Idea Transcript
Community Development Institute vs . Economic Development Institute CDI EDI Curriculum & Structure CDI is a three session EDI is normally a three program, with participants session program, but now moving through the that some of the courses program in cohorts. can be completed online this is not always the case Online classes? No for every participant. The Required introductory participants are not course? No arranged in cohorts in the Number of years in same way they are at CDI. operation: 25 Online classes? Yes Choice of elective Required introductory courses? No course? Yes Number of days per Number of years in session: 4-5 operation: 50 Managed by: University Choice of elective Handbook and courses? Yes curriculum info: Number of days per Handbook is provided as session: 4-5 part of the session 1 Managed by: University registration fee. The chapters are relatively Handbook and brief, and were updated in curriculum info: Each 2006. Additional course has its own handbooks can be handbook that must be purchased for $40, and are purchased separately and only available as a CD is not included as part of ROM. the registration fee. Each handbook is very in-depth and is necessary to purchase to prepare for the CEcD exam. The cost is $75 each, and they are available in hard copy only. These chapters are currently being updated. Cost
$1,800 for all three sessions, plus travel expenses.
Target Audience
City or elected officials, community planners and organizers, nonprofit officials, community foundations, Chambers of Commerce and other community and
$4,050 for all three sessions in face-to-face format, plus travel expenses. Economic development professionals
Geographic Market Certification
Governance
economic development officials. Regional Cost: $225, which includes a study guide Exam features: 100 multiple choice questions Exam eligibility: 3 years of experience in field plus professional development requirements
Mentor Program
International Cost: $495 (IEDC members), $695 (nonmembers). Separate costs associated with purchasing IEDC manuals and optional review course. Exam features: Essay, short answer, multiple choice, and oral interview by a panel of ED professionals Exam eligibility: 4 years of experience in field plus professional development requirements
Governing body: Community Development Council CDC activities: Oversee CDI curriculum and PCED certification Other oversight bodies: CDI Advisory Board, which has some involvement in planning and curriculum. Director employed by university.
N/A
Governing body: International Economic Development Council IEDC activities: International member organization; oversees curriculum and certification for EDI; offers 1-2 conferences per year (not the same as EDI). Other oversight bodies: Board consisting of a Dean (like a board chair with a two year term), curriculum chair, and mentor development chair. Director employed by university. Participation in the EDI mentor program is optional. Each entering participant is assigned a mentor who advises on and promotes IEDC membership and completion of the CEcD exam. An
ongoing mentorship relationship beyond EDI is encouraged. Final Analysis Attending the Economic Development Institute is important for economic developers, and their organizations, though it does require an investment of resources. If you are an economic developer for a community, you should attend EDI if at all possible. Is EDI a competitor with CDI? In some ways, the answer is ‘yes.’ EDI competes with CDI for a place in an organization’s training budget. There are also many structural and governance similarities between the two programs, which makes them appear to be in a competitive posture. However, I do not see CDI and EDI as an either/or choice for professionals in the field. All economic development professionals are part of our target audience, and it is also the target audience of EDI. These ED professionals would get significant benefits from attending both programs. However, many people in CDI’s target audience should not attend EDI. Therefore, our target audience is much larger than EDI’s target audience. Additionally, while our curriculum is not as deep as EDI’s, it is much more comprehensive. Community development and economic development are two sides of the same coin. The main competitive advantage of CDI over EDI is that CDI recognizes and trains on a holistic approach to community and economic development, while EDI is still focused on a more traditional, recruitment model of development that is not necessarily a sustainable strategy for many of the communities and professionals we encounter.