Trine University’s nationally recognized Ketner School of Business was named after alumni Ralph Ketner, who co-founded Food Town. Ketner SoB offers high-quality programs accredited through the ACBSP. Trine has invested over $155 million in improvements since 2000, including the $5.6 million Ford-Hall for business students. Ford Hall features smart classrooms and interactive break out rooms, excellent for group activities.
The average student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1, allowing professors to meet individually with students to discuss their career goals. Professors set the bar high, but serve as enthusiastic mentors along the way. Recent alumni are featured on trading cards that are shared with current students, so they can learn about the involvement and internships that led to where those graduates are today. Trine has an outstanding placement rate of 99.4% of graduates employed or in graduate school within six months of finishing their degree.
Education
Associate degrees are offered in Accounting and Business Administration. Bachelor’s degrees are available in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, Golf Management, Management, Marketing, and Sport Management. An entrepreneurial focus is embedded in the curriculum, but there is also specifically an Entrepreneurship minor, as well as minors in Coaching, Leadership, and Social Innovation. Experiential learning, such as teaching business lessons, working with clubs on campus, and a required internship component, are pivotal in preparing students to be successful in the real world.
Student Life
The ultimate accomplishment for business students is to become a Ketner Pioneer. These students stand out as leaders on campus and in the classroom. Some of the unique experiences these students are able to participate in include international internships, the Disney College Program, and the Beacon Fellowship Program. The members of the Accounting Club completed more than 100 tax returns through the VITA program in 2020. The Women in Business Club invites female executives to speak at their meetings. Other business clubs include Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society, Ehinger Fellows, Martin Executive in Residence, Sport Management Club, Tee It Up Trine, and the Trine Student Marketing Association.
There are several career fairs for business majors to secure internships with small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, and everything in between. Ketner students have interned at Commonwealth Associates, DuPont, and Honda. Career Services offers events such as LinkedIn Networks = Net worth, Addressing Implicit Bias, Lessons from Leaders, and National Intern Day Celebration. The Distinguished Speakers Series features business experts, accomplished alumni, and political leaders.
Online Programs
Graduate students can earn a convenient Master of Business Administration or the Lou Holtz Master of Science in Organizational Leadership fully online. Classes are eight-weeks long, and students may start during any session. These degrees can be completed within one year. The 30-credit hour MBA curriculum consists of 21 hours of core courses and nine credit hours of electives. Elective choices include Federal Tax Pass-Through Entities, Lean Six Sigma, and New Product Development and Innovation Strategy. Students are assigned personal career counselors and have access to the Career Cents podcasts, YouTube videos created by Career Services, and the Handshake job platform.
