Accreditation is a system for recognizing educational institutions and professional programs for performance, integrity and quality. This recognition is extended primarily through nongovernmental, voluntary associations. These accreditors establish criteria for accreditation, arrange site visits, evaluate institutions and professional programs, and confer accreditation.

Although accreditation is basically a private, voluntary process, it is often a consideration in decision making by governmental funding agencies, scholarship commissions, foundations, employers, and potential students.

Mission

The Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) ensures high quality education for future urban planners.

Core Values

The PAB embraces the following five core values:

• Stewardship: preserving and enhancing the knowledge base of the urban planning profession with which the Board has been entrusted.
• Collaboration: building and sustaining a bridge between the academic and practitioner com­munities.
• Communication: fostering awareness of urban planning education and its environment.
• Integrity: maintaining a commitment to fairness, transparency, and consistency.
• Leadership: maintaining currency with regard to state-of-the-art accreditation practice and instructional innovation.

Functions

In order to accomplish its mission, the PAB:

• Accredits graduate and undergraduate planning programs in North America.
• Mentors programs to further academic excellence in professional education.
• Collects and provides data on the state of planning education (student profiles, performance, placement, effectiveness, etc.).
• Strengthens professional education in partnership with its sponsors: the ACSP (Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning), the AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners), and APA (the American Planning Association).

PAB, founded in 1984, is proud to be officially recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). PAB is a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA) and adheres to the ASPA Code of Good Practice.