The Department of History is launching the first undergraduate degree program in history and data science in the country. Enrollment in the program is expected to open in the spring 2027 semester. The program is part of the data science + initiative at the University of Illinois which allows students to pair the study of data science with coursework in another discipline.
Data science teaches you how to collect, organize, and analyze data. History gives you the context to discover the story hidden within the data and the communication skills to craft a narrative around it. By harnessing data science, historians can analyze vast troves of data to uncover its hidden patterns, validate existing theories, and even generate fresh hypotheses about past events and societal shifts.
“History and data science are a natural partnership,” said associate director of undergraduate studies Stefan Djordjevic. “Data can reveal patterns, but history helps us understand their meaning. By bringing these fields together, our students will uncover new insights about the past while developing the skills to tackle some of society’s most pressing challenges. We are thrilled to launch a program that is at the forefront of both historical scholarship and data-driven discovery.”
The history + data science program will provide students with a strong foundation in data science analytics which they can use to formulate and resolve historical questions. In addition to coursework, the program integrates research opportunities, internships, field experiences, collaboration with industry experts, capstone projects, and community engagement opportunities to provide students with a well-rounded education that equips them with practical skills, critical thinking abilities, and a deep understanding of the intersection between history and data science.
The program will greatly expand career opportunities for graduates, who with their strong background in the humanities, can tackle complex social problems from both a humanistic and quantitative perspective. Students will graduate prepared for data-informed careers across a variety of sectors including finance/banking, healthcare, education, public policy, government, cultural heritage management and beyond.