Purdue Polytechnic, one of the academic colleges at Purdue University, has just announced the creation of the School of Applied and Creative Computing, approved by the board of trustees on Friday, June 6, 2025.
The new school, formed by unifying the Departments of Computer Graphics Technology (CGT) and Computer and Information Technology (CIT), will strategically combine resource pools and foster greater collaboration on all levels by mixing the singular expertise and curriculum found in both of the former departments.
“This is not merely a consolidation—it’s a visionary step toward a more integrated, efficient, and influential academic unit,” said the Office of the Dean of Purdue Polytechnic. The new school aims to harness the natural synergy between strengths among the faculty and student bodies in the two former departments. For instance, “the overlap between CIT’s technical skills in infrastructure and CGT’s expertise in visualization highlights a shared foundation in applied computing and technology.”
The Office of the Dean’s proposal outlines how the new admixture of competencies in the School of Applied and Creative Computing will greatly expand the capacity to respond to emerging industry needs in a rapidly-evolving computing landscape. Purdue Polytechnic will therefore become an even more active partner in strategic initiatives across the university such as Purdue Computes.
Further building out the new school’s ecosystem entails greater and more expansive online programs, certifications and interdisciplinary research. “Rather than diluting these approaches, co-locating these programs within a single school will create valuable opportunities for cross-disciplinary learning, discovery and engagement” the Office of the Dean’s proposal reads.
“This will allow CGT students to gain insights into secure IT infrastructure and enable CIT students to explore aspects of user-centered design and visualization. … Furthermore, the convergence of creative and technical industries, especially in areas like data visualization, augmented reality, and educational technology, calls for a combined approach.”
Students will benefit from an enhanced skill set and more plentiful networking opportunities, making them even more competitive in the global job market.
The new school’s curriculum will preserve existing core specializations—"such as animation, game design, and UX design in CGT, and IT management, cybersecurity, and networking in CIT”—while introducing interdisciplinary options. “The School of Applied and Creative Computing will strengthen graduates’ standing in their respective fields and open up new opportunities for them to pursue robust careers.”
Administratively, an interim school head will be named, followed by a national search for a permanent school head committed to championing interdisciplinary collaboration. Faculty and staff input, alongside alumni and industry advisory boards from both CGT and CIT “will be integral in selecting a leader who values the unique strengths of both areas.”
The newly combined school will continue to occupy its current spaces in Knoy Hall of Technology, Dudley and Lambertus Halls in West Lafayette, and the Engineering and Technology Building in Indianapolis. It will leverage shared research spaces and capitalize on collective expertise to create revenue-generating opportunities.
Before the launch of the School of Applied and Creative Computing, 10 listening sessions were conducted, with invitations extended to all eligible stakeholders from West Lafayette, Indianapolis and Purdue Polytechnic’s system of statewide locations. Going forward, the new, unified school will have a working group for new curriculum opportunities along with many other functions critical to its rollout.
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