Appalachian State University

Contact Info

Elizabeth Shay, Planning Program Director
828.262.7058
shayed@appstate.edu
https://geo.appstate.edu/undergraduate-students/academics/bachelor-science-community-regional-planning
Public Information

Accreditation Actions

Accreditation effective January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2031
Last Accreditation Cycle: 2025 – 2026
Next Accreditation Cycle: 2030 – 2031
Progress Report: July 1, 2029

Summary of Recent Actions

April 2026: Program granted 5-year accreditation.

PAB accreditation indicates that the Program has undergone an external review and substantially meets the PAB standards and criteria. Programs granted accreditation demonstrated conformity with PAB Standards after a thorough review from the Board. PAB bases its decisions on the overall quality of the program, its performance relative to its mission and strategic plan, and its performance relative to PAB’s five standards, which encompass a total of 29 criteria and 9 curriculum sub-criteria. When PAB determines that a Program does not fully meet a criterion or curriculum sub-criterion, the Program is encouraged to take steps to improve in that area and provide information to PAB on its efforts, either during the next accreditation review or in an interim progress report.

The Planning Accreditation Board has required the Program to address issues in the following areas:

• Criterion 1A / Strategic Plan determined to be partially-met. The Strategic Plan provides a good framework for the future and can be strengthened with clearer metrics.
• Criterion 4D / Student Learning Outcomes Assessment determined to be partially-met. The Program should identify methods for collecting direct measures, ensuring the approach is manageable for a small faculty.

This information is a summary only. Please consult the school directly for in-depth information regarding programs, course offerings, and compliance with PAB standards. Programs should also be consulted directly for additional information on issues and areas of improvement identified during an accreditation review, and the actions that the school is taking to address these areas.

November 2024: Program granted Candidacy Status effective January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026.