MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Licensure Exam Pass Rates
Naropa University is committed to providing transparent, verified outcomes for our graduates. To ensure the highest level of accuracy and data integrity, the metrics displayed below are compiled from a combination of independent professional testing boards and institutional tracking mechanisms:
- National Counselor Examination (NCE) Pass Rates: This data is sourced directly from official institutional performance reports provided by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) through our formal reporting partnership.
- Employment and Jurisprudence Data: Data on employment and jurisprudence pass rates are self-reported by our graduates. It is captured systematically through surveys administered directly to graduating students—including data collected at the point of program completion via the Certification of Master’s Education (CME) Request Form, as well as follow-up surveys deployed post-graduation. To verify self-reported data, graduate names are cross-referenced with the state regulatory board database to confirm provisional license approvals, validating passed jurisprudence exams. Data on the National Counselor Examination (NCE) is obtained directly from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).
All percentages are calculated based on the total number of survey respondents unless otherwise specified
Professional Licensure Examination Pass Rates
In Colorado and many other jurisdictions, graduates must pass specific standardized examinations to achieve state credentials as a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
The table below details the performance of our graduates who sat for these examinations during the reporting period.
Academic Year 2025–2026 Outcomes
Cohort Size: 146 | Knowledge Rate: 77%
Examination Name | Purpose / Jurisdiction | Graduates Testing | Naropa Pass Rate |
Colorado State Jurisprudence Exam* | Required for legal practice and licensure within the State of Colorado. | 65 | 100% |
National Counselor Examination (NCE)** | Required for professional counseling licensure in participating states. | 6 | 100% |
* Jurisprudence pass rates are verified via the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) database.
** NCE testing windows occur multiple times throughout the calendar year; numbers reflect total annual structural aggregate feedback from the NBCC.
Post-Graduation Employment & Placement Status
The following data tracks our graduates’ immediate transitions into the workforce. Data reflects employment status at the time of graduation.
Academic Year 2025–2026 Career Placement Breakdown
Cohort Size: 146 | Knowledge Rate: 77%
85% Positive Placement Rate
Of the 2025–2026 graduates who responded to our Graduation Outcomes Survey survey, 85% successfully transitioned into professional counseling employment, agency roles, or an intentional career pause at the time of graduation.
Employment Status / Setting | Number of Graduates | Percentage of Respondents | Sector Description & Context |
Started Private Practice | 18 | 16% | Graduate established an independent, solo counseling private practice. |
Joined Group Private Practice | 9 | 8% | Graduate joined an existing multi-therapist/group clinical private practice. |
Hired by Internship Site | 48 | 43% | Graduate transitioned into a permanent paid staff position at their clinical internship site. |
Hired by a different agency or organization | 12 | 11% | Graduate transitioned into a permanent paid staff position at a clinical agency or other organization within the community. |
Took a Break | 8 | 7% | Graduates who indicated they are intentionally postponing their job search due to continuing education, family care, relocation, personal wellness goals, or other concerns. |
Not Yet Placed | 17 | 15% | Graduates who have completed their degree requirements and are currently in the process of seeking or securing professional counseling placement. |
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Transpersonal Art Therapy program holds specialized programmatic accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), acting upon the recommendation of the Education Committee of the American Art Therapy Association (AATA).
While all tracks within Naropa University’s Graduate School of Counseling maintain identical, rigorous institutional standards for retention, completion, and student success, CAAHEP-accredited programs are subject to independent, uniform reporting criteria and annualized threshold mandates specific to the field of art therapy.
The data below (retention rates, graduation rates, and employment rates) apply solely to the students in the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Transpersonal Art Therapy program.
Retention by Graduation Year
Year | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Retention Rate | 91% | 86% | 83% |
Positive Placement by Graduation Year
Year | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Employment Rate | 100% | 100% | 83% |
| Knowledge Rate | 82% | 100% | 83% |
Notes & Definitions
Pass Rate: The percentage of exam-takers who achieved a score equal to or higher than the state or national passing threshold on their first attempt.
Retention Rate: The percentage of students who enrolled in the program and either continuously maintained their active enrollment or successfully completed their degree over a given academic year. It measures institutional commitment to supporting students through to graduation.
Employment Rate (Positive Placement): The percentage of graduates who successfully secured professional employment in a counseling or counseling-related role, or who chose to continue their education, within a designated timeframe following graduation.
Knowledge Rate: The term knowledge rate is defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers in the First Destination Survey Standards and Protocols. Knowledge rate includes responses to online surveys and online research.
