Program structure and curriculum

Yes, absolutely. Below is a complete list:

Accreditation-aligned BCom options

1. Accounting
   • Aligned with CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) designation requirements.
   • The curriculum covers the core competencies required for admission to the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP) in Ontario and other provinces.
2. Finance
   • Prepares you for designations such as:
     • CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
     • FP Canada certifications (e.g., QAFP™, CFP®)
   • Relevant coursework in investments, corporate finance and financial modelling.
3. Human Resource Management
   • Aligned with CHRP (Certified Human Resources Professional) designation requirements.
   • Courses are recognized by the HRPA (Human Resources Professionals Association) in Ontario.
4. Business Analytics and Healthcare Analytics
   • While not aligned with the requirements for one particular designation, these options prepare you for industry-recognized designations in analytics, such as:
     • Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
     • SAS or Tableau certification
   • Valuable for careers in data science, operations or health informatics.
5. Business Technology Management (BTM)
   • Recognized under the ITAC BTM Forum and aligned with industry standards in IT-business integration.

Supports future designations like CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) or PMI designations (e.g., PMP).

Yes. We offer a mix of in-person, hybrid and online course formats within the BCom program, although most courses are traditionally delivered in person on campus. However, we don’t offer any programs that are fully online.

In-person courses (standard format)

• The majority of BCom courses are taught on campus at the Desmarais Building in downtown Ottawa.
• In-person classes provide opportunities for real-time interaction with professors, group work and participation in on-campus activities.

Online and hybrid courses

• Some courses, particularly electives or introductory classes, are offered in fully online or hybrid formats.
• Online delivery can include:
  • Asynchronous classes (pre-recorded content)
  • Synchronous sessions (live lectures via Zoom or MS Teams)
  • Hybrid models (a combination of online and in-person components)

These formats give you more flexibility, which is especially helpful for working students, international learners or those with scheduling restrictions.

Yes! You have the flexibility to add a minor or take electives from other faculties at the University of Ottawa, to customize your degree and expand your skill set beyond business.

• A minor is a secondary field of study that typically consists of 30 course units (credits), which is generally 10 courses.
• You can choose a minor outside the faculty, such as:
  • Psychology
  • Communication
  • Economics
  • Computer Science
  • Public Administration
• A minor will appear on your official degree and can help you broaden your knowledge or specialize in a complementary field.

Example: BCom in International Management with a Minor in Data Science

Faculty, researchers and staff at the Telfer School of Management are known for being highly accessible and supportive, both in and outside the classroom. Telfer fosters a close-knit learning environment where you’re encouraged to connect with instructors and advisers regularly.

The French Immersion Stream allows you to take a portion of your courses in French while completing the rest in English. You must take at least one third of your courses in French throughout your program. This helps you develop knowledge related to your field in both official languages of Canada.

You can also receive qualitative grades for courses you take in French.

As well, all of our programs are offered in both official languages. You can choose to study in English, French or both.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the French Immersion Stream:

• You should have completed advanced courses in French as a second language in Grade 11 or 12 (or equivalent).
• You must choose a program that offers French immersion and apply through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), selecting the French immersion option.
• After receiving an offer of admission, you must pass the Immersion Entry Test, which assesses competence in reading, listening, speaking and writing in French.

Academic structure

• Course selection: You take a mix of courses in English and French. Many courses are available in both languages, allowing flexibility in course selection. Learn more about courses in French.
• Immersion courses: You have access to combinations of content courses taught in French and unique accompanying language courses to enhance comprehension and expression in French.
• Qualitative grades: You can opt for qualitative grades (Satisfactory / Not Satisfactory) instead of letter grades for up to eight courses taken in French during your first two years. This option helps maintain scholarship eligibility and reduces the impact on your grade point average.

Learn more about bilingualism and French immersion at uOttawa.

Yes! Telfer and the University of Ottawa offer a wide range of academic support services to help you succeed in your BCom coursework. This includes tutoring, study help, writing assistance and career coaching.

Academic support at Telfer

1. Telfer Academic Advising
   • Personalized help with course planning, degree requirements, academic standing and program options.
   • Book appointments or attend drop-in sessions.
2. Peer Mentoring Program
   • Connects you with experienced upper-year Telfer students who provide guidance, study tips and time management strategies.
3. Workshops and seminars
   • Telfer offers workshops on topics like exam prep, group work skills and case analysis, as well as a Quantitative Course Support Hub.

For more details, see our Student Services Centre.

University-wide learning support

1. Academic Writing Help Centre
   • One-on-one support for writing assignments, grammar, structure and citations in both English and French.
      -> Academic Writing Help Centre
2. Mentoring and coaching
   • Get help with study strategies, goal setting and dealing with academic challenges through the Peer Mentoring Program.
   • https://telfer.uottawa.ca/en/bcom/your-career-and-professional-development/telfer-mentorship-programs/peer-mentoring-program/
3. Workshops and study skills seminars
   • Offered year round to help you boost productivity, manage stress and improve performance.

Language and French immersion support

• If you’re in the French Immersion Stream, you’ll have access to the Immersion Mentoring Centre, conversation workshops and bilingual writing support.

Whether you need help with a tough assignment or just want to improve your study habits, there’s a support service ready to help. Learn more about uOttawa academic support services.

The Telfer Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) program is designed to blend academic learning with hands-on, real-world experience. From your first to your final term, you’ll participate in projects that develop practical business skills and prepare you for the workplace.

Real-world learning opportunities at Telfer

Co-op work terms

• Up to 16 months of paid work experience with employers in government, the private sector or non-profits.
• Jobs often align with your BCom option (e.g., marketing assistant, financial analyst, HR coordinator).
  • -> Learn more about co-op.

Consulting projects

• In upper-year courses like Strategic Management, you’ll work in teams to solve real business challenges for local organizations or startups.
• These projects often include presenting actionable recommendations to the client.

Case competitions

• Telfer students regularly compete in national and international case competitions, such as JDC Central, the Jeux du Commerce and Happening Marketing.
• You’ll analyze real business scenarios and pitch solutions to panels of industry judges.

Business simulations

• In courses like Operations Management or Entrepreneurship, you use simulations to make strategic decisions about finance, marketing, HR and supply chains.
• These immersive experiences help you understand the impact of your decisions across departments.

Capstone courses

• Final-year courses often include a capstone project, where you integrate knowledge from across your degree and apply it to a complex business issue.

Entrepreneurship and innovation projects

• Through the Entrepreneurship option or electives, you can build and pitch your own business idea, often working with mentors or local incubators like uOttawa’s Entrepreneurship Hub.

International exchanges or global experiences

• Study abroad for a term or participate in global business simulations and virtual projects with students from other countries.

For details on experiential learning at Telfer, learn more about your student experience.

We offer 10 separate options and two combined programs (BCom/JD and BCom/MSc) in the BCom program, allowing you to tailor your education to your personal interests and career goals. These options span key areas of business and emerging fields in analytics, health care and law.

Telfer BCom program options

Accounting
Prepares you for careers in public accounting, auditing, tax and financial reporting. Meets prerequisites for CPA designation.

Business Analytics
Focuses on data analysis, decision science and AI tools to support business decision-making.

Business Technology Management
Blends IT and business strategy, preparing you for roles in digital transformation, systems analysis and tech-enabled innovation.

Entrepreneurship
Ideal for aspiring business owners and innovators, with courses in venture creation, innovation management and small business operations.

Finance
Covers corporate finance, investment banking, asset management and fintech. Great preparation for CFA or careers in capital markets.

Healthcare Analytics
Combines data-driven decision-making with health sector knowledge. Ideal for students interested in health-care consulting or health systems management.

Human Resource Management
Explores talent development, HR strategy, organizational behaviour and employment law.

International Management
Prepares you for global careers with courses in cross-cultural business, international strategy and global markets.

Management
Offers a broad-based business education with flexibility across functional areas such as strategy, operations and leadership.

Marketing
Focuses on branding, digital marketing, consumer behaviour and market research.

Our Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) program offers several ways to customize your degree. Here’s how each academic path differs.

Option (also called a major)

• Your primary area of study within the BCom program.
• You must choose one of 10 options, such as Marketing, Accounting or Business Analytics.
• Each option includes a specific set of required courses and electives focused on that business field.
• Your option appears on your degree and diploma.

Example: BCom with an Option in Finance

Specialization

• A more focused or intensive study path within a broader option, sometimes leading to a dual credential (e.g., BCom/JD).
• Telfer uses “option” (featuring more electives and out of faculty courses) more  than “specialization.”
• In other uOttawa programs, specialization can refer to a focused stream that replaces broader electives.

Telfer example: BCom/JD (Commerce and Law combined program)

Minor

• A secondary area of study added to your degree.
• Requires approximately 30 units (credits), equal to 10 courses.
• Can be business-related but in another faculty (e.g., Minor in Psychology or Data Science).
• Gives you more breadth or complementary skills.

Example: BCom in Human Resource Management with a Minor in Digital Humanities

Microprogram

• A short, focused set of courses (usually nine to 15 units) that provides foundational knowledge in a specific area.
• Can enhance your degree with a practical skill set or explore a new interest.
• Doesn’t replace an option or minor but can be added to it.

Example: Microprogram Business Sustainability or Microprogram Management Consulting.

Summary table

For a full list of options, minors and microprograms available at Telfer and uOttawa, see the Telfer BCom program options or explore other undergraduate programs and combinations.

The Telfer BCom program offers two main structures: regular and co-op. Both lead to the same degree, but the co-op program includes work terms that alternate with study terms, giving you hands-on experience in real business environments.

Regular BCom

• Follows a traditional academic structure with eight study terms (four years).
• You complete all your coursework in sequence from first to fourth year.
• Ideal if you want to complete your degree as quickly as possible or prefer to pursue internships during the summer.

Duration: Typically 4 years (8 terms)
Focus: Academic learning with optional summer internships

BCom with co-op

• Integrates paid work placements in your degree program.
• You alternate between study terms and work terms starting in second year.
• You complete three or four work terms, gaining up to 16 months of full-time work experience before graduation.
• Admission is competitive with higher academic requirements and a separate application process during your first year.

Duration: Typically four and a half to five years
Focus: Academic learning plus real-world work experience
Bonus: Build your resumé, earn income and make professional connections before graduating.

Learn more about applying for co-op.

Email: coop@uOttawa.ca

Comparison table

For more details or to check your eligibility, discover co-op at uOttawa or learn more about Telfer co-op programs.