The Counselor Education Comprehensive Examination (CECE) is the culminating experience for the MA counseling programs.
Students are required to take this exam during their last semester of matriculation in the program. The CECE is a graduation requirement; it is not a licensure or certification exam.
The CECE is a multiple choice exam, with 120 multiple choice questions total. There are 15 questions for each of the following eight Domains:
Human Development
Social and Cultural Foundation
Helping Relationship
Group Counseling
Lifestyle Career Development
Appraisal
Research and Program Evaluation
Professional Orientation and Ethical Practice
Note: The CECE is not the same exam as the CPCE. However, both exams are very similar in content and format, and both exams cover the same eight domains. Study materials developed for the CPCE can be used for to study for the CECE.
See the CECE Student Information guide for details on exam format, study materials, and technology requirements.
We suggest you supplement your studying with materials such as the ones listed on this website to help you prepare.
The CECE is not the same exam as the CPCE, however both exams are very similar in content and format. That being said, you may use study materials intended for the CPCE to study for the CECE.
You can access a digital copy of The Encyclopedia of Counseling for free on NYU Library. This is a highly recommended resource by students who passed the exam.
Watch the Exam Overview video. Faculty members briefly discuss each of the 8 domains and provide suggestions for how to approach the content in each area.
If you need accommodations to have more time to complete the exam, please reach out to the Moses Center and request that an accommodations letter be sent to your academic advisor.
If you already have a documented accommodation through the Moses center, you can send that directly to APSY.Masters.advising@nyu.edu.
National Counselor Examination (NCE)
The National Counselor Examination (NCE) is a licensing exam required by many states. New York State does NOT require the NCE for licensure as a mental health counselor or certification as a school counselor.
For mental health counselor licensure information for other states, please visit the Licensure Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness page and contact the individual state board for information regarding specific requirements.
This exam is generally not required for certification as a school counselor in any state. However, please go to the Certification School Counseling page, to review certification requirements for other states.
New York University does not offer this exam on campus. If you are interested in taking this exam, please visit National Counselor Examination (NCE
National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE)
The NCMHCE is the New York State required mental health counselor licensing exam. Upon graduation, students may obtain a limited permit to practice. Full licensure is contingent upon the completion of 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience and a successful score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counselors’ Exam. For information regarding New York mental health counseling licensure, visit their website http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/mhp/mhclic.htm.
Mental Health Counseling students DO NOT have to take this test prior to graduation. You can find information regarding this exam at National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE).