Date of Initial Accreditation

• ABC University’s MPH program enrolled its first cohort of students in Fall 2014.
• The program’s application for accreditation was accepted on June 15, 2015.
• ABC University must submit an acceptable self-study document by June 15, 2017 and undertake a site visit in Fall 2017.
• ABC University’s first graduating class was in May 2016.
• ABC University is accredited on June 23, 2018 for a five-year term, extending to July 1, 2023.
• Its date of initial accreditation would be June 15, 2015.

• XYZ University’s MPH program enrolled its first cohort of students in Fall 2014.
• The program’s application for accreditation was accepted on June 15, 2015.
• ABC University must submit an acceptable self-study document by June 15, 2017 and undertake a site visit in Fall 2017.
• During the program’s required consultation visit, the CEPH staff consultant observed that the program had been giving students the option of completing a practicum and planned to require a practicum beginning with students who enrolled in Fall 2016. Thus, the first two cohorts of students were not completing an “accreditable” program.
• XYZ University reluctantly requested an extension of its applicant status, which was granted on June 10, 2017.
• The program must now submit an acceptable self-study document by June 10, 2019 and undertake a site visit in Fall 2019.
• XYZ University’s first graduating class was in May 2016.
• XYZ University is accredited on June 20, 2020 for a five-year term, extending to July 1, 2025.
• Its date of initial accreditation would be June 10, 2017.

No. Only schools/programs that get accredited for the first time after September 2014 are eligible. The initial date of accreditation will not change for those schools/programs already accredited.

Yes, it is technically possible. The school/program would have to plan carefully and be on a very specific timeline. CEPH staff can help you plan your timeline, if needed.

Three years. The examples provided above illustrate the possible scenarios.

No. Accreditation units seeking initial accreditation are eligible for a maximum term of five years that extends from the date on which the Council makes the accreditation decision. The examples provided above illustrate the possible scenarios.

No. Acceptance as an applicant does not guarantee that a school/program will get accredited. The applicant period can also be extended, which would impact the date of initial accreditation.

A school/program may say the following:

The date of initial accreditation will be either 1) the date on which our application was accepted by the Council or 2) the date on which the most recent extension of applicant status was granted. The Council assigns the date of initial accreditation during the Council meeting at which the accreditation decision is made.

Yes, the CEPH website contains a page about applicants that includes important dates. Be sure to check the Notes column to see whether an extension has been granted.