The program information below is valid for the winter 2024 term (January 1, 2024 - April 30, 2024).

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) 
  • Minimum requirements 
    • An Honours Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with at least a 75% standing; the undergraduate degree may be in Planning, Geography, Political Science, Business, Commerce, Economics, Sociology or other social sciences or other fields related to economic development.
  • 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
  • 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.