Learning the family business often starts at a young age. Well before high school graduation, the next generation watches its parents or grandparents run the business. They may even lend a hand. That's how you learn the family business.

For hundreds of years, that has been the formula. In the last decade or so, a new phenomena has materialized—transforming the educational landscape for families already in business as well as their children considering entering the business. Colleges and universities across the United States are hosting family business centers as a resource for families seeking to improve their operations. A few also have taken family business into an academic classroom realm.

"Being a family business owner can be extremely isolating," says Jodi Waterhouse, director of the University of San Diego's Family Business Forum.

She explains that family business owners tend to operate in a more cocoon-like state because they're typically a closely held company and don't want to reveal their business financials and other protected information. They also may not want to air their personal problems as well.

At family business centers, a new playing field is created. "We encourage entire families to learn from family business experts and each other," Waterhouse says.

San Diego's forum was one of only six in the country in 1992. Today more than 100 exist across the United States and another 100-plus internationally.

Now one of seven in the state, the San Diego forum offers about 10 programs a year, Waterhouse says. By far the most popular are the "Tales from the Trenches," which involve family business owners and leaders. "The families eat this up. They say, 'Thank God I'm not alone.'"

She also notes that no matter the size of the family business, they all are in the same boat. Forum attendees represent businesses with 10 to 1,500 employees and annual revenues topping $300 million. "The 10 can learn from the 1,500 and the 1,500 can have a light bulb moment from the 10," Waterhouse says.

In rural Montana, the numbers and land are vastly different, but the themes are the same at the Montana Family Business Program based at Montana State University.

"The families feel even more isolated," says Nancy Dodd, program director.

The Montana program hosts an annual gathering so the family business owners can come together, share their trials and tribulations and honor each other with awards.

Established in 1987, The Institute for Family Business at Baylor University focuses on assisting existing family businesses. It hosts numerous seminars and forums, says director J. David Allen. Currently, it is developing an executive education curriculum for a multi-day course for family-controlled enterprises. In addition, the institute advises family businesses on a modest basis and connects them with reliable professional counselors.

Allen says a large number of Baylor students come from family-controlled enterprises and intend to work in them. That's a primary reason that the university brought its family business lessons into the classroom with Entrepreneurship 4320, "Managing the Family Business."

This past year, Florida-based Stetson University became the first school to offer a major in family business. It still offers a minor in family business. Stetson's Family Business Center Director Greg McCann says their research showed 37 percent of their students had parents who owned a business.

"Parents invest $100,000 (tuition, room and board) in a college education and most schools don't give their students two hours about family businesses," McCann says.

The structure of Stetson's program is rigorous. A family business board counsels the school on potential curriculum. One criteria for students who major or minor in family business is an internship at a family business. The catch is the family cannot be the student's family—a concept supported by the board.

In the program's first course, "The Family Business Profile," students must complete a 30-page development plan to assess themselves, clarify their values related to career choice and address related issues.

Other classes include a legal and practical family business class taught by a practicing attorney, as well as those focused on unique areas such as family councils, family systems, etc.

Upon graduation, only a few have gone directly into the family business. The others have chosen to start their careers outside the family. "What young people need to realize is that your parents can't give you credibility," McCann says.

Of course, while parents want their children to learn and improve the family business, there can be a hesitancy. McCann says he overheard one dad saying, "These kids know a lot and it's a bit intimidating." e