The Bachelor of Planning degree offered by the School of Planning and Sustainability is accredited by the Planning Institute of British Columbia (PIBC) and the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP).

Accreditation is a system for promoting national standards of education in planning and for recognizing educational institutions for a level of performance, integrity, and quality.  In Canada, CIP oversees the accreditation process, in conjunction with its provincial associations such as PIBC.  CIP establishes criteria for accreditation, arranges site visits, and evaluates UNBC’s ENPL program. The Planning Standards Board is the organization that oversees program accreditation on behalf of the professional associations  and the Canadian schools of planning. 

Program accreditation benefits ENPL students in three ways.

1. Our current students are eligible to apply for Student Membership in PIBC, which is restricted to BC Students currently enrolled in CIP-recognized University planning programs.
2. Our graduates are eligible for Full Membership in PIBC and CIP after only two years of professional planning experience.  Otherwise, without a degree from an accredited university planning program, Full Membership requires four years of professional planning experience.  Only Full Members are entitled to use the professional designations 'MCIP' and 'Registered Professional Planner' (RPP) after their name.
3. Our graduates’ job prospects are significantly improved.  Employers in the planning field look for students graduating from an accredited planning program.  They often advertise for candidates who are either CIP members or eligible for membership.  Accreditation is also a consideration in many formal actions by scholarship commissions, governmental funding agencies, and foundations.

As a result of a reciprocal agreement between the American Institute of Certified Planners, CIP recognizes planning programs that have been accredited by the US-based Planning Accreditation Board.  In turn, AICP recognizes Canadian planning programs that have been approved by CIP, thus expanded the job market for graduates with the Bachelor of Planning from UNBC.  In addition, other countries recognize CIP accreditation. 

For more information about accreditation please contact a faculty member in Planning, visit the Planning Standards Board website, or contact one of the following organizations:

Canadian Institute of Planners
116 Albert Street, Suite 801
Ottawa, ON
K1P 5G3
Phone: 800-207-2138 or 613-237-PLAN
Fax: 613-237-7045

American Institute of Certified Planners
1776 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC
20036-1904
Phone: 202-872-0611
Fax: 202-872-0643