About EDI

OU Economic Development Institute (EDI) provides an aggressive instruction program through Online Courses and traditional, in-person Institute settings.

OU EDI is an executive development certificate program that has been the primary professional training program for those in the economic development business since its creation.

Established in 1962, OU EDI, the only professional-level program in the U.S., provides professional economic development professionals with up-to-date knowledge and tools necessary to succeed in today's constantly changing economic development marketplace. The OU EDI experience is designed to immediately impact a participant’s professional career by providing comprehensive courses that align with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) manuals, as well as the latest trends in economic development

Industry-Leading Instructors

To ensure participants' proper educational experience and instructional insight, OU EDI draws its instructors from the ranks of today's leading economic development practitioners and educators. Innovative economic development organizations want solid, well-grounded professionals, and OU EDI provides the education professionals need to build careers in this exciting field.

Flexible Scheduling

OU EDI is also a well-recognized economic development certificate program. To graduate and earn an OU EDI certificate, participants must complete 117 course hours through OU EDI. We offer online courses and a traditional, in-person institute setting. Online courses allow participants to complete a course from home, work, or during travel and at a convenient time. The courses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Participants and the instructor interact through discussion posts, emails, and case studies.

OU EDI’s flexible course schedules are ideal for international participants, as 72 of the required 117 hours can be completed online. International participants receive the same level of dynamic instruction but also get to engage with other participants worldwide and save travel expenses. Learning from and sharing with peers from across the world is an invaluable experience in itself.

Participants can complete the 45 remaining hours and graduate by attending one in-person OU EDI Institute. Each Institute is an in-depth, five-day training full of interaction, providing participants with an opportunity to develop long-standing relationships with those in the field and interact with instructors and mentors who are leading economic development practitioners. Participants will not find this level of knowledge or individuals investing in them and their careers anywhere else.

Accredited Program

OU EDI is accredited by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). For more information about the IEDC, visit their website.

EDI Board of Directors

EDI Instructor Roster