Master of Economic Development and Innovation (MEDI)

The program information below was valid for the fall 2017 term (September 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

Students are responsible for reviewing the general information and regulations section of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

Program information

  • Admit term(s) 
    • Fall
  • Delivery mode 
    • On-campus
  • Length of program 
    • The program, if taken full-time, should be completed within two years of initial registration.
  • Program type 
    • Master's
    • Professional
  • Registration option(s) 
    • Full-time
    • Part-time
  • Study option(s) 

Admission requirements

  • Minimum requirements 
    • An Honours Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Business, Commerce, Economics, Geography, Planning or a related field, with at least a 75% standing or other Honours Bachelor's degree (or equivalent).
  • Application materials 
    • Résumé
    • Supplementary information form
    • Transcript(s)
      • From each previous post-secondary institution.
    • Writing sample
  • References 
    • Number of references:  2
    • Type of references: 

      1 academic and 1 professional, or 2 academic
  • English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Degree requirements

    Master's Research Paper option:

  • Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)
  • Courses 
    • Core courses:
      • ECDEV 601 Economic development: Theories and frameworks
      • ECDEV 602 Economic development: Policy and practice
      • ECDEV 603 Analytical tools for economic development
      • ECDEV 604 Management and policy tools for economic development and sustainability professionals
    • Thematic courses:
      • ECDEV 605 Innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable business development
      • ECDEV 606 Innovation and economic development in cities and regions
    • Elective courses: it is recommended that students select 2 elective courses from the following list. Other elective courses must be approved by the Program Director.
      • ECDEV 611 Industrial location theory and concepts
      • ECDEV 612 Land development planning
      • ECDEV 615 Community economic development
      • ENBUS 612 Social entrepreneurship and scaling social innovation
      • ENBUS 642 Stakeholder engagement, collaborations and partnerships
      • INDEV 604 Sustainable cities
      • SUSM 630 Enterprise marketing and social accountability
  • Link(s) to courses
  • Capstone Project

    • Students must gain relevant professional experience by completing either:

      • An internship (equivalent to four months, full-time employment) with an external organization related to economic development or innovation. Students must complete a final report describing the activities they undertook and the lessons learned in relation to published literature.; OR

      • An applied research project with an external organization focused on an issue related to economic development or innovation. The research project is normally completed in 4-months. Students work closely with a partner organization to explore a defined research problem. Students must complete a research paper discussing the research they undertook and the lessons learned in relation to published literature.

      • The Program Director can approve the option for students to complete a major research paper (normally completed in 4-months) under the supervision of a faculty member.

Approved Doctoral Dissertation Supervisors (ADDS) list
School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED) website