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.
Term 1: Fall - Foundational Core I
Term 2: Winter - Foundational Core II
Term 3: Spring
Note: The Lazaridis MBA program endeavours to provide the best possible learning experience for our students, and as such, the admissions process is quite competitive. Keeping the faculty-to-student ratio low requires us to be very selective so that even those who meet the minimum admission requirements are not necessarily offered a place in the program. Our admissions committee is committed to reviewing each applicant from a holistic perspective as they aim to design the strongest cohort of MBA candidates. Past grades, test scores, references, and statements of intent are all important factors in their determination.
International applicants include all applicants that have obtained a previous undergraduate or master’s degree outside of Canada, and will be attending with a Study Visa.
Note: The Lazaridis MBA program endeavours to provide the best possible learning experience for our students, and as such, the admissions process is quite competitive. Keeping the faculty-to-student ratio low requires us to be very selective so that even those who meet the minimum admission requirements are not necessarily offered a place in the program. Our admissions committee is committed to reviewing each applicant from a holistic perspective as they aim to design the strongest cohort of MBA candidates. Past grades, test scores, references, and statements of intent are all important factors in their determination.
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: Fall - Foundational Core I
Term 2: Winter - Foundational Core II
Terms 3 and 4: Spring and Fall
Term 5: Winter
Note: The Lazaridis MBA program endeavours to provide the best possible learning experience for our students, and as such, the admissions process is quite competitive. Keeping the faculty-to-student ratio low requires us to be very selective so that even those who meet the minimum admission requirements are not necessarily offered a place in the program. Our admissions committee is committed to reviewing each applicant from a holistic perspective as they aim to design the strongest cohort of MBA candidates. Past grades, test scores, references, and statements of intent are all important factors in their determination.
International applicants include all applicants that have obtained a previous undergraduate or master’s degree outside of Canada, and will be attending with a Study Visa.
Note: The Lazaridis MBA program endeavours to provide the best possible learning experience for our students, and as such, the admissions process is quite competitive. Keeping the faculty-to-student ratio low requires us to be very selective so that even those who meet the minimum admission requirements are not necessarily offered a place in the program. Our admissions committee is committed to reviewing each applicant from a holistic perspective as they aim to design the strongest cohort of MBA candidates. Past grades, test scores, references, and statements of intent are all important factors in their determination.
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.
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.
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.
2.3 years (7 academic terms). Although the program is designed to be completed in 2.3 years, our flexible class schedules allow you to graduate as quickly as 20 months – or extend your studies up to 4 years.
Fall Term
Spring Term
Fall Term
Winter Term
Spring Term
Fall Term
Note: The Lazaridis MBA program endeavours to provide the best possible learning experience for our students, and as such, the admissions process is quite competitive. Keeping the faculty-to-student ratio low requires us to be very selective so that even those who meet the minimum admission requirements are not necessarily offered a place in the program. Our admissions committee is committed to reviewing each applicant from a holistic perspective as they aim to design the strongest cohort of MBA candidates. Past grades, test scores, references, and statements of intent are all important factors in their determination.
All international applicants are invited to apply to our Full-Time MBA degree and/or Full-time MBA with Co-op degree. Please note that Canadian Student Visas are only eligible for the one year Full-time MBA degree and/or the Full-time MBA with Co-op degree.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
