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Management (MSc)

waterloo

Our Master of Science (MSc) in Management is a 12-month program where you’ll combine coursework and a research project conducted under the guidance and mentorship of our internationally recognized scholars.

We offer a choice of three fields in Marketing, Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management (OB/HRM) or Supply Chain Management.

Our program is located in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business – the highest standard of achievement for business schools in the world.

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Program Highlights

  • You will have the opportunity to work closely with leading scholars and be involved with cutting-edge research throughout your studies. Building a strong research foundation (including exposure to different theories and methodologies) is important for success in your future career.
  • We only admit a small number of students each year to ensure that our students can receive the mentoring that they need to succeed in an academic career. You will receive personalized guidance and individualized attention as you develop your own research and prepare for your career.
  • Our faculty members devote an extensive amount of time and energy into developing our students’ research capabilities and skillsets. You will be encouraged to join projects that can build this foundation and provide you with opportunities to start building your résumé with conference presentations and publications.
  • Winners of major external awards (OGS, QEII and Tri-Council) may be eligible for top-up funding which includes the Dean’s Graduate Scholarship (total value exceeds $10,000).

Program Details

Program Structure

This program is normally completed in one year (three consecutive terms), during which time you will complete a major research paper.

Available Fields

Pursue your MSc in Management in: 

Marketing

Our Master of Science (MSc) in Management degree with a concentration in Marketing is designed for students who want to pursue a PhD with the ultimate goal of being an academic (e.g., professor) or pursuing a research-based career in industry (e.g., marketing research, consulting practice, analytics). MSc graduates can apply for an advanced standing in our PhD program.

The program provides foundational training in research methods relevant to analysis in scholarship or market research. In addition, the program offers rigorous scholarly training in core marketing fields such as marketing strategy, consumer behaviour, service & relationship marketing, and branding. The MSc program also offers students interested in a researched-based industry career to take a selection of courses from our other graduate programs such as the School’s Master of Management Analytics and MBA programs. Over a two-term period, students will also work under the supervision of one or more of our marketing faculty members on a Major Research Paper (MRP).

Those already having a professional or course-based master’s degree and wish to pursue a PhD may also apply to the research-based MSc programme.

For further details, consult our Graduate Faculty Coordinators:

OB/HRM

Our Master of Science (MSc) in Management degree program with a concentration in Organizational Behaviour (OB) and Human Resource Management (HRM) is designed for students who want to pursue a PhD with the ultimate goal of being an academic (e.g. professor) or having a research-based career (e.g. consultant or research analyst). Students who wish to become HR practitioners should consider our Canadian Human Resource Professionals (CHRP) designation or MBA program.

You will complete a minimum of six courses and an independent research project known as a Major Research Paper (MRP), which is conducted under the supervision of one of our faculty supervisors. Your supervisors are committed to providing exceptional mentoring by working with you one-on-one to develop your research skills.

Those already having a professional or course-based master’s degree and wish to pursue a PhD may also apply to the research-based MSc programme.

For further details, consult our Graduate Faculty Coordinators:

Supply Chain Management

Note: The Supply Chain Management field is not accepting applications for the 2025 academic year. Applications to start in Fall 2026 will be accepted beginning October 2025.

The discipline of Supply Chain Management asks fundamental questions about the production and delivery of goods and services while examining their impact on local, national, and global economies.

In recent years, the Lazaridis School has received more than $2 million from industry partners and government funding agencies in support of the supply chain management field.

This program is designed for those looking to launch an academic career by utilizing the knowledge and skills gained in this program to pursue a PhD in Supply Chain or Operations Management. Students may also leverage the skills acquired in their elective courses (which can be taken from our Master of Science in Management Analytics or MBA programs) for a career in the industry.

You will complete a total of ten courses including seven mandatory courses, two electives, and one major research paper (MRP).

Your MRP will be conducted under the supervision of one of our faculty supervisors who will help you develop your research, writing, and oral defense skills.

Research

Faculty Expertise

Our OB/HRM faculty are researching a wide range of topics, including: aggression, diversity, emotions, ethics, fairness, leaderships, power, performance management and personality.

Our Marketing faculty are conducting research in consumer behaviour, innovation, marketing strategy, brand management, services marketing, as well as marketing analytics and data modelling.

Research Centres

Many of our faculty are associated with research centres and groups such as the Centre for Supply Chain Management, the Centre for Strategic Leadership, the Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship and the Laurier Centre for Economic Research and Policy Analysis.

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"Immerse yourself in all Laurier has to offer while completing your graduate education. Enjoy the journey – remember to have fun too!"

Paula C. Fletcher, associate dean, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Let's Talk About Your Career

Thinking about your next move? Whether you want to grow in your current career or head in a new direction, we're here to help you figure out what comes next.

We offer virtual information sessions and one-on-one pre-application consultations to help you find the program that fits your goals. The sooner we connect, the closer you'll be to discovering how what's inside sets us apart and sets you up for success.

If you're applying from within Canada, you can book a one-on-one session with us anytime. International applicants need to attend a virtual information session before scheduling a one-on-one. All applicants will get helpful updates, resources and support to guide them along the way. 

Request a Pre-Application Consultation

Have a quick question? Contact us at lazaridisgradprograms@wlu.ca

Events Calendar

Full MSc/PhD Calendar

Admissions

Ready to take the next step?
Just follow our three-step admission process—we’ll walk you through how to apply and
get set for your first day as a grad student. 

  • Start: Fall (September)
  • Format: Full-time
  • Application deadline:
    • Application Portal Opens: October each year 
    • Early Application Deadline: Dec. 1 
    • International Application Deadline: March 30 
    • Domestic Application Deadline: July 15  

Applications received after the early application deadline are accepted and reviewed until capacity is reached or the final deadlines pass.

Your Next Steps

Start Your Journey Tuition and Funding Apply Now

Questions? Contact lazaridisgradprograms@wlu.ca.

Waterloo Campus

This program is available on Laurier's Waterloo campus.

Laurier's Waterloo campus is home to more than 19,000 graduate and undergraduate students. Tucked into several city blocks, this campus is walking distance to your classrooms, food, and various campus amenities.

Laurier is a leading force in research among Canadian universities, and many of our research centres and institutes are housed in Waterloo.

Learn more about Laurier's campuses.

Tuition and Funding

Regardless of the type of graduate degree program you intend to pursue, financial planning is important. At Laurier, we want to provide you with as much information as possible about a variety of scholarship and funding opportunities and equip you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.
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Careers

Our graduates have gone on to work in industry within their respective fields, or pursue further academic studies at the PhD level. Examples of jobs held by our graduates include:

  • manager, business analytics
  • bilingual resource manager
  • supply chain analyst
  • business development consultant

Your Path to Post-Degree Success

ASPIRE is Laurier's professional skills development training program for graduate students. The program helps you craft an individualized, extracurricular learning plan tailored to your professional journey and entry to the workplace.

Faculty

Learn about the interests and ongoing research of our faculty members. If their research interests you, email the professor directly to set up a meeting. Include information about yourself, your skills, your experience, and why you’re interested in their research.

Contacts

Lazaridis Graduate Programs Recruiters
Brenda Burns & Victoria MacKenzie

View a complete list of all faculty and staff in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics.

One-on-One Pre-Application Consultation

Thinking about applying? Domestic applicants can book an on-demand one-on-one pre-application consultation with us anytime. 

International applicants need to attend a virtual information session before scheduling a one-on-one consultation.

All applicants will get helpful updates, resources and support to guide them through the process.