Earn an MBA in Waterloo in only 12 or 16 months.
Since 1976, the Lazaridis Master of Business Administration (MBA) program has been delivering an innovative, world-class professional business education program. We were the first Canadian university to offer a one-year, full-time MBA program targeting candidates seeking to acquire the degree in the shortest timeframe possible. This is made possible by our highly integrated course and co-curricular features exposing you to different disciplines over the course of your degree.
This program can be completed in 12 months, but is easily extended to 16 months with a lower course load. Your academic advisor will work with you to earn this degree in the timeframe that works for you.
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 the knowledge and work experience to get the career you want.
The co-op program is designed for high-caliber, recent university graduates with less than two years of full-time work experience. If you need valuable real-life work experience or are interested in gaining experience in a new industry, the Lazaridis full-time MBA with co-op program will be the best choice for you. The eight months of work experience will provide an invaluable addition to your resume and give you the insights needed to help you make the right choices for your career path.
This program is designed to be completed in 20 months (12 months of coursework plus 8 months of co-op).
Updated April 2025
MBA Co-op applications re-open
Great news! We've added 10 more spots in our Fall 2025 MBA Co-op program due to popular demand. Applications will close once these spots fill. Get your application in quickly!
We will continue to review all applications for Fall 2025 that have already been submitted.
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.
Work while you earn an MBA two evenings a week.
The part-time evenings Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is designed for working professionals who want to earn their MBA while maintaining their full-time job. Classes are held twice a week in the evening so you can balance work, home and school-life. You will learn in small class sizes with other highly motivated candidates from diverse backgrounds, enabling the cultivation of future business contacts and lasting personal relationships. Your instructors will be experienced Lazaridis School faculty with strong industry backgrounds.
This program is designed to take 28 months but accelerated options are possible. The part-time MBA program has three start dates per year to give you as much flexibility as possible, for dates and application deadlines, please review the application process.
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:
