College of Engineering, Business and Education
Ernest C. Trefz School of Business
Eleven programs from associate to master’s, with an ACBSP-accredited curriculum, active corporate partnerships, and student-run enterprises.
Business taught by people who have done it
Theory and application combined
The Ernest C. Trefz School of Business advances the practice of business through scholarly inquiry, innovative teaching, and applied executive mentoring.
Experiential learning at every level
From operating Purple Knights Coffee to corporate consulting for Alexion Pharmaceuticals and Beardsley Zoo, students master practical business leadership before graduating.
Academic Offerings
Degrees and Credentials
Explore ACBSP-accredited associate, bachelor’s, specialized master’s, and STEM-designated MBA pathways.
Undergraduate Degree Programs
9 programsGraduate Degrees & MBA
4 programsProjects and Experiential Learning
At the Ernest C. Trefz School of Business, students bridge theory and execution through real-world corporate consulting, community development initiatives, and student-run global enterprise.
Purple Knights Coffee
A student-run enterprise that responsibly sources, imports, markets, and distributes specialty coffee. Students manage international supply chain logistics, direct trade agreements, digital marketing, and financial reporting while ensuring livable wages for partner farming cooperatives.
Real-World Corporate Consulting
Students deliver strategic business plans, financial analyses, and integrated marketing communications for commercial and non-profit organizations across Connecticut and the Northeast.
Sustainable Community Impact
Partnering with regional organizations like Beardsley Zoo, Aspetuck Land Trust, and municipal departments in Bridgeport and New Haven to solve pressing economic and civic challenges.
Client Consulting
Applied Student Consulting Portfolios
Students work directly with executive leadership across healthcare, municipal governance, cultural institutions, and international cooperatives.
Healthcare & Pharma
Corporate and Clinical Systems
Strategic planning and administrative consulting with Alexion Pharmaceuticals, City of New Haven Health Department, and Bridgeport Hospital.
Applied Consulting
Civic & Municipal
Regional Economic Initiatives
Collaborative project management with the City of Bridgeport Communications Department and Seaside Gateway Trail development.
Civic Partnership
Cultural & Non-Profit
Community Organizations
Strategic marketing and operations plans for Beardsley Zoo Centennial, The Klein Memorial Auditorium, Aspetuck Land Trust, and Goodwill.
Non-Profit Strategy
Global Fair Trade
International Cooperatives
Direct trade, supply chain management, and agricultural economics with the AsoProLa Coffee Cooperative in Altamira, Costa Rica.
Global Enterprise
Academic and Industry Partnerships
Connecting students with premier global universities for dual degrees and leading Fortune 500 corporations for internships, project sponsorships, and career placements.
International Dual Degrees
Joint degree pathways with Pune Institute of Business Management (PIBM) in India, where students complete year one in Pune and year two earning an MBA at UB. Additional alliances include ENCG in Casablanca, Morocco, and Zhejiang University of Science and Technology.
Financial and Corporate Leaders
Direct internship and career placement pipelines with IBM, JP Morgan Chase, BlackRock, M&T Bank, and Pitney Bowes.
Consumer and Manufacturing Brands
Collaborative corporate engagement with Bigelow Tea, Conair Corporation, Subway World Headquarters, Sikorsky Aircraft, and Octagon Sports.
Executive Speaker Series
Connecting students, faculty, and alumni with distinguished C-suite executives, public policy leaders, financial regulators, and visionary entrepreneurs.
Monetary Policy & Research
Keynotes by Kartik B. Athreya, Executive Vice President and Director of Research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, exploring economic modeling and financial stability.
Public Policy & Law
Presentations by Connecticut Attorney General William Tong addressing corporate governance, state antitrust enforcement, and consumer protection.
Healthcare System Leadership
Strategic leadership sessions with Anne Diamond, President of Bridgeport Hospital and Executive Vice President of Yale New Haven Health.
Distinguished Speakers Archive and Symposia
Sports and Entertainment Business Symposium
Featured Bill Manning (President, Toronto FC and Toronto Argonauts), Brendan Donohue (President, NBA 2K League), and John Mathers (Bridgeport Islanders Management Consultant) exploring sports analytics and arena management.
Public Health Leadership Panel
Keynote discussions with Dr. Manisha Juthani (Connecticut Commissioner of Public Health) and Tom St. Louis (Director of Public Health Workforce Development) addressing pandemic response logistics and health equity.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Forums
Presentations by Cindi Bigelow (President and CEO, Bigelow Tea), Ben Zachs (Founder and Executive, Fine Fettle), Howard Saffan (Principal, Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater), and Peter Kozodoy (Author and Strategist).
Banking and Financial Policy Keynotes
Lectures by William Dudley (former President, Federal Reserve Bank of New York), Joseph Tracy (Senior VP, Federal Reserve Bank of New York), Chandler Howard (President and CEO, Liberty Bank), and John Traynor (CIO, People’s United Bank).
Accreditation & Standing
State and National Business Accreditations
The School of Business adheres to rigorous academic standards affirmed by state, regional, and specialized international accrediting bodies.
Regional Accreditation
NECHE Accredited
All degree programs are licensed and accredited by the Connecticut Office of Higher Education and the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Continuous Standing
Specialized Accreditation
ACBSP Reaccredited
Reaccredited through 2027 by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Baccalaureate and Graduate Degree Board of Commissioners.
Through 2027
Collegiate Member
AACSB Member Institution
The School of Business is an active member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), affirming ongoing curricular innovation.
Active Member
Public Disclosures
Accountability Reporting
Maintains annual disclosures on undergraduate and graduate retention rates, degree completion statistics, and program-level enrollment.
Annual Reporting
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