Benefits of Accreditation to You
Accredited institutions and programmes are invited to take active roles in our governance, depending on the level of involvement they have the capacity and interest to contribute. Participation is voluntary with the option to nominate a representative (including students) either as a reviewer, as an ex-officio member of the Advisory Board, where they contribute strategic insight, or to the Review Board where they engage directly with accreditation processes. In doing so they influence a system that belongs to them and reflects their collective interests.
Service on the Review Board builds a deep understanding of our systems and approaches and, after three years, members are eligible for elevation to the Board of Trustees. This creates a clear pathway for accredited members to share in the ownership of the agency.
Alongside this influence and ownership of the Council, accreditation makes quality visible both externally and within institutions. It provides internationally recognised assurance through transparent evaluation and continuous improvement building trust and strengthening systems. Members also become part of a global network committed to advancing education that is innovative, relevant and responsive to workforce and community needs. Here accreditation is not only a visible mark of excellence but also a transparent process that drives accountability and shared progress in public health education.
What Makes Us Distinct
We stand apart as the only fully independent body explicitly established and dedicated to public health education accreditation at the global level. Our processes are informed by evidence and research and designed to be formative, developmental and transparent. Independence ensures impartiality while global representation guarantees that no single region or worldview dominates. Students have a voice in every stage of accreditation and our explicit commitment to equity and decolonisation keeps standards relevant and inclusive. With members and reviewers drawn from every WHO region and a model aligned to international guidelines we combine rigour with breadth of perspective. We also provide flexible online reviews for digital learning programmes and create opportunities for collaboration through working groups webinars and research. In short, we offer a system that is globally recognised, socially accountable accreditation that is grounded in the realities of public health education. No other agency in the world offers this.
1. Proven Experience
Our Council brings decades of expertise in public health education and accreditation. Many of us have shaped national and international systems and contributed to global frameworks. We are a group of recognised leaders, committed to applying our knowledge for the benefit of future generations.
2. Global Purpose
We are the only independent accreditation agency created specifically to support public health education at the global level. Unlike regional bodies tied to local associations, we operate across borders to set and uphold international standards that serve global needs, not regional interests or points of view. Our approach is formative and inclusive. We believe the global perspective is an essential element for excellence and impact.
3. Comprehensive Coverage
We accredit a wide range of public health education and training. This includes undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programmes as well as schools, departments, faculties, colleges and short courses. Our flexible systems meet the needs of learners and institutions at every level and in every region.
4. Full Independence
Our independence guarantees impartial, rigorous evaluation. Free from institutional or political influence, our reviews are grounded in fairness and transparency. This ensures credibility, trust and genuine improvement for programmes and institutions across the world.
5. Strategic Scope
Our independence allows us to engage beyond accreditation. We lead initiatives that build capacity, strengthen processes and improve quality, and enable the sharing of best practices. Through podcasts, interactive webinars, research and global collaboration, we provide valuable, effective tools to improve education and align it with the changing needs of the public health workforce.
6. Online Accreditation for Online Learning
We are the only public health accreditation agency to offer online reviews for online programmes. We recognise that digital learning is not tied to geography. Our systems are designed to be flexible and practical, reflecting the realities of global online education.
7. Commitment to Decolonisation
We are the only agency with a specific commitment to decolonising public health education accreditation. We work to recognise historical inequalities, respect Indigenous knowledge and rights and create systems that are equitable, inclusive and relevant to diverse communities across the world.
8. Truly Global Representation
We are the only agency with decision-making bodies that include members from all six WHO regions. This is not tokenism. It reflects our commitment to global equity, ensuring that no single region or worldview dominates the standards or processes we uphold.
9. Student & Young Professional Voices in Accreditation
We are the only agency in public health education to include students as full members of our accreditation review panels and decision making boards. We have a specific Working Group dedicated to and comprised of students and young professionals. Their voices matter to help ensure our reviews reflect lived experiences and that education is accountable to those it serves.
10. Focus on Social Impact
We lead the field in embedding social accountability and innovation into accreditation. We examine how schools, programmes and courses serve communities, including how they address public health priorities and challenges. This helps to ensure the relevance, integrity, and purpose of our processes.
11. Research-Driven
Our accreditation systems are informed by active research. Through thematic reviews, institutional feedback and global studies, we ensure our processes are built on evidence, not assumptions. This creates a dynamic and responsive approach to quality assurance and improvement.
12. Transparent and Developmental
Accreditation is not a one-off judgement. It is a structured journey towards excellence. We provide clear, developmental feedback that helps institutions grow and adapt over time. Transparency, improvement and support are core to how we work.
13. Global Standards Aligned
We align with international best practice in quality assurance. Our accreditation model reflects the principles of the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG 2015) and the International Standards and Guidelines (INQAAHE 2022). This ensures that our work is recognised globally and supports quality, transparency and continuous improvement across the full spectrum of public health education.
14. Independent Appeals Process
We uphold fairness and transparency through a dedicated, independent appeals board. This mechanism guarantees that institutions have the right to challenge decisions in a clear and impartial process. It reinforces our commitment to accountable governance and quality assurance that institutions can trust and rely on with confidence.
15. Working Groups with Purpose
Our activities are shaped by expert working groups focused on areas that matter. These include Leadership and Workforce Preparedness, Quality Improvement, Students and Young Professionals, and , Decolonisation and Indigenous Health. Each group drives thinking, shares knowledge and proposes solutions that guide our initiatives and keep our work grounded in the realities of public health education.
16. Global, Experienced Reviewers
Our review panels are composed of trained professionals from across all WHO regions. Many have not only reviewed programmes but have been through accreditation processes themselves. This adds depth, empathy and rigour to our evaluations, ensuring that reviews are informed, balanced and sensitive to diverse educational contexts.
17. A Connected Community
We provide collaborative forums for both accredited and non-accredited institutions to come together. These platforms support dialogue, share insights and build relationships that benefit educators and students alike. By connecting people across systems and geographies, we help strengthen public health education as a shared global endeavour.
18. Responsive by Design
Our approach includes a built-in needs assessment that gathers regular feedback from stakeholders. This ensures our activities remain relevant and responsive. Whether refining standards or creating new resources, we are committed to listening carefully and adapting in ways that genuinely support those we serve.
Contact us to if you would like to take part in shaping a more evidence-informed, community-based, collegial future for accreditation.
© ICAPHE 2025