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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.

Student Testimonials

“Participating in the co-op program has allowed me to build my network within the Canadian banking and consulting industries, develop my interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence and put theory from the classroom into action at the office. After one term at Mercer and two terms at RBC I will return to the bank for a permanent role upon graduation. Laurier has enabled me to jump-start my career.”

Victoria Barbosa, BBA, Class of 2017

"The BBA co-op program gave me the opportunity to experience a financial analyst role in my first work term at ConAgra Foods, and a marketing role in my second at Nestlé Waters Canada. This experience is helping me plan my career."

Adrian Pazdzior, BBA, Class of 2018

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)
  • Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL)

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. Laurier's Business and Economics co-op programs are accredited by Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL.) 

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 Financial Management
  • Honours Bachelor of Business Technology Management (BBTM).

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