ANGOLA, Ind.—Tri-State University is offering the first auctioneering degree in the United States. The four- year program has been established through a partnership with the National Auctioneers Association (NAA). The Bachelor of Science in business administration with a major in auctioneering can be earned at the TSU North (Angola) campus both online and on campus.

"This has been a dream of the NAA Board of Directors and of NAA's Education Institute Trustees, both of which have worked hard to make this a reality," said Harlan Rimmerman, NAA's director of education.

According to Dr. Jean Deller, dean of the University's School of Professional Studies, the NAA acted as an advisory committee to develop the new program, making it customized toward the needs of the auctioneering community.  

Students will work on the degree in three steps: general education classes, business core classes, which include finance classes, and then 11 specific auction courses, including State Laws, Introduction to Auctioneering, Auction Law, Real Estate Auctions, Appraising and others. Following coursework, students will serve an "externship," working directly with an auctioneer, Deller said.

Auction classes will first be offered in fall of 2007. However, students can begin working on general and business core classes in the fall of 2006.

For more information about the auction college degree, call the School of Professional Studies, 260.624.2420.