The purpose of the CPCE is to assess counseling student’s knowledge of counseling information viewed as important by counselor preparation Programs. The CPCE will also provide collective feedback that can be used by the Program in developing/adapting the curriculum.

Content

The CPCE will cover the eight common-core areas as defined by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP) in their Standards for Preparation: 

• Human growth and development – studies that provide an understanding of the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental levels. 

• Helping relationships – studies that provide an understanding of counseling and consultation processes. 

• Group work – studies that provide an understanding of group development, dynamics, counseling theories, group counseling methods and skills, and other group work approaches. 

• Career and lifestyle development – studies that provide an understanding of career development and related life factors. 

• Appraisal – studies that provide an understanding of individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation. 

• Research and program evaluation – studies that provide an understanding of types of research methods, basic statistics, and ethical and legal considerations in research. 

• Professional orientation and ethics – studies that provide an understanding of all aspects of professional functioning including history, roles, organizational structures, ethics, standards, and credentialing. 

Format

The CPCE will consist of 160 items with 20 items per CACREP area.

Registration

Every candidate for the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree must apply for and pass a comprehensive examination. The comprehensive examination is taken in the first semester of clinical coursework (CNSL 5397). Students are responsible for checking the website (https://www.tarleton.edu/counsel/student-resources/CPCE.html) for registration deadlines, information regarding the examination and arranging to take it as scheduled. Registration for the Departmental Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) is a multistep process. Contact the Department of Counseling testing coordinator to receive details about completing the registration process.  

Other information on the CPCE can be found in your student handbook.