CEPH Accreditation
The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit schools and programs of public health. The Master of Public Health program at Illinois became fully accredited by the CEPH in June 2013 and has been continuously accredited since that time. The Master of Public Health program at Illinois was reaccredited in 2018, with current accreditation extending until 2025. To obtain copies of the most recent final report and self-study documents, please email mph-admissions@illinois.edu.
Foundational Competencies
CEPH, the public health accreditation body, developed 22 Foundational competencies that are informed by traditional public health core knowledge areas as well as cross-cutting and emerging public health areas. All accredited MPH programs fulfill these foundational competencies.
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1. Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice
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2. Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context
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3. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate
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4. Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice
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5. Compare the organization, structure and function of health care, public health and regulatory systems across national and international settings
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6. Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community and societal levels
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7. Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health
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8. pply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs
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9. Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention
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10. Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management
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11. Select methods to evaluate public health programs
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12. Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence
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13. Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes
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14. Advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations
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15. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity
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16. Apply principles of leadership, governance and management, which include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration and guiding decision making
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17. Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges
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18. Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors
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19. Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation
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20. Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content
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21. Perform effectively on interprofessional teams
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22. Apply systems thinking tools to a public health issue
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Epidemiology Concentration Competencies
The MPH program has identified six concentration competencies, in addition to the foundational competencies listed above that relate to our mission and epidemiology concentration. These competencies are fulfilled by the four concentration courses.
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1. Critically assess the strengths and limitations of epidemiological and health research
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2. Design and select appropriate statistical analysis plan for given public health data
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3. Develop an epidemiological study designed to address a specific research question, including appropriate scientific rationale
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4. Apply advanced statistical analysis techniques to analyze epidemiologic data including generalized linear models, multilevel modeling, and survival analysis
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5. Recommend evidence-based interventions (and/or control measures) in response to epidemiological findings
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6. Demonstrate the role of epidemiology in shaping and evaluating public policy
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Health Behavior & Promotion Concentration Competencies
The MPH program has identified five concentration competencies, in addition to the foundational competencies listed above that relate to our mission and health behavior and promotion concentration. These competencies are fulfilled by the four concentration courses.
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1. Define research problems, frame research questions, design research procedures, and outline methods of analysis
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2. Apply theoretical frameworks to public health practice and problem solving
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3. Assess risk and protective factors impacting communities through critical evaluation of peer-reviewed scientific literature and/or data analysis
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4. Design and conduct evaluations of the acceptability and effectiveness of public health studies (e.g., interventions, observational studies, randomized controlled trials etc.)
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5. Solicit and interpret input from community and stakeholders to participate in the needs assessment, planning, or implementation of health education/promotion in a defined community
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