April 28, 2025
Providence College adds new majors in communication, data science
Providence College will introduce new majors in communication and in data science in the 2025-2026 academic year. Both subjects are now offered as minors.
About 18 percent of students who applied to PC in 2023 said they were interested in a career in communication. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences reports that undergraduate enrollment in communication degree programs is growing. Humanities Indicators, which track trends in humanities disciplines, show that nearly 25 percent of bachelor’s degrees completed in the humanities in 2018 (the latest year in which information was available) were in communication, making it one of the top humanities degrees awarded nationwide.
“Communication major is so timely,” said Andrea M. McDonnell, Ph.D., associate professor of political science and director of the Communication Program. “We certainly see the power of communication in social media, in politics, in everyday life. This is an opportunity for students to pursue not only training in communication skills, but also how to theorize and research communication phenomena.”
The data science major will be part of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. The major will equip students to deal with large datasets, build predictive models, and make data-driven decisions, skills that are sought in such sectors as healthcare, business, and technology.
“Every day we are generating more data,” said Adam H. Villa, associate professor of computer science. “It is the role of data scientists to turn this information into useful insights. Students will develop the skills to organize, analyze, and interpret data to help make better decisions. They will also learn how to ensure their work is fair, unbiased, and benefits society as a whole.”
To prepare for the new major, the department has added two new computer science professors to the faculty, both with expertise in machine learning and artificial intelligence. In addition to strengthening the program, they will allow the department to create new upper-level electives.
Dr. McDonnell discuss the communication major
Ever wonder how the next great idea starts? It begins with someone believing in possibility. Your gift through The Fund for Providence College empowers students to explore cutting-edge fields, and gives faculty the resources they need to create new academic paths — like PC’s bold move into the study of communication and data science.
