Students seen on campus at Wilfrid Laurier University. (Wilfrid Laurier University) Wilfrid Laurier University

Lazaridis School of Business & Economics MBA

Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ont., and Toronto

November 1, 2018

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When it comes to variety, Laurier’s MBA program is hard to beat. The university’s Lazaridis School of Business & Economics offers a total of 10 specializations, with part-time and full-time degrees available at both its Waterloo and Toronto campuses.

Students can choose between a full-time on-campus program and a part-time alternate weekend schedule, designed for working professionals. Alternatively, younger students hoping to gain some work experience can enrol in the MBA with a co-op option, which allows them to alternate between in-class semesters and three-month working stints in their chosen field. Those hoping to achieve their CPA designation can complete an MBA program that allows them to complete both certifications simultaneously.

Students looking to tailor their experience further can choose to complete an independent directed studies course credit. Personalized coursework is created for the student, with the help of a faculty member, centring on a work-related interest or entrepreneurial idea. Students also complete an applied business consulting project, where they provide strategic guidance to a real client. Past participating companies include Walmart Canada, Hewlett-Packard and Nike.

The school’s international business management specialization is particularly well regarded. Students can achieve a course credit through a two-week business trip, designed to provide direct insight into doing business in another country. The trip involves meetings with business leaders, visits to their companies and manufacturing plants, and a chance to participate in a marketing meeting. In the past, students have visited Turkey, Vietnam, Dubai, China, India and Argentina.

Notable alumni include Iain Klugman, president and CEO of Communitech; Katharine Bambrick, CEO of the Ontario Trillium Foundation; and Danielle Voisin, executive director at JPMorgan Chase.

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