This article analyses the singularity of the methodologies used in the quality assessment of graduate programs involving Public Health in two Latin American countries Argentina and Brazil. The authors conducted a search in websites that addressed themes such as "public health training and education" and "quality assessment methodologies", besides re-examining documents and bibliography on the theme. The analysis took into account the following dimensions: the Latin American political and economical context during the last ten years (1994-2004), the educational systems' reforms (emphasizing the postgraduate area), and the quality assessment methodologies implemented. The authors found similarities in the evaluation systems in effect in both countries as well as shortcomings in these processes, namely, evaluation driven by supervision and control rather than redirection and reorientation of teaching, and the mandatory adjustment of courses to a standard model defined by experts.
teaching; quality assessment; graduate programs; public health; educational assessment