Planning Accreditation Board

Planning Accreditation Board
Name	Planning Accreditation Board
Formation	1984
Parent organization	American Institute of Certified Planners, Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning

Planning Accreditation Board. The Planning Accreditation Board is a non-profit organization that accredits university programs in urban planning, regional planning, and related fields, such as landscape architecture and environmental planning, in the United States and Canada. It is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and works closely with organizations like the American Planning Association and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning. The board's accreditation process is designed to ensure that planning programs meet certain standards, such as those outlined by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Introduction

The Planning Accreditation Board plays a crucial role in promoting excellence in planning education, as recognized by institutions like the University of California, Berkeley and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Its accreditation process is based on standards and criteria that are developed in consultation with organizations like the American Society of Landscape Architects and the Urban Land Institute. The board's members include representatives from organizations like the National League of Cities and the International City/County Management Association, ensuring that the accreditation process is informed by the needs of the planning profession, as practiced by professionals like Jane Jacobs and Andrés Duany. The Planning Accreditation Board also collaborates with other accrediting agencies, such as the National Architectural Accrediting Board and the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board, to ensure that planning programs are well-integrated with other disciplines, like architecture and engineering, as taught at institutions like the University of Michigan and the Georgia Institute of Technology.

History

The Planning Accreditation Board was established in 1984 by the American Institute of Certified Planners and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, with the support of organizations like the National Association of County Planners and the American Society of Planning Officials. Since its inception, the board has accredited over 100 planning programs in the United States and Canada, including those at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of British Columbia. The board's history is closely tied to the development of planning education, as influenced by pioneers like Ebenezer Howard and Le Corbusier, and it has played a key role in shaping the curriculum and standards for planning programs, as reflected in the work of organizations like the Congress for the New Urbanism and the International Society of City and Regional Planners. The Planning Accreditation Board has also worked with other organizations, such as the National Association of Schools of Public Administration and the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration, to promote excellence in planning education and practice, as recognized by awards like the National Planning Excellence Award.

Accreditation Process

The Planning Accreditation Board's accreditation process involves a comprehensive review of a planning program's curriculum, faculty, and resources, as well as its graduates' career outcomes and professional development, as measured by organizations like the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Science Foundation. The process typically takes several years and involves a self-study report, a site visit, and a final accreditation decision, as informed by standards and criteria developed by organizations like the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The board's accreditation process is designed to ensure that planning programs meet certain standards, such as those related to sustainability, social justice, and community engagement, as emphasized by organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank. The Planning Accreditation Board also provides guidance and support to planning programs throughout the accreditation process, as reflected in the work of organizations like the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and the American Educational Research Association.

Certified Programs

The Planning Accreditation Board has accredited planning programs at a wide range of institutions, including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Southern California, and the University of Toronto. These programs offer a variety of specializations, such as transportation planning, urban design, and environmental planning, as recognized by organizations like the Transportation Research Board and the Environmental Protection Agency. The board's accredited programs are recognized for their high quality and relevance to the planning profession, as reflected in the work of organizations like the American Public Transportation Association and the National Association of Home Builders. The Planning Accreditation Board's certification is highly valued by employers, such as IBM and AECOM, and it is often a requirement for professional certification, such as the American Institute of Certified Planners certification, as recognized by organizations like the National Association of State Planning Officials and the International City/County Management Association.

Governance and Membership

The Planning Accreditation Board is governed by a board of directors that includes representatives from organizations like the American Planning Association, the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, and the National Association of County Planners. The board's members are elected by the member organizations and serve staggered terms, ensuring continuity and stability in the accreditation process, as reflected in the work of organizations like the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. The Planning Accreditation Board also has a number of committees and task forces that support its work, including a standards committee and an accreditation committee, as informed by organizations like the American Society of Association Executives and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. The board's membership includes a diverse range of professionals and academics, such as Richard Florida and Shirley Ann Jackson, who are committed to promoting excellence in planning education and practice, as recognized by awards like the National Planning Excellence Award.

Standards and Criteria

The Planning Accreditation Board's standards and criteria for accreditation are based on a comprehensive review of the planning profession and the needs of employers, such as Google and Microsoft, and the public, as reflected in the work of organizations like the National League of Cities and the International City/County Management Association. The board's standards and criteria cover a range of areas, including curriculum, faculty, and resources, as well as graduates' career outcomes and professional development, as measured by organizations like the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Science Foundation. The Planning Accreditation Board's standards and criteria are designed to ensure that planning programs are well-integrated with other disciplines, like architecture and engineering, and that they provide students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to succeed in the planning profession, as recognized by organizations like the American Institute of Architects and the National Society of Professional Engineers. The board's standards and criteria are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changes in the planning profession and the needs of employers and the public, as informed by organizations like the World Bank and the United Nations.

Category:Accreditation