Applying to Become an Accredited Planning Program

There are two separate application stages involved in becoming accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (“PAB”). Planning programs must first apply to become a Candidate for accreditation. Only after a program has been granted candidacy status, can it then apply for accreditation itself. The entire process, including both stages of application, takes place over the course of about three years. A detailed Accreditation Application Timeline is available.

Applying for Candidacy

Applying for Candidacy is a multi-stage process. The first step is to ensure the program meets the five preconditions for accreditation as outlined in the Letter of Application for Candidacy Status. Once the PAB confirms the preconditions have been met, the program will be asked to produce a detailed Self- Study Report that provides in-depth analysis and evaluation of the program and its compliance with the PAB’s criteria for accreditation. The Self-Study Report Manual provides instructions on how to prepare and submit the Self-Study Report, and includes the template to be used. Along with the Self-Study Report, the program will also submit a $1,925 application fee. The Self-Study Report serves as the basis of the PAB Board’s review of Candidacy applicants, which culminates in a program representative appearing before the Board to respond to questions about the report and the program. If Candidacy is awarded, the PAB will assign the program a season (fall or spring) for the program’s Site Visit, and the program will move on to the second stage of the accreditation process: applying for initial accreditation.

Applying for Initial Accreditation

Once a program becomes a candidate for accreditation, the PAB will send a three-member Site Visit Team, comprised of two planning professors and a planning practitioner, to perform a three-day, on-sight evaluation of the program. The program is responsible for all of the costs and logistical aspects of the visit, including arranging for the team to meet with the program’s faculty, students and alumni, the institution’s administration and members of the local professional planning community. The Site Visit Manual contains detailed information on the required and recommended elements of the Site Visit schedule. After the visit, the Site Visit Team will produce a report evaluating the program according to various objective and subjective criteria as listed in the Accreditation Document. The program will have an opportunity to comment on the Site Visit Team’s report and will appear again the PAB Board to respond to questions derived from the report. The PAB Board then makes a decision on whether or not to grant accreditation and, if applicable, the length of the accreditation term.

Questions

If you have questions about these application processes or any of the materials included here, please do not hesitate to contact Shonagh Merits, Executive Director of the PAB, at 312.662.1440 or pab@planningaccreditationboard.org.