Let’s talk size. Classroom size plays a crucial role in the quality of education students receive. A smaller class environment enhances student participation, deepens engagement, and improves the overall learning experience.

At the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship, we are not a massive program with sprawling lecture halls or anonymous student rosters; we are not a typical college experience at all. And that is exactly what makes our programs so advantageous.

Our size isn’t a strategy; it’s our identity. As one of the few schools in the country solely dedicated to entrepreneurship, the Close School offers a tight-knit, focused community where students don’t get lost in the crowd. Instead, they gain direct access to faculty, more hands-on opportunities, and the kind of mentorship that kick-starts careers.

Here, being a part of a smaller program means a bigger impact on your learning, your ideas, and your future.

Deeper Connections, Richer Learning

In smaller settings, students experience an education that goes far beyond the classroom.

1. Personalized Attention
   With fewer students per classroom, professors have the time and capacity to truly recognize each individual’s strengths, challenges, and goals. Feedback becomes more thoughtful, guidance more targeted, and relationships more authentic.
2. Culture of Active Participation
   In smaller classrooms, every voice matters. Students are encouraged to engage by asking questions, challenging ideas, and bringing their perspectives to the table. This culture, which relies on student participation, creates a learning environment where innovation thrives.
3. Strong Peer Community
   When learning alongside a small group, connections grow fast and deep, which results in a more comfortable and supportive atmosphere. You don’t just work in teams, you learn about each other, build trust, share ideas, and create a lasting network.

The Synergistic Advantage with Experiential Learning

The true power of small classrooms is realized when combined with the Close School’s commitment to experiential learning. When these two elements are combined, they create a strong foundation for a successful career in entrepreneurship.

1. Maximizing Hands-On Opportunities
   When a professor leads an experiential practice, smaller groups mean every student gets more direct, meaningful involvement. Professor Scott Quitel’s class, Building Urban Resilience and Sustainability, gets students out of the classroom and into the community to use their innovative ideas to help local neighborhoods.
   We offer our students many opportunities to showcase their skills. The Proving Ground Expo is a recurring event that allows student small business owners the chance to market and sell their products. At the Close School, there are no “benchwarmers”. Everyone is a vital and active contributor.
2. Tailored Feedback for Iteration
   The entrepreneurial process is all about iteration. Ready, Set, Fail! (ENTP 205), teaches this mindset of analyzing failures to maximize successes. Having this take place in a small classroom setting where professors can provide detailed feedback on prototypes, business plans, and pitches multiple times, allowing students to master the art of failure and refine their concepts continuously.
3. Intensive Mentorship During Real-World Application
   Whether it’s Professor Robert Morier’s immersive entrepreneurial trips or starting up your influencer career with Professor Dr. John Wilson, small settings allow professors to serve as true mentors during these real-world application classes.
   No matter what your area of interest is, there is someone at the Close School who can share in that passion and give you vital support and advice to help make your dreams a reality. As professors closely observe students’ problem-solving skills in action, they offer immediate, actionable advice to guide them. This tailored guidance is invaluable for the Close School experience of learning by doing.

At the Close School of Entrepreneurship, we don’t just teach entrepreneurship — we develop entrepreneurs. Our small, hands-on classes offer more than instruction; they provide a platform for students to stand out, take ownership of their work, and truly shape their paths. This is a place where what you put in builds what you get out. Where drive, effort, and initiative are recognized and cultivated. While entrepreneurship can be studied anywhere, here you gain a head start through individualized attention, real-world experiences, and a community that supports bold ideas and lasting impact.