A flow chart showing three streams toward the Economic Developer's Association of Canada (EDAC)'s Ec.D. designation. The streams are by years of experience and show University of Waterloo programs that help qualify candidates to write the exam.
Under one year of experience:
- Graduates of the Local Economic Development master's program may write the exam if they have one year of experience.
Under three years of experience:
- Candidates must collect 45 points.
- Year 1 and Year 2 provide 20 points.
- Seminars provide 6-8 points.
- Relevant bachelor's degrees provide 10 points.
- Relevant graduate degrees provide 5 points.
Under 10+ years of experience:
- Experienced candidates are eligible to write the exam with just Year 2 (including the associated paper).
The three streams merge and pass through a checkpoint specifying that candidates must be an EDAC member in good standing. The final step is to write the exam and pass with a minimum grade of 75%.