Benefits of Accreditation

CEPH accreditation serves multiple purposes for different constituents. In general, specialized accreditation attests to the quality of an educational program that prepares for entry into a recognized profession.

• For the public, accreditation promotes the health, safety and welfare of society by assuring competent public health professionals.
   
• For prospective students and their parents, accreditation serves a consumer protection purpose. It provides assurance that the school or program has been evaluated and has met accepted standards established by and with the profession.
   
• For prospective employers, it provides assurance that the curriculum covers essential skills and knowledge needed for today's jobs.
   
• For graduates, it promotes professional mobility and enhances employment opportunities in positions that base eligibility upon graduation from an accredited school or program.
   
• For public health workers, it involves practitioners in the establishment of standards and assures that educational requirements reflect the current training needs of the profession.
   
• For the profession, it advances the field by promoting standards of practice and advocating rigorous preparation.
   
• For the federal government and other public funding agencies, it serves as a basis for determining eligibility for federally funded programs and student financial aid.
   
• For foundations and other private funding sources, it represents a highly desirable indicator of a program's quality and viability.
   
• For the university, it provides a reliable basis for inter- and intra-institutional cooperative practices, including admissions and transfer of credit.
   
• For the faculty and administrators, it promotes ongoing self-evaluation and continuous improvement and provides an effective system for accountability.
   
• For the school or program, accreditation enhances its national reputation and represents peer recognition.