University of Minnesota

Contact Info

Nichola Lowe, Director
Dept phone: 612.624.3800
nlowe@umn.edu
https://www.hhh.umn.edu/masters-programs/master-urban-and-regional-planning
Public Information

Accreditation Actions

Accreditation through December 31, 2027
Last Accreditation Cycle: 2021 – 2022
Next Accreditation Cycle: 2026 – 2027
Progress Report: Not Applicable

Summary of Recent Actions

May 2022: 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 18 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 1D/ Student Learning Outcomes Assessment determined to be partially-met. The Program is encouraged to develop a systematic approach that adequately assesses student in PAB-required competencies and, if so, competencies designated by the program. This system also should be integrative with curriculum development and inform its future changes.

• Criterion 2C / Student Advising, Services, and Support determined to be partially-met. It is important that full-time faculty are familiar with various components of the curriculum, including dual-degree options, and provide more comprehensive academic advising to students.

• Criterion 4C / Instructional Delivery and Scheduling determined to be partially-met. The Program should better coordinate electives and work to address part-time students’ need.

• Criterion 5A / Program Autonomy determined to be partially-met. The Program should provide evidence and there is institutional consistency for planning faculty to have an independent voice in the admission of students.

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. If the Program has provided a response to any of the issues cited above, please see below for a link to the response.

August 2018: Program granted a 2-year extension of accreditation based on a satisfactory Progress Report that addressed issues identified in the previous accreditation review.

April 2015: Program granted 5-year accreditation. The 5-year decision is based on PAB’s findings that multiple minor deficiencies exist and/or deficiencies have been recently corrected. Progress Report by July 1, 2018 to be submitted by the Program for possible extension of accreditation of 2 years.

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 7 standards, which encompass a total of 35 criteria and 17 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.

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.