Academic Standing Policy
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required in the approved degree plan for
the graduate program or graduate certificate. Grades of D or F do not apply toward a graduate
degree but are used to figure grade point averages. Courses may be repeated for credit, in which
case the last grade of the record is the official grade. Minimum grades required for stem work
(assigned prerequisites) are noted on the initial degree plan and/or certification plan. Courses
taken outside official program(s) are not subject to these grade requirements unless so specified
by the program adviser on the degree plan.
Comprehension Exam
Students must demonstrate proficiency in counseling knowledge by passing the Counselor
Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE). Students must complete and pass the CPCE
before applying for graduation. Students are required to register and take the CPCE exam during
the semester that they take practicum and will have two more attempts to pass the exam during
their internship I and II semesters. Registration instructions are sent out to all students taking
practicum and those who need to retake the exam during their internships. There is a $75.00 fee
to register for the CPCE exam paid to the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE). The
examination covers the following eight content areas corresponding to the associated courses in
our program:
1) Human growth and development-EDCG 5339
2) Social and cultural diversityEDCG 5347
3) Helping relationships-EDCG 5311 & EDCG 5312
4) Group work-EDCG 5323
5) Career development-EDCG 5355
6) Assessment-EDCG 5324
7) Research and program evaluation-EDCG 5329
8) Professional orientation and ethical practice-EDCG 5310 & EDCG 5315.
The CPCE is a 160-item multiple-choice examination, but only 136 items are used to determine
if the student meets the minimum passing (criterion) score. The other 24 items are undergoing
field testing, to determine suitability for future use (The student will not know which items are
being field-tested when taking the CPCE.). The maximum possible score on the CPCE is 136.
The CPCE is not scored on a “curve,” so the passing score is not influenced by other examinees’
results, but the counseling program determines a passing cut-score from comparing the score to
national results. More information about the CPCE including study materials can be found on
our program website. https://www.tamuk.edu/education/departments/counseling/testing.html
Course Longevity
A master’s degree student must complete all requirements for each specific graduate degree
within seven years of initial registration for that degree. Graduate credits older than those 9
stipulated are not applicable toward a graduate degree without written approval from the
Graduate Dean.
Repetition of a Course
If a student repeats a course that may not be taken for additional credit, it is the policy of the
university to count as part of a student's cumulative grade point average only the last grade
received in the course, whether passing or failing, other than a grade of Q. However, for
purposes of grade point average calculation on course work for graduation, grades stand as
recorded unless the same course is repeated at this university.
Students who have received their first bachelor’s degree from this institution cannot repeat
courses that were used to earn the first degree for purposes of grade point average calculation.
It is the responsibility of the student, after repeating a course, to file a special request form in the
Office of the Registrar, so that the adjustment in the grade point average, when applicable, can
be entered on the permanent record.
Grades
A grade point average of 3.00 or better on all graduate work on the approved degree plan, is
required for graduation. If a course is retaken, the last grade will be counted toward graduation
and computation of the overall grade point average. A course in which an “F” is received is
considered a course completed and the course must be retaken at the same institution.
