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Business and Economics Co-op Program
Business and Economics co-op consists of three work terms of four months’ duration, between second and fourth year, enabling students to obtain 12 months of practical, full-time work experience. It has been designed to allow employers to have a position filled year-round by Laurier co-op students. Students apply for admission to Business and Economics co-op at the end of their first year.
Honours Business and Honours Economics
Laurier’s Business and Economics programs are recognized as both leading and innovative. Laurier programs use a variety of techniques, including case discussions, simulation games, visits by business executives and student projects. By providing a real-time laboratory in which to experiment and apply theoretical learning, the programs help students develop a better understanding of how to work together to analyze situations and manage organizations.
Academic Credit
Undergraduate co-op students in Business and Economics programs receive academic credit for participating in co-op. To obtain the co-op designation on your transcript you need to pass the co-op fundamentals course, receive a rating of at least satisfactory on each work term report and receive a rating of at least satisfactory on each performance evaluation.
What Students Say
“ From Laurier’s co-op program, I learned about the job search and interview process. Working as a financial analyst at Dealer-FX allowed me to improve my skills in Excel and Netsuite.”
Joshua Hsieh, Economics, Class of 2019
“The BBA co-op program gave me a unique opportunity to explore potential career paths and gain practical experience with top tier organizations, all before graduation. My work term at PepsiCo was a welcome introduction to the CPG industry, and helped me gain analytical ability.”
Adam Leader, BBA, Class of 2020
Co-op Work Terms
Each work term is developed in collaboration with the employer and approved by the Department of Cooperative Education as a suitable learning environment that will engage the student in productive work. Students apply to employers with whom they are interested in working. Employers are encouraged to interview on campus. Although employment cannot be guaranteed, every effort is made to ensure that suitable employment is available for students admitted to co-op.
The student's performance in the workplace is supervised and evaluated by the student’s employer. Co-op staff members monitor each student's progress during the work term. The co-op curriculum supports student learning goals, personal evaluation and reflection; students are required to set goals each term and write work term reports. Students are compensated by their employer for work performed.
Professional Recognition
The time spent on work terms is recognized as part of the experience requirements for the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. Honours Business and Honours Economics courses may be counted toward several designation programs, including the following:
- Chartered Financial Analyst
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA)
- Certified Human Resources Professionals (CHRP): Entry Level
- Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL): Professional Level
The Lazaridis School of Business and Economics has received the highest form of accreditation from the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International, whose standards are recognized internationally. Most of Laurier's Business and Economics co-op programs are accredited by the Canadian Asssociation for Co-operative Education.
Programs with Co-op
- Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
- Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics
- Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics and Accounting
- Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics and Data Analytics
- Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics and Financial Management
- Honours Bachelor of Business Technology Management (BTM)
Students in the Bachelor of Business Administration program learn to work in teams to tackle problems facing today’s businesses and tomorrow’s start-ups. Through class discussions, simulation challenges, case analysis exercises and presentations by executives, our business students become proficient at solving business problems.
Senior students in the Bachelor of Business Administration program choose one of the following concentrations to focus their studies:
Business Options
- Accounting
- Brand Communication and Management
- Business and Sustainability
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Human Resource Management
- Insurance and Risk Management
- International Business
- Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
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Year |
Fall (September-December) |
Winter (January - April) |
Spring (May-August) |
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1 |
Study Term | Study Term |
Break |
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2 |
Study Term | Study Term |
Work Term 1 |
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3 |
Study Term |
Work Term 2 |
Study Term |
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4 |
Work Term 3 |
Study Term | Study Term |
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Year |
Fall (September-December) |
Winter (January - April) |
Spring (May-August) |
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1 |
Study Term | Study Term |
Break |
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2 |
Study Term | Study Term |
Work Term 1 |
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3 |
Work Term 2 |
Study Term |
Study Term |
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4 |
Work Term 3 |
Study Term | Study Term |
Work Study Sequence: Honours BBA Co-op, Sequence Two
Business Administration students in Sequence Two begin their first work term in September and may apply to jobs lasting four or eight months. More than half the students we admit in 2024 will be assigned to Sequence Two.
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Year |
Fall (September-December) |
Winter (January - April) |
Spring (May-August) |
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1 |
Study Term |
Study Term |
Break |
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2 |
Study Term |
Study Term |
Study Term |
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3 |
Work Term 1 |
Work Term 2 |
Study Term |
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4 |
Study Term |
Work Term 3 |
Study Term |
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Year |
Fall (September-December) |
Winter (January - April) |
Spring (May-August) |
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1 |
Study Term |
Study Term |
Break |
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2 |
Study Term |
Study Term |
Study Term |
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3 |
Work Term 1 |
Study Term |
Work Term 2 |
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4 |
Study Term |
Work Term 3 |
Study Term |
What Students Say
“While promoting Canada Dry as a brand marketer at Keurig Dr Pepper, I gained hands-on experience running a targeted PR campaign, executing sample activations and onboarding creative agencies.”
Natasha Ramsinghani, BBA, Class of 2019
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First year: |
Second year: |
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Third year: |
Fourth year: |
The Lazaridis School's Department of Economics is committed to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and research, offering interdisciplinary programs that combine a traditional education in economics with the acquisition of skills in accounting, administration, or financial management. Students in Economics develop skills in mathematics and statistical analysis and the ability to convey findings powerfully.
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Year |
Fall (September-December) |
Winter (January - April) |
Spring (May-August) |
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1 |
Study Term | Study Term |
Break |
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2 |
Study Term |
Study Term |
Work Term 1 |
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3 |
Study Term |
Work Term 2 |
Study Term |
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4 |
Work Term 3 |
Study Term | Study Term |
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“I applied marketing concepts while analyzing distribution and merchandising strategies for Procter & Gamble, and in my marketing roles at Kao Canada and Conagra Brands Canada. I feel ready for a career in sales and marketing.” |
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Year One Introduction to MicroeconomicsIntroduction to Macroeconomics Calculus I Understanding the Business Environment Introduction to Financial Accounting |
Year Two Intermediate Microeconomics IIntermediate Macroeconomics I Economic Writing Introductory Statistics Introductory Econometrics Business Law Managerial Accounting Financial Management I |
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Year Three Taxation IIntermediate Microeconomics II Intermediate Macroeconomics II Applied Econometrics Intermediate Accounting I Financial Management II Intermediate Accounting II Strategic Management I |
Year Four Economics Paper and SeminarTaxation II Advanced Management Accounting Auditing Data Analytics and Accounting Information Systems Advanced Accounting Seminar in Accounting Advanced Equity Analysis I Entrepreneurial Finance Options, Futures and Swaps |
Students in the BTM program are equipped with traditional business skills, the latest knowledge of technology and courses in leadership and liberal arts. They learn to assess the value technology brings to an organization and how it can best be integrated with existing systems. Laurier’s BTM program has been accredited by the Information Technology Association of Canada.
All Brantford Campus BTM students admitted to Laurier in Fall 2024 or before who meet the requirements of the program are eligible to participate in co-op. BTM students complete an eight-month work term from September through April and a four-month work term from September through December.
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Year |
Fall (September-December) |
Winter (January - April) |
Spring (May-August) |
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1 |
Study Term | Study Term |
Break |
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2 |
Study Term | Study Term | Study Term |
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3 |
Work Term 1 |
Work Term 2 |
Study Term |
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4 |
Work Term 3 |
Study Term | Study Term |
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Year 1 Business in a Networked Society |
Year 2 Managerial Accounting |
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Year 3 Ethics, Technology and Organizations |
Year 4 Management of Information Systems
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What Employers Say
“Laurier’s Business Technology Management (BTM) co-op program has proven to be an excellent source of talent for our company. At Blue Link we require candidates who have a combination of business and technology skills, and Laurier’s BTM co-op students are an ideal fit: they have a keen interest and ability in both business and technology fields which positions them well to communicate clearly with both technical and business staff. They are willing to learn new skills and technologies and use them to solve real-world problems. I strongly recommend Laurier’s BTM co-op program for any company that is looking for candidates who can mix business and technology skills in fast-paced and cooperative environments.”
DARREN MYHER, CTO, BLUE LINK ERP
“We appreciate the partnership that RBC Technology & Operations has with Laurier to provide meaningful co-op opportunities for their BTM co-op students. The relationship is one of mutual success – we enjoy the fresh perspectives and eager attitudes they bring to our teams, and students leave their work terms with broadened horizons and expanded professional networks.”
SARAH LAW, SENIOR MANAGER, EARLY TALENT ACQUISITION, T&O, ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
What Students Say
“The Laurier BBTM co-op program gave me the experience I needed to succeed in today’s fast-paced business and technology industries.”
Andre Fischbacher, Honours Business Technology Management, Class of 2017
Students in the BTM program are equipped with traditional business skills, the latest knowledge of technology and courses in leadership and liberal arts. They learn to assess the value technology brings to an organization and how it can best be integrated with existing systems. Laurier’s BTM program has been accredited by the Information Technology Association of Canada.
BTM students complete an eight-month work term from September through April and a four-month work term from September through December.
|
Year |
Fall (September-December) |
Winter (January - April) |
Spring (May-August) |
|
1 |
Study Term | Study Term |
Break |
|
2 |
Study Term | Study Term | Study Term |
|
3 |
Work Term 1 |
Work Term 2 |
Study Term |
|
4 |
Work Term 3 |
Study Term | Study Term |
|
Year 1 Business in a Networked Society |
Year 2 Managerial Accounting |
|
Year 3 Ethics, Technology and Organizations |
Year 4 Management of Information Systems
|
What Employers Say
“Laurier’s Business Technology Management (BTM) co-op program has proven to be an excellent source of talent for our company. At Blue Link we require candidates who have a combination of business and technology skills, and Laurier’s BTM co-op students are an ideal fit: they have a keen interest and ability in both business and technology fields which positions them well to communicate clearly with both technical and business staff. They are willing to learn new skills and technologies and use them to solve real-world problems. I strongly recommend Laurier’s BTM co-op program for any company that is looking for candidates who can mix business and technology skills in fast-paced and cooperative environments.”
DARREN MYHER, CTO, BLUE LINK ERP
“We appreciate the partnership that RBC Technology & Operations has with Laurier to provide meaningful co-op opportunities for their BTM co-op students. The relationship is one of mutual success – we enjoy the fresh perspectives and eager attitudes they bring to our teams, and students leave their work terms with broadened horizons and expanded professional networks.”
SARAH LAW, SENIOR MANAGER, EARLY TALENT ACQUISITION, T&O, ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
What Students Say
“The Laurier BBTM co-op program gave me the experience I needed to succeed in today’s fast-paced business and technology industries.”
Andre Fischbacher, Honours Business Technology Management, Class of 2017
| Industry | Highest | Lowest | Average |
| Capital Markets | $1,923 | $750 | $1,024 |
| Chartered Accounting | $1,212 | $750 | $957 |
| Financial Institutions | $1,250 | $621 | $898 |
| Government/Non-Profit | $996 | $633 | $767 |
| Industry/Commerce | $1,288 | $579 | $807 |
| Technology/Telecommunications | $1,440 | $621 | $842 |
| Industry | Highest | Lowest | Average |
| Capital Markets | $1,923 | $579 | $1,108 |
| Chartered Accounting | $1,250 | $665 | $990 |
| Financial Institutions | $1,463 | $675 | $967 |
| Government/Non-Profit | $1,412 | $602 | $857 |
| Industry/Commerce | $1,288 | $579 | $857 |
| Technology/Telecommunications | $2,030 | $621 | $901 |
| Industry | Highest | Lowest | Average |
| Capital Markets | $1,923 | $750 | $1,288 |
| Chartered Accounting | $1,346 | $788 | $1,059 |
| Financial Institutions | $1,391 | $630 | $978 |
| Government/Non-Profit | $1,405 | $630 | $875 |
| Industry/Commerce | $1,688 | $595 | $921 |
| Technology/Telecommunications | $1,500 | $675 | $986 |
| Industry | Highest | Lowest | Average |
| Capital Markets | $1,731 | $962 | $1,216 |
| Chartered Accounting | $1,423 | $1,000 | $1,188 |
| Financial Institutions | $1,391 | $788 | $1,076 |
| Government/Non-Profit | $1,038 | $616 | $792 |
| Industry/Commerce | $1,050 | $602 | $883 |
| Technology/Telecommunications | $1,395 | $875 | $1,159 |
*BBA/Math, BBA/CS students can opt to complete a fourth work term
ACTUARIAL ANALYST, RETIREMENT CONSULTING, AON CANADA, TORONTO
Provide technical and analytical support, interpret pension plan texts, calculate benefit entitlements and prepare option packages.
ANALYST, CAPITAL REPORTING CO-OP, ALECTRA UTILITIES, VAUGHAN
Assist in controlling the corporate capital budget and provide information on project costs and estimates.
CORPORATE FINANCE CO-OP, ATS AUTOMATION, CAMBRIDGE
Assist in preparing journal entries and consolidated financial statements and reconciling general ledger accounts.
PRODUCT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST, AXONIFY, WATERLOO
Perform customer research, analyze market trends and communicate with customers and publishers.
FINANCIAL SERVICES ANALYST, BAYER CANADA, TORONTO
Analyze accounts, prepare income tax returns and oversee treasury reporting.
MARKETING CO-ORDINATOR, D2L INCORPORATED, KITCHENER
Draft and post marketing content, track programs and participate in the design of campaigns.
CO-OP ANALYST, EQUITIES, HARBOUR ADVISORS/CI INVESTMENTS, TORONTO
Create analytical tools to value assets and valuation models to screen securities for potential investments.
MARKETING INTERN, HENKEL CANADA CORPORATION, MISSISSAUGA
Lead marketing projects, develop trade strategies and analyze data for all laundry and home-care brands.
DEALER DEVELOPMENT INTERN, HYUNDAI CANADA, MARKHAM
Create presentations and reports on dealers and organize legal documents.
IT CO-OP, JOHN DEERE CANADA FINANCIAL INC., OAKVILLE
Analyze and evaluate business practices and information technology processes.
CPA CO-OP, KPMG, WATERLOO
Analyze and assess clients’ business processes and internal controls, and recommend areas of improvement
CONSULTING ANALYST CO-OP, CAREER REWARDS PRACTICE, MERCER, TORONTO
Analyze strategic, financial and organizational information about clients and conduct research into business strategies and compensation practices.
SUPPLY CHAIN CO-OP, PEPSICO CANADA, CAMBRIDGE
Co-ordinate packaging, implement efficiency initiatives and build scheduling tools.
CUSTOMER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT/SALES CO-OP, PROCTER & GAMBLE, TORONTO
Conduct research into pricing, distribution and loyalty programs, and prepare reports.
FINANCIAL ANALYST, RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, TORONTO
Perform financial modelling, forecasting and analysis, and participate in research, audits and consulting engagements.
GLOBAL CAPITAL MARKETS, SALES & TRADING INTERNSHIP, SCOTIABANK, TORONTO
Assist in preparing client pitches and market commentary, and support staff on the trade floor.
SALES ANALYST, SMUCKER FOODS, MARKHAM
Review competition, coordinate trade show events and mine point-of-sales data to analyze distribution.
HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT, STAPLES CANADA, RICHMOND HILL
Co-ordinate performance appraisals, maintain a resource library, screen and interview applicants and facilitate orientation sessions.
RETIREMENT ACTUARIAL INTERN, WILLIS TOWERS WATSON, TORONTO
Provide actuarial support on health and group benefits or retirement programs and perform pricing analyses.