About

Lazaridis Hall exterior at dusk.

The Lazaridis School of Business and Economics is one of the most prestigious and selective schools in Canada. We teach our students to think for themselves, ensuring they can adapt to a world of ever-growing complexity. Our alumni are making a difference in the world – and you can, too.

We have approximately 6,000 students enrolled in our full- and part-time undergraduate, graduate, and diploma programs, making us one of the largest business and economics schools in Canada.

Accreditations and Professional Designations

AACSB Accreditation

AACSB logoThe Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is a global, non-profit membership organization devoted to the advancement of management education. AACSB-accredited schools have the highest quality faculty, relevant and challenging curriculum, and provide educational and career opportunities that are not found at other business schools.

The Lazaridis School of Business and Economics is AACSB accredited. AACSB accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. Less than 6% of the world's 13,000 business programs have earned AACSB Accreditation. AACSB-accredited schools produce graduates that are highly skilled and more desirable to employers than other non-accredited schools.

Professional Designations

The Lazaridis School has strong connections with many professional organizations to help you explore different career pathways post-degree and achieve complex professional designations with additional requirements:

  • Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA)
  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
  • Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP)
  • Canadian Professional Sales Association (CPSA)

Lazaridis Hall

Opened in 2016, Lazaridis Hall is LEED Gold Certified and has earned numerous awards and international recognition. Thanks to the atrium's tremendous glass dome roof, the interior spaces of Lazaridis Hall are filled with natural light that bounces off the beautiful wooden features to create a warm and inviting space to learn and study in. 

Learn more about Lazaridis Hall

Lazaridis Hall exterior entrance at night.

Mike Lazaridis

35 Million 'Thank Yous'

From our 300+ faculty and staff, 7,000+ students and 32,000+ alumni – thank you, Mike Lazaridis for investing in us. 

Mike Lazaridis is internationally known for creating the ground-breaking BlackBerry smartphone, building BlackBerry into an $18-billion global business, and reshaping the global mobile communications industry.

He is currently a founding partner in Quantum Valley Investments, a Waterloo-based fund that focuses on the commercialization of breakthrough technologies in quantum information science and which seeks to support Waterloo Region’s growing reputation as the “Quantum Valley.”

Quick Facts

  • 5,924 students enrolled in Lazaridis School programs.
  • 156 full-time faculty.
  • 78 part-time faculty.
  • 59 full-time staff.
  • 36,930 alumni.
  • 1966: School of Business and Economics established.
  • 2015: School named for Mike Lazaridis.
  • 2016: New home for Lazaridis School opens.
  • 97%: Placement rate for Business Administration graduates.
  • 93%: Placement rate for Economics graduates.
  • 89%: Placement rate for BTM graduates.