David A. Birch, PhD, CHES, Department of Health Education & Recreation, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Pulliam Hall, Mailcode 4632, Carbondale, IL 62901, 618-453-4331, dabirch@siu.edu and Kathleen Roe, DrPH, Department of Health Science, San Jose State University, McQuarrie Hall, San Jose, CA 95192.

In January 2001, the SOPHE/AAHE Task Force on Accreditation in Health Education was charged with developing a detailed plan for a coordinated accreditation system for undergraduate and graduate programs in health education. The final plan was completed in February, 2004. In the spring of 2004 the plan was reviewed and considered for approval by the AAHE Board of Directors and the SOPHE Board of Trustees. The purpose of this session is to present the final accreditation plan and describe the current implementation phase of the project. The relationship of this accreditation plan to other health education quality assurance efforts will also be presented in the session. Opportunities will be described that are intended to promote the involvement of individual professionals and health education organizations in the implementation phase of the project. Time will be allocated for participants to respond to the final plan and provide input relevant to the implementation phase of the project.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will describe the SOPHE/AAHE plan for a coordinated accreditation system.
• Particpants will describe the relationship of the plan to other health education quality assurance efforts.
• Participants will identify methods for individual and organizational involvement in the implementation phase.

Keywords: Health Education, Professional Preparation

Related Web page: www.healthedaccred.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.