About the Program
Creativity and Change Leadership Department
Chase Hall 248, (716) 878-6223
https://creativity.buffalostate.edu/
The Creativity and Change Leadership Department, and its Center for Applied Imagination, credentials creativity through a diverse menu of programs that cultivate skills in creative thinking, innovative leadership practices, and problem-solving techniques. The department, through the process of creative thought, enhances an individual’s ability to imagine new ideas by learning how to envision that which cannot be immediately seen. This internationally recognized academic department offers a series of courses that lead to a master of science degree in Creativity and Change Leadership, as well as graduate certificate in creativity and change leadership (see next program). These unique graduate programs attract students from business, education, and many diverse fields. Both the master of science and advanced graduate certificate are available through on campus courses, for those who reside in Western New York, and fully online (i.e., all courses offered in online synchronous format) for those around the world. The distance program has been delivered to busy professionals for more than 20 years and has attracted students from across the United States and from such countries as Australia, China, Colombia, South Africa, Brazil, Canada, Italy, England, Pakistan, Denmark, The Netherlands, and Singapore.
The required courses give all students an opportunity to develop practical leadership, facilitation, training/teaching, and problem-solving skills, while the selection of electives allows students to concentrate on acquiring knowledge and skills in another area of specialization (e.g., education, business, organizations, communications, data analysis and storytelling, conflict resolution, etc.). The creativity and change leadership program challenges students to develop their creative talents and to become leaders of change in their professional lives. Visit the Creativity and Change Leadership website for more information.
Visit the Creativity and Change Leadership website for more information.
About the Creativity and Change Leadership Department
244 Chase Hall
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-6223
Fax:
https://creativity.buffalostate.edu/
Admission Requirements
1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (4.0 scale). Preference is shown to those with GPAs of 3.0 or higher.
2. A written statement of the applicant’s professional or educational goals and how a degree in creativity studies supports these goals. The recommended length for the letter of intent is two to three pages.
3. Brief biographical sketch, one to two paragraphs, that provides a summary of the applicant’s accomplishments, areas of expertise, and experiences.
4. Two academic/professional letters of reference.
5. Five years of professional experience (distance program applicants only; distance students must begin with the certificate program).
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1. Articulate the interrelated aspects among key definitions, principles and constructs in the discipline of creativity in a way that demonstrates mastery of both historical and contemporary creativity literature and resources.
2. Develop an informed philosophy of one’s own view of creativity.
3. Describe a vivid image of themselves as future creative leaders in their personal and professional lives.
4. Distinguish good science from poor science in the field of creativity studies, for example students can distinguish among opinions, theories, empirically established fact and rigorous research studies.
5. Synthesize literature in a manner that demonstrates that they can identify, comprehend, analyze and evaluate knowledge germane to their topic of interest.
6. Engage in problem finding that leads to the identification of a gap that is then addressed by the student in a novel way.
7. Develop a knowledge base in Creative Problem Solving (CPS).
8. Develop and demonstrate their CPS facilitation skills and fundamental group process skills through applied experiences in leading small groups through the CPS process.
9. Understand and apply the skills needed to facilitate, teach or lead with the CPS process in professional settings.
Program Requirements
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
CRS559 PRINCIPLES IN CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING | 3 - Credit Hours
CRS560 FOUNDATIONS OF CREATIVE LEARNING | 3 - Credit Hours
CRS610 FACILITATION OF GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING | 3 - Credit Hours
CRS620 CREATIVITY ASSESSMENT: METHODS AND RESOURCES | 3 - Credit Hours
CRS625 CURRENT ISSUES IN CREATIVE STUDIES | 3 - Credit Hours
CRS635 CREATIVITY AND CHANGE LEADERSHIP | 3 - Credit Hours
CRS670 FOUNDATIONS IN TEACHING AND TRAINING CREATIVITY | 3 - Credit Hours
Elective Courses (6-12 credit hours)
Select 6-12 credit hours
Master's Project, Master's Thesis, or Comprehensive Exam (0-6 credit hours)
Complete up to 2 course(s) and earn up to 6 credit(s) from the following:
CRS690 MASTER'S PROJECT | 3 - 6 Credit Hours
CRS795 MASTER'S THESIS | 3 - 6 Credit Hours
33 Total Credit Hours