VERY UNofficial: An AICP Study Guide Podcast

Jonathan Miller, MPA, AICP, GISP•www.veryunofficialaicppodcast.com

After preparing, studying for, and passing the exam in November of 2019, I realized there weren't a whole of FREE materials that helped with the certification process. I couldn't find much information relating to the application process (mostly the criteria questions), and while there were some free materials available online, I found it hard to find the time to set aside to study. And that's how this podcast was born. It serves as a free resource for people to prepare for the AICP certification, all in commute-sized audio clips.

Last refreshed: July 10th, 2025 at 10:08 AM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Episode 9: Civilization is Crumbling

Okay…so Civilization isn’t CRUMBLING - that’s a bit dramatic. BUT housing and living conditions sure did take a nosedive when tenements started being built. What caused this? When did it happen? Who did anything about it? And how did it affect the way communities were being planned? Well, that’s what we cover in Episode 9. Enjoy! First Model Tenement: http://yuriartibise.com/history-urbanism-north-america-1800s/#:~:text=1855%20The%20First%20Mod...

Sep 29, 2020•15 min

Episode 8: By Land or By Sea

Now that the land we won from the Revolutionary War got all sliced and diced and sold and given away, people started moving west. It wasn’t easy though. Getting out there was hard, and making a living was even harder. The Appalachian Mountains almost left the new western frontier out in the proverbial cold, but innovations in the National Road and Erie Canal made it all possible. The National Road: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Road https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/i...

Sep 22, 2020•14 min

Episode 7: Now That We Found Land, What Are We Gonna Do With It?

After the Revolutionary War ended with the Treaty of Paris, the new Confederation didn’t really know what to do. We were broke, feeling our way through uncharted territory, and became the recipients of an enormous swath of land. But now that we’ve got this land, what are we gonna do with it? Land Ordinance of 1784: https://ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Ordinance_of_1784#:~:text=The%20Ordinance%20of%201784%20was,west%20of%20the%20Ohio%20River.&text=The%20Congress%20hoped%20to%20sell...

Sep 15, 2020•14 min

Episode 6: So It Begins

This week we’re turning back the clock even farther to planning’s colonial roots. We’ll talk about the two big examples, Philadelphia and what was called…”The Holy Experiment,” and Savannah and its historic squares. First, we'll discuss a little bit about what colonial planning is generally characterized as and why it came about, just to provide some context. Great Fire of London: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Fire_of_London The Holy Experiment: https://en.wikipedia....

Sep 09, 2020•13 min

Episode 5: How Did We Get Here?

Do you know what the history of the American Planning Association is? Well, there’s a good chance you’ll need to know in case there’s a question on the AICP about it. APA History Link: https://www.planning.org/history/#:~:text=On%20October%201%2C%201978%2C%20the,American%20Society%20of%20Planning%20Officials.&text=We%20have%20grown%20from%20an,17%2C000%20are%20certified%20by%20AICP. MIT Archives on AIP: http://world.std.com/~mehopper/Pro/AIP.htm Support the show

Aug 31, 2020•11 min

Episode 4: What's the Game Plan?

Shane and Alexandra from Planning Certification agreed to talk with us some more about some tips and tricks on how to structure your study time, manage your time and anxieties on test day, and just generally get ready for it so that you're in the best position you can possibly be in when you sit down. Show Links: https://www.planningmi.org/aicp www.planningcertification.com Support the show

Aug 25, 2020•12 min

Episode 3: What to Expect When You're Expecting...To Take the Exam

So you've received the great news that you're going to be taking the exam.... Congratulations! But then comes the good 'ole fashioned question...now what? Well, I talked with Alex and Shane of Planning Certification for some more insight into what we can expect with the exam. We cover some general topics like how many questions, what kinds of questions, stuff like that. It's important to know the logistics of the make-up of the exam, so that you know how the questions...

Aug 17, 2020•10 min

Episode 2: It's All About the Process

So, you decided to pursue an AICP Certification. Now comes the fun part of sorting out the eligibility requirements, navigating deadlines, and submitting your credentials and criteria responses. We’re here to help walk you through those, and hopefully clear up anything that might be confusing. Eligibility Criteria: https://www.planning.org/certification/eligible/ AICP Guide Part 1: https://planning-org-uploaded-media.s3.amazonaws.com/document/AICP-Guide-Part-1-C...

Aug 10, 2020•18 min

Episode 1: To AICP or Not to AICP

AICP. Is it worth it? We’re looking at the benefits of AICP certification and talking with Andrew Moore, Planning and Zoning Administrator for the City of Canal Winchester about why he chose to skip certification…for now. Reasons for AICP Certification: https://planning.org/aicp/why/ APA 2018 Salary Survey: https://www.planning.org/salary/summary/ Support the show

Aug 03, 2020•14 min

Teaser

Welcome to the VERY UNofficial AICP Study Guide Podcast. Coming soon to a podcast near you, we'll cover everything related to the American Institute of Certified Planners Exam in commute-sized chunks. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss the releases. Support the show

Jul 16, 2020•1 min

← Prev

Hosted on Spotify for Creators (Anchor)

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android