The International Council for the Accreditation and Advancement of Public Health Education (ICAPHE) provides accreditation services grounded in a formative, non-prescriptive approach, shaped by the collective insight of the global public health education community.Accrediting public health education worldwide. ICAPHE supports quality assurance in public health courses, programmes, and academic institutions.

Exploring Student, Faculty and Key Stakeholder Perspectives: Priorities in Public Health Education and Quality Improvement Processes (working title)

About the Project
This international research initiative, coordinated by the International Council for Accreditation of Public Health Education (ICAPHE), aims to explore and understand the perspectives of students, faculty and key stakeholders on the current state of public health education and the processes that support quality improvement.

It is vital to ensure that its policies and practices are informed by evidence. This research will support that aim by drawing insights from diverse global regions and experiences, ensuring that accreditation and quality improvement processes remain relevant, responsive and effective.

The research will be led by a central team at the University of Western Australia (Perth) and conducted in partnership with regional investigators. Each regional investigator will play a key role in data collection and will be supported with dedicated project funding.

Why This Research Matters

Public health education is the foundation for preparing professionals who will tackle the world’s most pressing health challenges. The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree remains the principal qualification for those entering the field, making it essential that the education and training provided are rigorous, current and effective.

Research in this sector is crucial. It helps ensure that programmes meet the evolving needs of students and employers alike. It supports the continuous improvement of educational delivery and outcomes. Most importantly, it ensures that future public health professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to serve their communities and respond to global health issues with confidence and competence.

Research Focus

This project will gather and analyse perspectives from across the six World Health Organisation regions. It will address questions such as:

  • What are the social, political, economic and organisational factors shaping the global public health education environment?
  • Beyond students and faculty, who are the key stakeholders in graduate public health education?
  • What matters most to students when choosing and engaging with MPH programmes?
  • What are the barriers and enablers to successful MPH education from the viewpoints of students, faculty and stakeholders?
  • Which strategies in programme design and delivery have proven effective, and which have not?
  • What are the top priorities for improving MPH education quality from both student and institutional perspectives?
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Data will be collected through student-led focus groups, document reviews and interviews with faculty and professional stakeholders. These insights will be synthesised to provide a global overview of strengths, gaps and opportunities in current Masters level education.

What We Aim to Achieve

Our goal is to support improvement in public health education globally. This includes:

  • Enhancing student experiences and outcomes
  • Strengthening programme relevance and quality
  • Aligning curricula with emerging public health needs
  • Informing policy and accreditation standards with current evidence

The findings will be made available to programme directors, academic institutions, policymakers, accreditation bodies and employers to guide informed decision-making and investment in quality education.

Get Involved

We are inviting researchers, faculty members, students and institutional leaders to join us in this important collaboration. Whether you represent a university, an accreditation body or a public health agency, your contribution can help shape the future of global public health education.

This is your opportunity to be part of a meaningful international effort that will directly influence how future public health professionals are trained.

Take part. Share your insights. Help strengthen public health education worldwide.

For expressions of interest or further details on how to participate, please contact ICAPHE.

Estimated Project Duration: 24 months

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