CEPH Accreditation

The Master of Public Health Program is pleased to announce that it has been reaccredited with the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) for a seven-year term extending to December 31, 2029. CEPH is an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit programs and schools of public health. CEPH is the longest standing accrediting body of public health schools and programs in the world. Our MPH Program is the only Program in Ontario and the fourth in Canada to receive CEPH accreditation.

(Please note that CEPH accreditation is different from Ontario Universities Council of Quality Assurance, which the MPH Program obtained in March 2013.)

What are the benefits of graduating from a CEPH Accredited Program?

  • Applicants and students can be assured of quality education through continuous self-evaluation and rigorous review by CEPH standards
  • Some employers and international NGOs only hire graduates from a CEPH accredited program
  • Students can obtain the credential Certified in Public Health by writing the exams for the National Board of Public Health Examiners in the United States.

What are the benefits for employers and/or the community?

  • Employers can be assured that our graduates not only have the public health knowledge and skills but also the team-based skills to tackle today’s most pressing public health issues
  • The community will benefit from an expert workforce that will be able to improve communities both locally, nationally and internationally

Our self-study and final site visit report (2022) are available online. For more information please contact the Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health at 519-661-3184 or publichealth@schulich.uwo.ca.

FAQs

Can you tell me more about the Council on Education for Public Health?

The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is an independent agency recognized by the US Department of Education to accredit schools of public health and public health programs offered in settings other than schools of public health. These schools and programs prepare students for entry into careers in public health. The primary professional degree is the Master of Public Health (MPH) but other master’s and doctoral degrees are offered as well.

Why is CEPH accreditation important?

CEPH assures quality in public health education and training to achieve excellence in practice, research and service, through collaboration with organizational and community partners.

Do you have any statistics about CEPH accreditation?

CEPH has compiled data about the number of accredited schools and programs, accredited online degrees and applicants. These statistics can be found here. 

What is the difference between a school and a program?

CEPH accredits two separate categories, schools of public health and public health programs, and there is a separate set of accreditation standards for each.

The major difference visible to prospective students would be that schools of public health generally offer many more concentrations or specializations and degree offerings than public health programs. Programs are only required to offer a single MPH degree.

Institutions listed in either category have the same, full accreditation status. Their accreditation is simply based on different criteria.

Are there any CEPH Accredited Programs/Schools in Canada?

Yes. There are two other accredited programs and one accredited school in Canada:

  • Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montreal (program)
  • Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser (program)
  • School of Public Health, University of Alberta (school)

Information adapted from the website of the Council on Education for Public Health.