Planning Accreditation Board seeks public comments on proposed new accreditation standards

The PAB is proposing a substantial revision of the standards and criteria for accreditation of university planning programs. A public comment period on the proposal has just opened and lasts through 15 December. Here's what PAB says about the changes: "PAB is pleased to introduce a comprehensive revision of its accreditation standards and criteria. The goals of the change process include:

2 minute read

November 15, 2011, 2:24 PM PST

By Bruce Stiftel @BruceStiftel

"PAB is pleased to introduce a comprehensive revision of its accreditation standards and criteria. The goals of the change process include:

Developing standards, processes, and guidelines that are coherent,
consistent, and sustainable through PAB leadership and membership
changes;
Creating a clear and thoughtful framework that focuses on principles, outcomes, and accountability; and
Reducing the number standards to avoid redundancy and inconsistency, streamline the requirements, and promote simplicity.

Material improvements include:

A reduction in the number of standards from 11 to 7, and in
criteria from from 81 to to 32; elimination of redundancy; emphasis on
outcomes over inputs;
Leadership and trends in planning added to curriculum;
Programmatic outcomes replace student [learning] outcomes; and

Universal outcomes identified and required on websites."

The proposed standards are shown and comments may be submitted at: http://www.planningaccreditationboard.org/index.php?id=134. Alternatively, you can download a PDF version of the
proposed standards and submit comments via email to [email protected],
or regular mail to PAB at 53 W.
Jackson Blvd – Suite 1315; Chicago, IL 60604. Comments
submitted in either manner will also be made available on the PAB
website, accompanied by the names of those who submit.

Planning Schools accreditation professional planning education

Bruce Stiftel

Bruce Stiftel, FAICP, is professor emeritus of city and regional planning at Georgia Tech. His research concerns planning theory, adaptive governance, and international development. He chairs the Planners for Climate Action knowledge/research group, co-chairs the Researcher and Academic Partner Constituency Group in the World Urban Campaign, co-chairs U.N. Habitat's University Network Initiative, and is a Director At-large of the American Planning Association.

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.