This cross-sectional study examined if there was a positive correlation between students' critical consciousness (CC) levels and their entrepreneurial self-efficacy. The study was conducted via a survey that had four parts, including the Critical Consciousness Inventory (CCI), the Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy Survey, open classroom (OC) environment, and student demographics. OC environment was used as an operant for CC pedagogical approaches in the entrepreneurship programs. Participants attended various community colleges in California; they were grouped as new students and students who were exposed to entrepreneurship programs at California Community Colleges. The data indicated OC environment, defined as a classroom environment where students felt free to discuss controversial political and economic issues, increased students' entrepreneurial self-efficacy by 6%. This study tested other hypotheses, but due to insufficient data, the results were not conclusive. One significant finding indicated there was a gap in entrepreneurial self-efficacy levels between male and female students. Recommendations emphasize further research and steps to take to close the entrepreneurial self-efficacy gap between male and female students. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]