Master of Science in Creativity and Change Leadership State University of New York - Buffalo State University, USA

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 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.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• 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.
• Develop an informed philosophy of one’s own view of creativity.
• Describe a vivid image of themselves as future creative leaders in their personal and professional lives.
• 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.
• Synthesize literature in a manner that demonstrates that they can identify, comprehend, analyze and evaluate knowledge germane to their topic of interest.
• Engage in problem finding that leads to the identification of a gap that is then addressed by the student in a novel way.
• Develop a knowledge base in Creative Problem Solving (CPS).
• Develop and demonstrate their CPS facilitation skills and fundamental group process skills through applied experiences in leading small groups through the CPS process.
• Understand and apply the skills needed to facilitate, teach or lead with the CPS process in professional settings.