Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Center for Creative Change?
The Center for Creative Change (C3) offers five graduate degree and six certificate programs in a distinctive interdisciplinary format that blends the latest thinking about social change with students' real-life experiences. Starting with a series of common core courses, each program offers a rigorous specialized curriculum. Students work with faculty across traditional academic disciplines in coursework, research and community projects.

The Center was formed in 2002 and connected four of Antioch's established graduate programs – environment and community, management*, organizational psychology* and whole systems design – in an integrated model of graduate education. The intention was to take advantage of cross-program perspectives and offer students the focus of a rigorous, specialized curriculum with the flexibility of a broader vision. This means that students are better prepared to understand the world as an integrated system and become effective leaders in facilitating positive change in organizations, communities and society at large.

The first C3 cohort entered in Fall 2003, taking a core of first-year classes and participating in a Reflective Practicum. Since then, the Center has evolved and now offers six certificate programs and a fifth master's degree, M.A. in Strategic Communication*, added in 2007. Antioch's whole systems design degree program began in 1982, and the first management class started in 1992. The environment and community program began in the early 1990s as an Individualized M.A. at Antioch University McGregor; in 1996, that master's program moved to the Seattle campus. The organizational psychology program began fall 2000.

What degree programs and certificates are offered by the Center for Creative Change?
The Center offers graduate degree programs in:

• M.A. in Communication
• M.A. in Environment and Community
• M.S. in Management and Leadership
• M.A. in Organizational Development
• M.A. in Whole Systems Design

The Center also offers six graduate certificate programs in related subjects.

What are the benefits of a degree or certificate from the Center for Creative Change?
The Center for Creative Change provides a vibrant educational environment where students and faculty from different programs collaborate to understand issues and develop positive solutions. Supported by a strong learning community, students explore their own passions and interests to create a sustainable and just society.

A degree or certificate from the Center for Creative Change enables you to:

• Design and lead long-lasting positive change in any type of community, organization or business
• Create and implement solutions to today's complex social, organizational and environmental problems
• Learn how to "think globally and act locally" 
• Understand and apply systemic thinking to any issue or situation

How long does it take to complete a degree?
If you enroll as a full-time student (eight to 12 credits a quarter), you can finish your master's degree in the Center for Creative Change in 21 months. If you enroll in fewer credits per quarter, you have up to six years to finish your degree. The center also offers graduate certificate programs that can take only nine months to complete.

Is there a thesis requirement?
There is no thesis requirement for any of the degree or certificate programs offered by the Center for Creative Change but degree students may choose to write a thesis in their second year of study with their adviser's approval.  

How much does it cost?
A degree or a certificate from the Center for Creative Change is an investment in your future. Costs are competitive with equivalent degrees at other private universities.

See Typical Costs for more information. Most students in the Center for Creative Change receive financial aid. Antioch also offers graduate assistant and work study positions and scholarships are available.

Can I work while I'm going to graduate school?
Yes, nearly all of the center's students have full-time or part-time jobs.

Class time is concentrated to accommodate busy schedules. All courses are held one weekend a month (Friday through Monday). Between class meetings, students work online in a collaborative learning community.

Tell me about the faculty at the Center for Creative Change.
Faculty members at the Center for Creative Change are internationally recognized experts in their chosen fields. They are scholar-practitioners who combine a theoretical understanding of creative social change with real-life experience. This combination of theory and practice provides students with unique opportunities for learning.

See Faculty for more information on the faculty.

*In 2010, the name of the Management program changed into "Management and Leadership," the Organizational Psychology program into "Organizational Development" and the Strategic Communication program into "Communication."