Master of Economic Development and Innovation (MEDI)

The program information below was valid for the spring 2023 term (May 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023). 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.

• Admit term(s) 
  • Fall
• Delivery mode 
  • On-campus
• Length of program 
  • Full-time: 3 terms (12 months)
  • Part-time: 6-9 terms (24-36 months)
• Program type 
  • Master's
  • Professional
• Registration option(s) 
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
• Registration option(s) information 
  • The typical course load for the full-time option is 3-4 courses per term.
  • The typical course load for the part-time option is 1-2 courses per term.
    • Students entering into the part-time option must submit a plan for degree completion and have it approved by the Graduate Officer within the first 3 weeks of classes.
    • Students changing to the part-time option must submit a plan for degree completion at the time of transferring and have it approved by the Graduate Officer.
• Study option(s) 
  • Master's Research Paper

• 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)

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 Entrepreneurship and Small 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

• Economic Development (ECDEV) 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.