Our goal is to help prospective applicants understand the steps involved in applying for and completing the ICAPHE accreditation process. This explainer video will guide you through each stage, beginning with eligibility requirements and concluding with where to access the documents and support you’ll need along the way.

It starts by outlining the eligibility criteria, which are very straightforward and consist of your school or its programmes having  a public health focus either at the bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral levels. In addition, for schools, you must run at least two public health programmes. Finally, both schools and programmes must be legally compliant both within your institution and in the country where you operate.

Once eligibility is established, the next step is the candidacy application. We strongly recommend contacting ICAPHE via email or phone to arrange an online meeting. 

This meeting allows us to better understand your needs and to clarify any part of the process before you formally begin. After this, you’ll submit your candidacy application form, confirming that you meet the eligibility criteria. The ICAPHE Review Board will assess your submission and inform you of your candidacy status. If your application is successful, you will then proceed to the full accreditation process.

Full accreditation begins with the preparation of a self-evaluation report which represents a comprehensive review of your institution’s practices, measured against ICAPHE’s defined criteria. During this stage, peer and office support are available, so please don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance. Once complete, the report is submitted to ICAPHE. An expert panel is then appointed to review your school or programme. This review typically takes place around two months after submission and may be conducted on-site, online, or using a hybrid format. The panel will assess your compliance with the accreditation standards and submit their findings to the Accreditation Review Board, which then determines your accreditation status.

Following international best practice, all accredited institutions are issued a follow-up reporting plan. This plan outlines any recommendations or conditions made during the review and supports continuous improvement throughout the accreditation period.

Full details of the process can be found in our handbooks for both schools and programmes. These include a clear breakdown of the five main accreditation stages, from candidacy through to progress reporting. You’ll also find helpful flowcharts to guide you through each step.

All required documents are available on the ICAPHE website or can be requested directly from our office. If at any point you are unsure or need additional help, please contact us. We are happy to provide peer or office support to guide you through the process.