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    • Master of Business Administration
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    Master of Business Administration
    • Why Lazaridis?
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    Program Formats

    One Degree, Multiple Program Formats

    Located in the centre of Canada’s technology triangle, the Lazaridis MBA program offers you the chance to become part of one of Canada’s largest internationally-accredited business schools built on a reputation of industry leading research, award-winning dedicated faculty and a superior student experience.

    We’ve pioneered MBA design features that are now industry standard, such as the common core curriculum, and continue to provide students with a combination of industry-leading instruction, practical experience and small classes across multiple delivery formats.

    With the added support of career service and professional development activities, you can develop the personal management skills needed to become a confident, well-rounded business professional.

    The part-time MBA formats are designed for working professionals who want to earn their MBA while maintaining their full-time job. Earning your MBA while you continue to work provides you with the opportunity to immediately apply the knowledge you gain in the program to issues facing you daily in your workplace.

    Delivery Options

    • Full-Time
    • Full-Time + Co-op
    • Part-Time Evenings
    Watch: Waterloo Programs
    Learn about the program options delivered on our Waterloo campus.
    Watch: Waterloo Programs
    Learn about the program options delivered on our Waterloo campus.

    Full-Time MBA

    Earn your MBA in Waterloo in just 12 months.
    Designed for professionals with more than two years of full-time work experience, the Lazaridis Full-time MBA helps you accelerate your career with a rigorous, integrated curriculum and real-world application. You’ll start in September at our Waterloo campus and can complete the program in just 12 months (3 terms) or choose to extend to 16 months if you prefer a lighter course load. Since 1976, our program has delivered a career-focused, world-class business education and was the first in Canada to offer a one-year, full-time MBA. You'll graduate with cross-disciplinary skills, practical insights, and the confidence to take your next big step. 

    Full-time MBA: Three or four academic terms.
    This schedule reflects the 12-month, three-term option.

    Term 1: 

    • Business Analytics
    • Financial Management
    • Financial Reporting and Analysis
    • Operations Management
    • Strategic Management

    Term 2: 

    • Marketing
    • Organizational Behaviour
    • 2 electives
    • Capstone Applied Business Research (project) + Not-for-profit practicum

    Term 3:

    • 4 electives
    • Capstone Applied Business Research (project) + Not-for-profit practicum

    Full-Time MBA + Co-op

    Gain real-world experience while earning your MBA.

    The co-op MBA program is designed for recent graduates with less than two years of full-time work experience who are ready to strengthen their resumes and jump-start their careers. Over 20 months you’ll complete 12 months of academic coursework and 8 months of paid co-op work experience, allowing you to apply your learning in a professional environment, explore new industries, and build career clarity. Classes begin each year in September at our Waterloo campus. You’ll graduate with both the academic foundation and hands-on experience that will set you apart in today’s job market. 

     

    Twenty months (three academic terms and one paid eight-month work term).

    Term 1:

    • Business Analytics
    • Financial Management
    • Financial Reporting and Analysis
    • Operations Management
    • Strategic Management

    Term 2:

    • Marketing
    • Organizational Behaviour
    • 3 electives

    Terms 3 and 4:

    • Co-op work term of eight months

    Term 5:

    • 3 electives
    • Capstone Applied Business Research (project) + Not-for-profit practicum

    Canada's Largest Business Degree Co-op

    Wilfrid Laurier University is the home to the first business co-op program in Ontario and is now the largest business degree co-op program in Canada. We earned accreditation from the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education for meeting high program standards. The Lazaridis full-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) with co-op program is the first MBA co-op program in Canada to receive this prestigious accreditation.

    Jump Start Your Career

    In any given year, we are proud to offer more than 5,700 job postings from over 1,000 organizations. Many of Canada’s leading companies are attracted to the reputation of the Lazaridis business co-op program which often leads to full-time employment opportunities.

    Part-Time Evenings

    Balance. Flexibility. Impact.

    Designed for working professionals, the Lazaridis Part-Time MBA lets you advance your career without putting it on pause. Delivered in person at our Waterloo campus, the program offers a flexible evening schedule that adapts to your life whether you want to fast-track your studies or spread them out over time. You’ll learn in small, engaged classes from faculty with real-world experience, alongside peers from diverse industries. With three annual start dates and the option to complete your degree in 20 months to 4 years, you can shape your MBA journey around your goals.

    Program Design

    • Start classes in January, May or September
    • Offered on campus in Waterloo
    • Flexible options to complete the program in 20 months (accelerated option), 2.3 years, or extend it as yourlife changes and take courses over 4 years
    • Classs are held in the evenings from 7 to 10 p.m.

    Please note: This part-time MBA program is not available to international applicants requiring a Canadian study permit. International applicants are invited to apply to our Full-time MBA or Full-time MBA wiht Co-op programs.

    This schedule reflects an eample of course progression for students who begin in September and take two courses per term, continuously.

    Term 1:

    • Financial Reporting and Analysis
    • Organizational Behaviour
    Term 2:
    • Financial Management
    • Business Analytics

    Term 3:

    • Marketing
    • Operations Management

    Term 4:

    • Strategic Management
    • One elective

    Term 5:

    • Two electives
    • Begin Applied Business Research (project) + Not-for-profit practicum

    Term 6: 

    • One elective
    • Complete Applied Business Research (project) + Not-for-profit practicum

    Term 7:

    • Two electives

    Foundational Core

    Our foundational core curriculum teaches students the essential areas of business. The integration of these core concepts reflects how businesses work in the real world and sets you up with the skills to excel not only in your MBA, but in your future career.

    • Strategic Management
    • Marketing
    • Financial Management
    • Organizational Behaviour
    • Operations Management
    • Financial Reporting and Analysis
    • Business Analytics

    Electives

    As part of your Lazaridis MBA, you will have the opportunity to select up to six electives from a wide selection of courses covering all areas of business functions. For a full list of potential elective courses, review our course offerings.

    Courses and Concentrations

    The Lazaridis MBA program offers five concentrations for you to customize your studies and align the program with your career goals. You may declare up to two concentrations from the following options.

    This concentration focuses on using business analytics to understand the operations and outcomes of your organization’s practices. This concentration will teach you how to produce and interpret data and use it to take decisive action.

    To earn this concentration, complete three of the following courses:

    • BU655: Managing Innovation and Technology Transfer
    • BU665: Advanced Business Analytics
    • BU671: General Managers in Action
    • BU702: Data-Driven Marketing
    • BU618: Personnel Analytics for Managers

    This concentration focuses on the logistics of business operations. You will gain a practical and theoretical understanding of how to apply an analytical lens to business challenges such as supply chain logistics, marketing, or operations management.

    To earn this concentration, complete three of the following courses:

    • BU635: Global Operations and Logistics
    • BU642: Marketing Strategy
    • BU645: Supply Chain Management
    • BU652: Consumer Behaviour
    • BU662: Marketing Research
    • BU665: Advanced Business Analytics

    This concentration is designed for learners looking to start their own company or bring an innovative mindset to their organization. You will gain a valuable entrepreneurial toolkit centred around accounting, organizations design, scaling, and incorporating innovation into your business venture.

    To earn this concentration, complete three of the following courses:

    • BU611: Entrepreneurship
    • BU613: Entrepreneurial Finance
    • BU631: Social Entrepreneurship
    • BU635: Global Operations and Logistics
    • BU661: International Strategy
    • BU675: Project Management
    • BU699: Design Thinking

    Building on the foundational accounting course in this program, this concentration will teach you advanced practices in finance and accounting management to ensure the financial and operational success of your organization.

    To earn this concentration, complete three of the following courses:

    • BU620: Managerial Decision Making
    • BU643: International Financial Management
    • BU647: Tax Essentials for Professionals
    • BU663: Advanced Corporate Finance
    • BU673: Investment Management

    This concentration will equip you with advanced leadership techniques and help you gain a managerial perspective centred around strategy, leadership, negotiation, and organizational change.

    To earn this concentration, complete three of the following courses:

    • BU614: Negotiation and Conflict Management
    • BU628: Leadership
    • BU678: Human Resources Management
    • BU701: Competitive Strategy for a Sustainable World
    • BU731: Corporate Governance
    • BU741: Corporate Strategy
    • BU703: ESG Finance

    Interested in More Info?

    Request a Pre-Application Consultation MBA Events Application Process
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