University of Wisconsin – Madison

Contact Info

Kurt Paulsen, Program Director
608.262.8990; Dept phone: 608.262.1004
kpaulsen@wisc.edu
https://dpla.wisc.edu/academics/graduate-programs/ms-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: July 1, 2025

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:

• 1D / Student Learning Outcomes Assessment determined to be partially-met. The Program’s approach to student learning outcomes is general with regards to stated learning objectives and assessment. The Program should more clearly define program learning objectives and the process for assessing them.

• 2C / Student Advising, Services and Support determined to be partially-met. The Program should ensure that it is providing students with sufficient and consistent advising on internships and jobs.

• 4D / Program Facilities determined to be unmet. The Program is housed in a facility that is outdated and does not meet contemporary standards.

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.

November 2016: Program granted 4-year accreditation. The 4-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.