Certified in Public Health:
The Advantages of Requiring the CPH Exam
Schools Requiring the CPH Exam
University of
North Texas
University of
Louisville
University of
Oklahoma
First graduating
class to take the
exam:
2012
2015
Students must
pass to graduate:
Yes
Attempts school
pays for:
University of
South Florida
Brigham Young
University
2015
2013
2014
No
No
Yes
Yes
Three
One
Two
One
One
Fee built into
tuition:
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Results used for
CEPH self-study:
Yes
Not yet
Yes
Yes
Yes
School provides
study resources:
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Richard Kurz, PhD
Robert Jacobs, PhD
David Johnson, PhD, PE, CIH
Jaime Corvin, PhD, MSPH
Carl Hanson, PhD, MS
Richard.Kurz@UNTHSC.edu
robert.jacobs@louisville.edu
david-johnson@ouhsc.edu
jcorvin1@health.usf.edu
carl_hanson@byu.edu
Contact Info:
Other schools/programs with
significant CPH participation
• Columbia University
• CUNY School of Public Health
• Drexel University
• Eastern Virginia Medical School
• Johns Hopkins University
• St. George’s University
• Touro University CA
• University of Florida
• University of Pittsburgh
CPH examinees per year and cumulative
Exam Eligibility
All graduates of CEPH-accredited
Schools and programs of public health
All public health degrees,
NOT just MPH.
Exam Eligibility
Students who:
• have completed or are concurrently enrolled in the
graduate-level core content required for their graduate
degree
o
o
o
o
o
biostatistics
epidemiology
environmental health
health policy
behavioral sciences
(New) Exam Eligibility
Individuals who have taken the core content
at a CEPH-accredited institution and who meet one
of two additional eligibility criteria:
• Minimum of five years of public health experience OR
• Possession of a relevant graduate degree
Exam Coverage
General Principles (25 items)
Core areas
• Biostatistics (30 items)
• Epidemiology(30 items)
Cross Cutting areas (25
items)
• Communication & Informatics
• Environmental Health
Sciences (30 items)
• Diversity & Culture
• Leadership
• Health Policy &
Management (30 items)
• Professionalism
• Social and Behavioral
Sciences (30 items)
• Public Health Biology
• Program Planning
• Systems thinking
Price and discount program
• $385 - Regular registration
• Schools/programs which sponsor minimum number of
candidates can extend lower price to students and alumni:
• If minimum = 20% of graduating class: $345
• If minimum = 30% of graduating class: $315
• $250 for SPH/PHP which require the CPH
The CPH Examination
• 3 testing cycles per year at computer-based
testing centers: February, June and October
• Exams given M-F and some Saturdays
• Paper-pencil testing administrations available
by request
• Offered in locations in USA and globally
Culminating Experience
• Purpose
– Students synthesize and integrate knowledge acquired throughout
the program of study (both core and concentration)
– Application of theory and principles in a way that approximates an
aspect of professional practice
– Opportunity for faculty to evaluate student attainment of
competency
• Possibilities
– Written and/or oral comprehensive examinations, applied practice
or research projects, case studies, capstone seminars, etc.
– Some combination of experiences
• Timing
– Generally at or near the end of the program of study
The CPH as part of the culminating
experience
Testing Core Knowledge
Applying core and
concentration knowledge
Other Good Uses of CPH
• Your overall program for assessment of student learning
[Criterion 2.7]
– If your expected competencies address the five core areas (they
should), the CPH is an excellent way for you to show that your
students have achieved competency in those areas.
– Keep in mind that even this does not assess competency in the
concentration area.
– It also does not suffice as your entire assessment program – even if
you offer a generalist program
• Your overall measurement of program success [Criterion
1.2]
– Percent of students passing the CPH may be a good measurable
indicator of program quality
Why the CPH?
University of North Texas
First Graduating Class to Take the Exam:
Students Must Pass to Graduate:
Attempts School Pays For:
Fee Built into Tuition:
Results used for CEPH Self-Study:
2012
Yes
Three
Yes
Yes
Why the CPH?
University of Louisville
First Graduating Class to Take the Exam:
Students Must Pass to Graduate:
Attempts School Pays For:
Fee Built into Tuition:
Results used for CEPH Self-Study:
2015
No
One
Yes
Not yet
Why the CPH?
University of Oklahoma
First Graduating Class to Take the Exam:
Students Must Pass to Graduate:
Attempts School Pays For:
Fee Built into Tuition:
Results used for CEPH Self-Study:
2015
No
Two
Yes
Yes
Why the CPH?
University of South Florida
First Graduating Class to Take the Exam:
Students Must Pass to Graduate:
Attempts School Pays For:
Fee Built into Tuition:
Results used for CEPH Self-Study:
2013
Yes
One
Yes
Yes
Why the CPH?
Brigham Young University
First Graduating Class to Take the Exam:
Students Must Pass to Graduate:
Attempts School Pays For:
Fee Built into Tuition:
Results used for CEPH Self-Study:
2014
Yes
One
No
Yes
Thank You!