Students must achieve candidacy in order to take the comprehensive exam. Preparing for the examination should begin early and should involve a broad range of preparatory actions so that students may achieve a "professional synthesis" of their varied training experiences.
A review of textbooks, lecture notes, and other course materials should serve as one component of the review process. It is important to note that students will be accountable for material covered in those required courses that were waived during the development of the student's Individualized Student Program.
Students enrolled in the mental health counseling program will typically sit for their examination upon completion of 30 semester hours of coursework. Students enrolled in the school psychology program typically will sit for their examination during their internship year. All students should confer with their advisors if there is any question about the timing of the comprehensive examination.
The comprehensive examinations are pass/fail. If a student does not successfully pass the examination, they must retake the entire examination during a future administration.
If you have a disabling condition that may interfere with your ability to successfully complete the comprehensive examination, please contact the SUNY Oswego Office of Accessibility Resources, 155 Marano Campus Center, 315.312.3358.
The Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE)
The Mental Health Counseling program uses the CPCE for their comprehensive examination. Students must pass the CPCE as part of their graduation requirements.
Content
The CPCE covers the eight common-core areas identified by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP):
- Human growth and development
- Social and cultural foundations
- Helping relationships
- Group work
- Career and lifestyle development
- Appraisal
- Research and program evaluation
- Professional orientation and ethics
Preparation
There is no official study guide for the CPCE. Since the CPCE and the National Counselor Examination (NCE) are based on the same eight knowledge areas, any study materials developed for the NCE should be useful for the CPCE. Study guides for the NCE exam can be found in the Browsing Section of Penfield Library, in the library at Jefferson Community College, or may be ordered online.
A practice exam for the NCE exam is available. The NCE exam is very similar to the CPCE and this is a very useful resource.
An excellent book to help you prepare for the exam is "Encyclopedia of Counseling: Master Review and Tutorial for the National Counselor Examination and State Counseling Exams" by Howard Rosenthal. One copy is in our browsing collection and can circulate for two weeks and the other copy is in our reference collection of Penfield Library.
To Register
The CPCE is offered (1) via computer-based testing at a Pearson VUE test center or (2) from your computer at a location of your choosing. The following documents provide registration directions:
- Create an account.
- Registration directions if you do not require accommodations.
- Registration directions if you do require accommodations.
The School Psychology Praxis Exam
Students in the School Psychology Program are required to take The Praxis Exam for School Psychologists, which is administered by ETS. The Praxis Exam is also required in order for program graduates to become Nationally Certified in School Psychology (NCSP).
Students may obtain a copy of The Praxis Series: Guidance, Administration and School Services and The Praxis Series Registration Bulletin by calling (609) 771-7395. There is online information available for the Praxis Tests.
Cost: Check the Praxis website for the current test fee.
Content
As stated in The Praxis Series, "The test assumes that candidates have had some form of supervised practicum or internship experience." Consequently, the optimal time to take the exam may be during the internship. The test is made up of 120 multiple-choice questions that cover the following areas:
1. Diagnosis and Fact Finding
2. Prevention and Intervention
3. Applied Psychological Foundations
4. Applied Educational Foundations
5. Ethical and Legal Considerations
Preparation
The Praxis Series: Guidance Administration, and School Services provides a full description of the test along with sample test items.
Time Allotment
Students are allowed two hours to complete the Praxis examination.
To Register
The Praxis exam is administered six times per year. To register, follow the directions in The Praxis Series Registration Bulletin. The closest ETS test center is at Onondaga Community College. Students must have their scores reported to:
Chairperson
CPS Department
SUNY Oswego
Oswego, NY 13126