Master of Science Program
Program Code: MS-SP
Major Code: CRL

Creativity and Change Leadership Department
Gerard J. Puccio, Chair
Chase Hall 248, (716) 878-6223
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 (creativity.buffalostate.edu/) for more information.

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).

In addition, all applicants should review the Admission to a Graduate Program section in this catalog.

Program Requirements

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.