Counseling

Master's Students

Ph.D. Students

Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination

ExaminationAll counseling students (except for those in the 30-hour Human Services degree program) must pass a comprehensive examination before their degree will be conferred.  The Liberty University Graduate Department of Counseling is utilizing the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE), published by the Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc. (CCE), which is an affiliate of the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC), for the majority of the examination. 

Graduation Requirements

Students who are enrolled in the 48-hour and 60-hour Licensed Professional Counselor track and Marriage and Family Therapy track must successfully pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) and the Integration exam.

Requirements to Register for the Exam

  • The following courses should already be completed: 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 510, 512, 521, 522, 667
  • 3.0 GPA
  • On good standing in the program

Exam Dates

The comprehensive examination is administered the third Saturday of February, July and October. 
Additionally, this exam may be offered at the end of COUN 667 Intensives scheduled throughout the year.

Summer Term 2013 Exam Dates

  • May 17, 2013 - 1:00 p.m. - section is full
  • May 24, 2013 - 1:00 p.m.
  • May 31, 2013 - 1:00 p.m.
  • July 12, 2013 - 1:00 p.m. - section is full
  • July 20, 2013 - 8:00 a.m.

Fall Term 2013 Exam Dates
Registration for these dates opens on June 5th, 2013

  • August 30, 2013 - 1:00 p.m.
  • September 6, 2013  - 1:00 p.m.
  • September 13, 2013  - 1:00 p.m.
  • October 19, 2013   - 8:00 a.m.
  • October 25, 2013   - 1:00 p.m.

Information about the exam

Registration

Resident Students: Contact the Comprehensive Exam Coordinator at counselingcompexam@liberty.edu to register for the exam.

Online Students: Contact Liberty University Online's Academic Department at 1-800-424-9596 or coun@liberty.edu to register for the exam.

Time Limit

Students will have four hours to complete both parts of the Comprehensive Exam (CPCE and Integration).

Test Fee

  • $45 will be charged to your student account once you have been registered to take the exam.

Maximum Number of Attempts

  • Students may take both the CPCE and Integration parts up to three times.
  • After three failed attempts, students will need to transfer into the 30-hour Human Services degree program to get their degree conferred.

Exam Results

  • Please allow two weeks for the exam results.
  • Once these exams are processed, a notice will be sent to you immediately notifying you of the results.

Parts of the exam

I. Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE)

Eight core knowledge areas will be covered in the CPCE portion:

  1. Human Growth and Development
  2. Social and Cultural Foundations
  3. Helping Relationships
  4. Group Work
  5. Career and Lifestyle Development
  6. Appraisal
  7. Research and Program Evaluation
  8. Professional Orientation and Ethics

II. Integration

The Integration part is offered through Blackboard at no cost, and must be taken within 2 weeks of the CPCE portion.  This is a closed-book, closed-note exam. Please email the CPCE Coordinator at Liberty University at counselingcompexam@liberty.edu  requesting to be registered for the integration portion of the exam.

This portion reviews studies that provide an understanding of the integration of theology and psychology.

Study Tips

I. CPCE

  • Rosenthal, H. (2008). Encyclopedia of Counseling.  New York, NY; Routledge Taylor & Francis. ISBN: 13: 978-0-415-95862-2 (Soft Cover).

II. Integration

  • McMinn, M. R. (1996).  Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling.  Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.  ISBN: 0-8423-5252-X
  • Entwistle, D. N. (2010).  Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity (2nd ed.).  Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers.  978-1-55635-944-6.
  • Integration Study Guide

Preparing for the Exam

  • The best way to prepare for the exam is to develop a study schedule that allows for adequate studying time in each of the different areas of knowledge.
  • Divide your study time so that you spend equal time preparing for each area.
  • Study consistently.
  • It is recommended that students consider the timing for taking the CPCE. Often students in  their internship semester, who are also taking a few additional classes, tend to feel overwhelmed if a study schedule is not established and followed.
  • Do something relaxing and get a good night’s rest the night before the examination.

Off-Site Testing

  • If traveling to Lynchburg to take this exam is too great of an inconvenience, one has the option to take the CPCE exam at an accredited school in your state that offers this exam to their students.
  • Students should begin this process at least six months to one year in advance.
  • The CCE provides information for possible alternative testing locations to Liberty University students as a special favor, not as a requirement.  Please be aware that the universities you contact may not be testing during your needed time frame and/or may choose not to allow you to test with their students.  Should either of these be the case, you will be required to test at Liberty University.
  • To find out what schools offer CPCE in your state, please do the following:
  1. Fill out the following form: Liberty University Site Switch form.
  2. Send it to the CCE representative, Laura Hall at cce@cce-global.org or fax it at (336) 482-2852. Please do not send this form back to Liberty.
  3. Once you locate the school that is willing to administer the CPCE to you, please contact the CPCE Coordinator at Liberty University, Kevin Van Wynsberg via email (counselingcompexam@liberty.edu) with the address of the CCE approved testing site.