany us along the way, regardless of beliefs or who or where we are. The Lab fosters research and its practical application to improve the provision of spiritual care for all. We host a wealth of data on the profession, provide practical tools, and offer educational resources to advance the important work of spiritual care providers.

ACPE is the standard for spiritual care and education. Our diverse membership includes Certified CPE Educators, Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapists, Spiritual Care Professionals and Practitioners, Pastoral Counselors, Chaplains, Faith Communities, and Seminaries. Our multi-disciplinary, multi-faith, multi-racial community of professionals provides education, connection, and formation through continuing education, networking, and leadership development. 

ACPE is the premier, Department of Education recognized, organization that provides the highest quality CPE programs for spiritual care professionals of any faith and in any setting. We do this through a rigorous accreditation and certification process for centers and educators that provide CPE.