What are the CEPH foundational competencies?

The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accredits MPH programs, and part of that accreditation is a shared list of 22 Foundational Competencies. Every student in an accredited MPH program is expected to be able to perform these by graduation, regardless of concentration.

What they cover

The competencies are grouped into broad areas of practice, such as evidence-based approaches to public health, public health and health care systems, planning and management, policy, leadership, communication, interprofessional and/or intersectoral practice, and systems thinking. Each one is written as an action statement, for example selecting appropriate data collection methods or communicating public health content to different audiences.

The wording can feel like a foreign language at first. You do not need to memorize it. Keep a reference copy handy and focus on the action verbs and content areas; fluency comes from using them. Learning to read competency language breaks this down further.

Foundational vs. concentration competencies

Foundational competencies are the same across every accredited program. Concentration competencies are written by your program for your specific track, such as epidemiology or health promotion. Your practicum usually has to address a mix of both, and the exact mix is set by your program.

Why they matter for your practicum

Your practicum is where you show you can apply these competencies in real work. You will typically select a set of competencies at the start, plan activities that address them, and produce work products and reflections as evidence. CEPH's standard calls for at least five competencies, at least three of them foundational, but your program may add requirements.

Remember that the bar is a new graduate's proficiency, not expertise. The competencies describe what a new graduate entering the workforce should be able to do, not what a seasoned professional demonstrates. CEPH revises its criteria periodically: the current list dates from the March 2024 amendment, and a new revision was out for public comment in 2026, so the number and wording may change. Check your practicum handbook for your program's version of the list and its specific requirements.