Determining the Best MBA Schools in Canada

What are the best schools for prospective business students in Canada? While the answer is subjective depending on individual needs and goals, there are a few ways you can begin to find out which MBA school works best to help you reach your goals whether you want a general MBA or an MBA with a CPA option. Not only do you need to look at the time needed to complete a program, but you must also look at other factors such as courses offered. It helps to look at the top ranked schools to begin your search.

For instance, York University tends to consistently rank as one of the top business schools in Canada. Its Schulich School of Business includes an international business MBA program that prepares students for business dealings far beyond the country's borders. Students have the opportunity to travel a region as they complete their studies. However, this program can take between eight to 16 months for full-time students who must also have two years work experience.

While looking at the school rankings can be a factor in helping you determine which school works best for you, it is also very important to take a closer look at individual schools to look at factors such as courses and connections. For instance, Laurier University has campuses in Toronto and Waterloo. It includes one-year MBA and international MBA programs as well as alternate weekend and evening options for students and gives them global experience in business. Students also have specialization options for fields such as accounting, financial management, marketing and strategic management.

HEC Montreal also ranks highly as one of the best MBA schools in Canada and is also the country's oldest business school. Two things make it stand apart from York: full-time students may complete the program in a year and it costs only a fraction of York's tuition costs even for non-Quebec students. In addition to English and French classes, this program also offers free Chinese language courses and attracts students from all over the world. Students also have a Campus Abroad course for first-hand experience in other countries. However, the program requires three years work experience.

Like York, Concordia University's John Molson School of Business requires two years work experience. However, like HEC, it also only costs a fraction of what York costs. Molson includes a number of useful resources in addition to its core and elective courses to its students including a sustainable internship program as well as its annual John Molson International Case Competition in which students can gain credits by working on an organizational committee.

There are many things to consider when determining the best MBA schools in Canada. Cost can play a factor in making a choice as well as time constraints. You have to decide if you are better off with courses like entrepreneurial finance, global operations and logistics, applied business research or human resource management when making your decision. In any case, a school must be compatible with your lifestyle and educational and career goals to be a perfect fit for you.

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