Once the Program Begins
1. Do I have the same class schedule every week?
No. You will be given a highly detailed schedule during orientation identifying when each class will take place, along with the readings that are required for that given day.
2. During the first term, do I take all 8 core courses at once?
No. Four courses run the entire Fall Semester: BU 601 (Strategy), BU 603 (Finance), BU 609 (Modeling Business Decisions), and BU 604 (Organizational Behaviour). The other four are consolidated into half a semester each: BU 607 (Accounting) and BU 606 (Economics) run from August to mid-October, and BU 605 (Operations) and BU 602 (Marketing) run from late-October to December. Therefore, at any given time, you only will have a total of 6 classes running concurrently.
3. What is a typical day like? Do classes run all day?
Students are divided into two sections: Purple and Gold. During the first term, you will have one class from 9:00am to 12:00pm and another class from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Usually, there is one day off per week. In your second and third terms students schedules vary based on electives selection. Classes run Monday to Thursday from 8:30am to 10:00pm and students have Fridays off for BU 610.
4. Are there final exams in the MBA program and when/where is the final exam schedule posted?
During the first term, you will have exams in both October and December. All exams are shown on the schedule you receive during orientation.
5. What are Mini ICE and Live ICE?
Mini ICE: This takes place within your first couple of weeks at Laurier. You are presented with a case and have three hours to complete it with your core team. You must do an analysis, identify recommendations, prepare a PowerPoint presentation, and present your group’s findings to a faculty panel. This is a great way to prepare for Live ICE.
Live ICE: The Integrated Case Exercise (ICE) is a week-long case study competition where executives from a real company come in and present a genuine business problem to students. Working in core groups, students then have one week to develop recommendations which are presented to a faculty panel. The groups with the best overall performance are selected to present their findings to the client. Through this competition, MBA students have the chance to integrate the management disciplines into a real-time problem-solving context, experience working world pressures, develop presentation skills, and interact with business executives.
6. What and where is the MBA lounge?
The MBA Lounge is located on the 2nd floor of the Peters building. This spot is generally used to do group work, individual work etc. There is a microwave and a fridge in the lounge and you need an access code to enter this space as this spot is only for MBA students. This access code will be emailed to you early in the semester.
7. What and where is the GSA lounge?
The Grad Lounge is the main campus social hub and study space for graduate students at Laurier, as well as being available for both grad student and external event bookings. It is accessible from the Quad and requires a valid Grad Student OneCard for entry. You can book the Grad Lounge for group work, large study sessions, or events by visiting http://www.wlugsa.ca/gradlounge.
8. Where do I find the book list for core classes?
The book list for the first semester will be part of your course outline when you get to campus during orientation week. You are not required to buy the textbooks at orientation, but you will want to buy the course package at that time which consists of cases and readings for all of your classes – this package alone will cost between $150 and $200 and will be available for purchase the first day of orientation.
For the following semesters, you can visit http://www.wlubookstore.com/textbooks/textbooks-info.htm;jsessionid=EE18D638F63C07B3BFF4742027849E44 to view textbook requirements.
9. How can I book library rooms and/or carrels?
You can book library study rooms at http://library.wlu.ca/booking. If there are no bookings available, you can contact the MBA Office who might be able to help you find another location. They will also be able to answer any questions pertaining to library study carrels if you wish to have one for study purposes.
1. How can I access academic journals from the WLU Library site?
As a student at Laurier, you have access to an array of academic journals through the WLU Library website. You can access these from the library or from home by using your OneCard to prove your identity. The web address for the academic journals on the WLU Library website is http://library.wlu.ca/articles.
10. What are the MBA Games?
Since 1988, the National MBA Games have been an annual Canada wide competition that brings together MBA students from across the country. There are three major areas of competition: Academic, Athletic, and Spirit. The Games are the largest gathering of MBA students in Canada and are usually held during the first week of January at the winner of the prior year’s university.
11. Does WLU MBA give out scholarships based on academic performance?
Yes, the WLU MBA program gives out scholarships based on academic performance in combination with financial need and various other factors. They can be applied for through LORIS under Student Services – Donor Supported Bursary Application.
12. How do I view future course offerings and specializations?
You can visit http://lauriermba.ca/current-students/ to do the following:
- View timetables for the winter and spring semesters
- Purchase used textbooks from past MBA students
- View course descriptions and materials
- View concentrations/specializations
- Look at blog posts from past students
13. What are BU 610 and the Not-for-Profit practicum?
BU 610 is a team-based research course designed to expose students to advanced management topics and issues in an integrated manner. A field study portion challenges students to develop their research and implementation skills through an applied business research project. Students will form their own team of 5-6 students and will choose a real life company from a pre-approved list and will then provide consulting services to this organization. For full time students, BU 610 runs from January to mid- July. For Co-Op students, BU 610 takes place during the final semester of study.
Additionally, students are required to individually complete 40 hours of volunteer work for a not-for-profit organization (NFP) that is chosen by the student. If this volunteer work and the accompanying report are not completed prior to the end of the MBA, graduation will be delayed. Contact Chris Maziarz in the MBA Office for more information.
Please note that there are NFP opportunities right on campus, such as Net Impact (http://www.netimpact.org/.)
14. Is there an international business trip?
You will have the option to take International Business (BU 669), in which you will be able to travel for two weeks to a destination which is chosen from a short list by students. The class of 2010 went to India and the class of 2011 went to China. The cost of the trip varies depending on the location, but can range from $3,500 to $5,000. Please contact the MBA Office for more information. (Please note that you can go on the trip even if you are not enrolled in BU 669).
15. How many electives do I take in the Winter and Spring semesters? Does this include BU 610?
Both Full-Time and Co-Op students are responsible for 10 electives (not including BU 610) split between both the Winter and the Spring semesters. Most students take five electives each semester.
16. Where can I obtain graduation information?
Please visit http://www.wlu.ca/page.php?grp_id=36&p=12501 for graduate information.
17. Can I take less than the full course load per semester (Part Time)
The minimum course load for part-time students to remain registered is one course per semester.
Entrepreneur Stream
1. When I am about to finish my integrated core, how do I apply for the Entrepreneur Accelerator Program?
Steve Farlow will hold an information session regarding this program and will bring applications which consist of one page that asks about your idea and about what you hope to achieve from the program as well as the amount of time that you have to spend. Once all the applications are received by the deadline a committee reviews the applications and only those that meet the criteria are selected to participate. Please note, if a student does not have an entrepreneurial business idea, there is still the possibility of admittance into the Entrepreneur stream as students might have the opportunity to work with start-up businesses.
2. When I am accepted into the Entrepreneur Accelerator Program, which courses do I register for to develop my business idea?
Register for the BU610 Section A(1) for part-time, and B(1) for full time. Even though you won’t attend the sessions with your cohort, you need to be registered to get credit.
3. When is the first meeting/class for the Entrepreneur Accelerator Program?
There is no need to attend the BU610 session. Steve Farlow will contact you to schedule a first meeting within the first couple of weeks of the term. The actual day and time will depend on your schedule and the schedules of the other members of your team.
CMA Stream
1. How does the MBA/CMA program work?
Completion of the first semester of the MBA is required. The program consists of specializing in Accounting through completing seven Accounting courses in the elective component of MBA (after completion of the CORE semester which includes ONE accounting course). These 7 courses consist of the following:
- Financial Accounting 1 and 2 (offered in 6 week blocks, both during Winter Semester)
- Management control
- Management Accounting
- Financial Information Systems
- Tax Management
- Advanced Accounting (accounting theory and financial reporting)
2. What are the fee breakdowns for the MBA course work, Strategic Leadership Program, and certification?
The MBA fees are paid to Wilfrid Laurier University whereas CMA fees for the Strategic Leadership Program and certification are collected directly by the CMA. Students must pay each respective organization their stated fees independent of one another.
Please visit CMA website for total fees and costs associated with the CMA program http://www.cma-ontario.org/index.cfm?ci_id=8618&la_id=1.
3. How long will it take for me to earn the CMA designation?
Upon completion of the CMA courses listed above, the strategic leadership program can be completed either in a one or two year format. The leadership program runs on weekends and a requirement of the program is that candidates to be actively working in a CMA-approved strategic role.
4. How is the strategic leadership component structured? What is the accelerated program?
The program is structured as a weekend course administered in select locations across cities. Classes are conducted on a bi-weekly basis. The purpose of the program is to equip students with strategic management capabilities through in-depth application of analysis of business and industry processes. The program is designed to build on functional and enabling competencies required in the role of a management accountant.
Strategic leadership program information can be attained through the CMA website and through CMA contacts. http://www.cma-ontario.org/index.cfm?ci_id=7774&la_id=1
The accelerated program is not designed for the MBA/CMA stream student. However for accelerated program information please visit the CMA site: http://www.cma-ontario.org/
5. How much do I have to pay additional for the strategic leadership component and accelerated program?
The strategic leadership program for the class of 2011 cost approximately $15,000 plus tax. The program over a two year period will cost approximately $8,400 plus tax. Full fee schedule is available through the CMA web address: http://www.cma-ontario.org/index.cfm?ci_id=8618&la_id=1 .
6. Why do I have to pay additional for the strategic leadership component?
It is necessary to complete the Strategic leadership program in order to attain a CMA designation. The CMA is requires fees to be collected separately from university tuition. All CMA candidates are required to complete the strategic leadership component in order to gain a CMA designation. The Strategic Leadership Program teaches and applies the practical and fundamental skills that are required for management accountants.
7. How does it differ from going through the undergrad route to do an accounting designation? What would be the time difference?
There is a certain degree of overlap between the courses required as in the undergrad program. However the MBA/CMA combination enables students to fast track to the designation over a shortened period. The designation can be obtained within 2 years of starting the full-time MBA program. In two elective terms, MBA students can obtain all the required coursework to enter into the strategic leadership program. The strategic leadership program can be completed in either one or two years.