Planning Accreditation Board PAB

Overview

The Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) is an independent, non-profit organization based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Established in 1984, PAB accredits university programs leading to bachelor's and master's degrees in urban and regional planning across North America. Its mission is to promote excellence among planning programs and ensure high-quality education for future urban planners. PAB is jointly sponsored by the American Planning Association (APA), the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP). According to uniRank, PAB is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as the accrediting body for planning programs in the United States.

History and Legal Framework

PAB's accreditation activities began in 1984, succeeding a planning degree recognition program initiated in 1960 by the National Education Development Committee of the American Institute of Planners (AIP). This program was initially designed to assess graduates' qualifications for the AIP examination but expanded to evaluate the quality of planning education. PAB operates under the legal framework provided by the U.S. Internal Revenue Code as a 501(c)(3) organization, adhering to regulations governing non-profit entities. It is also recognized by CHEA, ensuring its compliance with federal standards for accrediting agencies.

Mission, Vision, and Objectives

PAB's mission is to promote excellence among planning programs and ensure high-quality education for future urban planners. Its vision is to be a leading accrediting agency that fosters a culture of excellence in planning education. The core objectives of PAB include:

• Accrediting planning programs to ensure they meet established quality standards.
• Providing a framework for continuous improvement in educational practices.
• Supporting planning programs in achieving their educational goals and objectives.
• Engaging in research and development to enhance accreditation processes.
• Collaborating with national and international organizations to align with global best practices.

Governance, Structure, and Independence

PAB operates as an autonomous entity governed by a Board of Directors appointed by its sponsoring organizations: APA, AICP, and ACSP. The Board is responsible for setting policies, strategic direction, and overseeing the organization's activities. The day-to-day operations are managed by a Secretariat, which implements the Board's directives and ensures the smooth functioning of accreditation processes. PAB maintains its independence by being a non-stock, non-profit organization, allowing it to focus solely on its mission without external commercial influences.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

PAB plays a pivotal role in the North American higher education system by accrediting planning programs. Its accreditation process involves a comprehensive evaluation based on established quality standards. These standards cover various aspects of education, including curriculum, faculty qualifications, facilities, student services, and research capabilities. The accreditation process is voluntary, allowing institutions to seek accreditation when they believe they meet the necessary criteria. PAB's approach emphasizes self-assessment, continuous improvement, and alignment with national and international standards, thereby contributing to the overall enhancement of educational quality in planning education. As of January 1, 2025, PAB accredits 80 master's and 16 bachelor's programs at 84 universities across North America.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

PAB actively engages in international collaborations to enhance the quality of planning education. It is a founding member of the Global Planning Education Association Network (GPEAN), which includes organizations such as the Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP), the Association of Planning Schools of Turkey (TUPOB), and the Association of Indonesian Planning Schools (ASPI). These memberships enable PAB to align its accreditation processes with global best practices and participate in international dialogues on planning education. Additionally, PAB has been recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education for its accreditation of medical programs, underscoring its commitment to maintaining high standards in specialized fields.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

PAB's accreditation activities continue to significantly influence the landscape of planning education in North America. By setting and upholding rigorous quality standards, PAB ensures that planning programs provide education that is relevant, effective, and responsive to the needs of students and society. The organization's emphasis on continuous improvement encourages institutions to innovate and adapt to changing educational demands. Looking forward, PAB aims to expand its reach, enhance its accreditation processes, and further contribute to the development of a robust and globally competitive planning education system in North America.

Summary

The Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) stands as a cornerstone in the North American planning education sector, dedicated to promoting and ensuring quality education through its voluntary accreditation processes. Established in 1984, PAB has played a crucial role in shaping the educational landscape by setting high standards and fostering continuous improvement among planning programs. Its active participation in international networks and commitment to excellence positions PAB as a leading accrediting agency in the region, contributing to the advancement of planning education both nationally and globally.

FAQs

1. What is PAB?

   PAB is the Planning Accreditation Board, an independent, non-profit organization that accredits planning programs in North America, ensuring they meet established quality standards.

2. When was PAB founded?

   PAB was established in 1984 to provide formal recognition to planning programs and promote excellence in planning education.

3. Who sponsors PAB?

   PAB is jointly sponsored by the American Planning Association (APA), the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP).

4. Is PAB recognized by any accrediting bodies?

   Yes, PAB is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as the accrediting body for planning programs in the United States.

5. How many programs does PAB accredit?

   As of January 1, 2025, PAB accredits 80 master's and 16 bachelor's programs at 84 universities across North America.

Organization Name

Planning Accreditation Board

Acronym

PAB

Year of Establishment

1/01/1984

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

Affiliations or Memberships

Association for Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA)

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

81

Address

2334 W. Lawrence Avenue - Suite 209
Chicago
60625 Illinois United States

Phone

+1 (773) 334 7200

Fax

List of universities offering programs accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB):

Alabama (AL)

1. Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL
2. Auburn University, Auburn, AL

Arizona (AZ)

1. Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
2. The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

California (CA)

1. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo, CA
2. California State Polytechnic State University, Pomona, Pomona, CA
3. San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
4. University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
5. University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
6. University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
7. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Colorado (CO)

1. University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO

Florida (FL)

1. Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
2. Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
3. University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
4. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Georgia (GA)

1. Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
2. University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Hawaii (HI)

1. University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI

Illinois (IL)

1. University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
2. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL

Indiana (IN)

1. Ball State University, Muncie, IN

Iowa (IA)

1. Iowa State University, Ames, IA
2. University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

Kansas (KS)

1. Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
2. University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Kentucky (KY)

1. University of Louisville, Louisville, KY

Louisiana (LA)

1. University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA

Maryland (MD)

1. Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
2. University of Maryland at College Park, College Park, MD

Massachusetts (MA)

1. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
3. Tufts University, Medford, MA
4. University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst, MA

Michigan (MI)

1. Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
2. Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
3. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
4. Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

Minnesota (MN)

1. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Mississippi (MS)

1. Jackson State University, Jackson, MS

Missouri (MO)

1. University of Missouri – Kansas City, Kansas City, MO

Nebraska (NE)

1. University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE

New Jersey (NJ)

1. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ

New Mexico (NM)

1. University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

New York (NY)

1. Columbia University, New York, NY
2. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
3. Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY
4. New York University, New York, NY
5. Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
6. University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY
7. University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY

North Carolina (NC)

1. East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
2. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

Ohio (OH)

1. Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
2. The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
3. University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

Oklahoma (OK)

1. University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK

Oregon (OR)

1. Portland State University, Portland, OR
2. University of Oregon, Eugene, OR

Pennsylvania (PA)

1. Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA
2. Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
3. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
4. West Chester University, West Chester, PA

Puerto Rico (PR)

1. University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR

South Carolina (SC)

1. Clemson University, Clemson, SC

Tennessee (TN)

1. University of Memphis, Memphis, TN

Texas (TX)

1. Texas A & M University, College Station, TX
2. Texas Southern University, Houston, TX
3. The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
4. The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX

Utah (UT)

1. University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

Virginia (VA)

1. George Washington University, Arlington, VA
2. University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
3. Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
4. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA

Washington (WA)

1. Eastern Washington University, Spokane, WA
2. University of Washington, Seattle, WA
3. Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

Wisconsin (WI)

1. University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI
2. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI

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Wikipedia Article

Planning Accreditation Board's Wikipedia article

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