When embarking on the journey of seeing what next step is right for you in your public health career, you will most likely find yourself coming across the term “accreditation”. While the role of accreditation may look different depending on your education and career trajectory, it undoubtedly has a significant importance when it comes to making the most informed decision possible, making it an extremely important concept to understand.
So what even is accreditation? The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) defines accreditation as the review of the quality of higher education institutions and programs. In other words, it’s a “seal of approval” for meeting high standards of quality after extensive evaluations. Generally, accreditation is an at-a-glance way for students, employers, government agencies, and others to know that the program, college, or university provides an education that meets a high-quality level of standardization.
Accreditation criteria are consistently evaluated and updated to meet best practices, so having an accredited degree ensures that graduates have received an education that reflects up-to-date requirements of the field. With each institution having unique differences in content and delivery, accreditation can serve as a way to compare programs in a consistent way. This demonstrates that each program has already been thoroughly evaluated by the same markers of caliber. It is also a way to trust that the information provided by a college or university is reliable. The information provided by an accredited institution is trustworthy and will confirm whether students will be prepared for licensure tests, that the listed admissions information is accurate, that there is financial aid available, and more.
Within the U.S., the accreditation process is completed by nongovernmental organizations that exist solely for the purpose of completing this review process. Globally, accreditation, or another similar quality assurance process, is often completed by government agencies. It is important to note that there are two types of accreditation: programmatic and institutional. Per their titles, the former is the review of specialized programs at a college or institution, while the latter reviews the college or university in its entirety. For example, New York University has an accredited School of Global Public Health. Meanwhile, the Master of Public Health Program at the University of Toledo is an example of programmatic accreditation of that specific program within the greater University.
In the U.S., colleges and universities are accredited by one of 19 recognized institutional organizations, while programs are accredited by one of 63 recognized programmatic organizations. While accreditation is relevant to all fields across higher education, the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), established by the American Public Health Association (APHA), is the organization responsible for the accreditation of public health schools and programs.
Broadly, the difference between accredited versus non-accredited schools of public health is that an accredited school has been officially validated by CEPH while a non-accredited school lacks this seal of approval. In a field that is built upon the goal of improving and protecting the health and well-being of individuals and communities, accreditation is a way that can ensure that the graduates of such programs have gained the competencies necessary to enter the profession successfully.
The actual process of accreditation is completed through extensive evaluations and investigations for specific criteria. Meeting said criteria is recognized externally as ensuring that students have gained the competencies and skills needed. The criteria are consistently updated for continuous improvement, with the most recent list being amended in March of 2024. While a full list of accreditation criteria and procedures can be found on the CEPH website, a few items that must be met include items such as:
Providing narrative explanations of:
How the program is advancing the field of public health through instruction, scholarship, and service.
How it promotes student success through instruction, scholarship, and service.
How it prepares students to work with diverse populations and communities.
A detailed evaluation plan to determine the program's effectiveness and ensure accountability and dedication to continuous improvement;
Post-graduation outcomes and alumni perspectives on program effectiveness.
What resources are available to faculty and students.
More often than not, highly detailed and data-driven materials are necessary in order for such criteria to be met. In fact, the latest copy of Accreditation Criteria spans 58 pages and outlines required documentation through data collection and analysis, self-studies, and more, in order to meet these standards.
Needless to say, when considering the benefits gained from continuing your education, accreditation is an accessible and efficient way to communicate externally that the program in question is highly credible.
Another important distinction when considering next steps in your higher education is that some CEPH-accredited schools are exclusively dedicated to public health, while other schools may offer programs for a range of fields in addition to CEPH-accredited public health programs. Both are accredited, but may differ in their approach, size, or resources. Depending on where you want to go with your public health degree, either one could potentially be more beneficial in achieving your goals.
While you can find a full list of CEPH-accredited schools and programs on the CEPH website.Some accredited public health schools include Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, which has 32 CEPH-accredited public health programs housed in six departments and over 20 certificate options in areas like food systems or policy analysis, or Boston University’s School of Public Health, where students can choose up to two of 17 certificate options ranging from Infectious Disease to Human Rights to Program Management.
In comparison, CEPH-accredited programs like East Carolina University’s Public Health program, which is housed in the public health department of the Brody School of Medicine, has both three different concentrations and three different certificate options; Morgan State’s Public Health program, which falls within the School of Community Health and Policy, has a particular focus on addressing urban health challenges. Walden University’s online public health program allows students to collaborate with peers from all over the world in addressing today's health challenges.
Overall, the decision between a public health program within an accredited public health school, or an accredited public health program within a school that may have another specialty ultimately comes down to which is a better fit for your goals.
When deciding if an accredited school is the right fit for you, it’s important to consider career goals, financial implications, and the value of accredited public health degrees in the job market.
The rigorous criteria that must be met for accreditation ensures that graduates of an accredited program have the competencies that reflect the current needs of the public health profession. Therefore, having such a degree enhances eligibility for employment opportunities. Graduates of accreditation programs are eligible to take the Certified in Public Health exam administered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) without having to spend five additional years working in public health to sit for the exam. Furthermore, there are potential financial benefits, such as government agencies recognizing those pursuing an accredited program as eligible for federal grants and loans. If pursuing a degree or program while currently employed, accreditation can play a role in tuition assistance, if that is something being offered by your employer.
Pursuing a public health degree is certainly a decision that requires extensive thought, research, and personal reflection to ensure you find the right fit. While accreditation can be a complex topic, understanding the value of accreditation can inform the decision-making process — given its role in financial and career opportunities on top of ensuring that your time, money, and energy are being spent on the highest quality education. For more information on accreditation, you can visit the CEPH website, contact schools directly, and attend information sessions or open houses to gain more specific insights to make the best decision for you.