How can I run a program from a batch file without leaving the console open after the program starts?

Use the start command to prevent the batch file from waiting for the program. Just remember to put a empty double quote in front of the program you want to run after "Start". For example, if you want to run Visual Studio 2012 from a batch command:

Start ""  "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 11.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe"

notice the double quote after start.

You can use the exit keyword. Here is an example from one of my batch files:

start myProgram.exe param1
exit

Look at the START command, you can do this:

START rest-of-your-program-name

For instance, this batch-file will wait until notepad exits:

@echo off
notepad c:\test.txt

However, this won't:

@echo off
start notepad c:\test.txt