Study creativity where it all started! Buffalo, NY, is celebrated as the birthplace of creative problem-solving, and Buffalo State established the world's first academic program dedicated entirely to the science of creativity. The university is at the forefront of pioneering research and creative leadership initiatives today and offers its first-ever fully online doctoral program in creativity.

Buffalo State’s Creativity and Change Leadership programs bring together students and professionals from fields ranging from business and education to engineering, technology, design, communications, and nonprofit leadership.

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Gerard Puccio lecturing in a classroom
"From our early research in the late 1960s demonstrating that creativity is a trainable skill, to offering the world’s first master’s degree in creativity, the Center for Applied Imagination has consistently shaped the field of creativity studies." 
Gerard Puccio SUNY Distinguished Prof. and chair of Creativity and Change Leadership
Smiling woman sitting at a table

What You Will Learn

  • Think more creatively and solve problems with confidence
  • Lead change and navigate uncertainty
  • Bring people together to develop better ideas
  • Communicate and collaborate more effectively
  • Lead diverse teams and organizations
  • Turn creative ideas into action
  • Build skills that can grow with your career
  • Earn a distinctive credential that sets you apart

Creativity creates careers. Unlocking your imagination can elevate your career, giving it a stronger foundation and potentially some new directions. It will transform your life, make you a more effective leader, and a better global citizen ready to chart a course towards the future.

Our Approach
You learn and work with like-minded people who are passionate about making a difference in the world.

Our Faculty
The value of creativity knows no bounds. As such, we attract students from all fields and endeavors. To best serve our students, we have a faculty team with diverse backgrounds. While experts in their respective fields of study, all our faculty are thought leaders in creativity. 

Our Alumni
We are also incredibly fortunate to have one of the most cohesive, loyal, and loving alumni communities. Our graduates are found all around the world. In fact, they live on five continents and in more than 20 countries. Studying at the Center for Applied Imagination means you will be joining a worldwide network of creativity professionals. 

Our Network
To engage our community, the Creativity and Change Leadership Department runs the annual Creativity Expert Exchange conference. This virtual conference attracts more than 150 participants, many of whom are our alumni, and gives our community a way to engage in continuous learning and test new ideas.