Accrediting bodies have, therefore, come to be viewed as quasi-public entities with certain responsibilities to the many groups which interact with the educational community. The Planning Accreditation board accredits educational programs leading to bachelor's and master's degrees in planning. The planning accreditation program is intended to foster high standards for professional education in planning. It does so by encouraging programs to achieve and maintain a level of quality which merits accreditation. Accreditation is a means of providing formal recognition that a program indeed measures up to the profession's high educational standards and is therefore qualified to train its future practioners.
Accreditation is a means of strengthening planning education.
Educational experimentation and innovation, as well as institutional freedom and autonomy, are encouraged. A program applying for accreditation will be evaluated in light of both the accreditation criteria and the program's own stated goals and objectives.