The Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) accredits university programs in North America leading to bachelor’s and master’s degrees in planning. Through rigorous, collaboratively developed standards, PAB helps programs strengthen curriculum, support student success, and demonstrate value to employers and university leadership. Accreditation affirms that a program offers a strong educational foundation and equips future planners with the knowledge, skills, and professional readiness to serve communities effectively.
Mission
The Planning Accreditation Board’s mission is to promote excellence among planning programs and ensure high-quality education for future urban planners.
Values
PAB embraces five core values:
- Stewardship: preserving the knowledge base of the urban planning profession with which the PAB has been entrusted and supporting the innovations that enhance it over time.
- Collaboration: advancing the dialogue and partnerships between the academic and practitioner communities.
- Communication: articulating the value of an accredited urban planning education to students and the communities they will study and serve.
- Integrity: maintaining a commitment to fairness, transparency, consistency, and state-of-the-art accreditation practices.
- Leadership: providing leadership in sharing and encouraging instructional innovation.
Partner Organizations
PAB is sponsored jointly by the three organizations:
- The Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP)
- The American Planning Association (APA)
- The American Institute of Certified Planner (AICP)
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to elevating excellence in planning education and underscores that all stakeholders – practitioners, educators, students, institutional leaders, elected officials, and communities – benefit from strong, credible, and forward-thinking education.
Strategic Plan
PAB’s mission is enhanced by a 5-year strategic plan, approved in December 2023, that guides the organization’s activities. The strategic plan builds on PAB’s accomplishments, strengths, and key themes developed in collaboration with leaders of ACSP, AICP, and APA.
Recognition
PAB is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and adheres to the CHEA Recognition Policy. Under CHEA recognition, PAB undergoes periodic review. Additional information on CHEA policies, including an important item that discusses degree mills and accreditation mills, is available on the CHEA website.
PAB is a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA) and adheres to the ASPA Code of Good Practice.
PAB Staff
Jesmarie Johnson, CAE, Executive Director
jjohnson@planningaccreditationboard.org
(773) 334-7200
Jaclyn Hade, Associate Director
jhade@planningaccreditationboard.org
(773) 334-7200