Students must make a passing score on the Counseling Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) in order to graduate from the Counselor Education Program at NCCU. This examination is a standardized test taken the semester before the student intends to graduate.
Students are NOT permitted to take this exam any earlier than one semester before they intend on graduating - AND - have the approval of their advisor.
For example, if you intend to graduate in the Spring of 2021 (May, 2021), take the exam in the Fall of 2020. If you intend on graduating the the Fall of 2020 (December, 2020), take the exam in the Spring of 2020.
Students typically take this exam either:
- The semester they are enrolled in Practicum (if they are to complete Internship in one semester), or
- The first semester of their internship (if they complete Internship in two semesters)
These examples may not apply to everyone, especially students taking Practicum during the summer or dual-major students. The CPCE is not offered at NCCU during the summer. Dual-major students may want to wait to complete the exam until they have an idea of when they intend to graduate. Take the exam the semester just before the semester they intend to graduate.
A student who fails to pass the CPCE may, after a period of one semester, apply for and secure reexamination. Should a second failure occur, a third examination is possible upon recommendation of the program coordinator and a favorable vote from the Graduate Council. If the student’s request to take the comprehensive examination is denied, or in the event of a third failure, the student will be dismissed from the program. For more information about the CPCE go to online to www.cce-global.org.
Students living outside of the Durham area needing to take the CPCE closer to home are able to do so. Please note the registration process is different. There is an additional fee to test off NCCU's campus.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGISTERING FOR THE CPCE
These instructions are new - as of September 2019.
Click HERE to download the instructions. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.
Spring 2020:
The CPCE will be given during a 2-week window in March (March 16-27). If you are taking practicum and taking the CPCE this spring, but need to take the exam closer to home read further. If you will be taking the exam at NCCU follow the directions above for registering.
For students that are not local to Durham/NCCU you may elect to take the CPCE closer to home for an additional fee. You still must take the exam during our March 16-27, 2020 testing window, but your directions are going to be different from those posted on the website and I need to approve you taking the CPCE off campus before you can register. If you need to take the CPCE off campus please put your email and name in this Doodle survey before our January 26th deadline. If you need test accommodations, you must have a signed letter on NCCU letterhead sent to me by email from the Office of Disability Services and DO NOT register for the exam until I notify you. You should not register until after you hear from me on your next steps because the process is a little bit different.
https://doodle.com/poll/zzvpv36iffxcr68n
I sincerely hope you have a strong start to your semester and that you have your prep plans are in place to successfully pass the CPCE.
Be well, Dr. Barrow
