Elizabeth City, N.C. — Elizabeth City State University will expand its academic programs in Fall 2026 with the launch of a new Bachelor of Science in Data Science degree and the addition of fully online bachelor’s degree options in History and Social Work, creating new pathways for students seeking flexible, career-focused educational opportunities.
Leading the additions is ECSU’s new Bachelor of Science in Data Science program, which will equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in one of the nation’s fastest-growing fields.
“Data science is one of the fastest-growing fields in the world. It is the practice of collecting, analyzing and interpreting data to help organizations make data-driven decisions for real-world problems,” said Mohamed Elbakary, Ph.D., associate professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and coordinator of the Engineering Technology Program.
Students in the program will learn to use programming, statistics, machine learning and data visualization tools to uncover trends and findings from large amounts of information. Graduates will be prepared for careers as data scientists, data analysts, data engineers, artificial intelligence specialists, quantitative analysts, healthcare analytics specialists and business intelligence analysts. Those career opportunities span industries including technology, healthcare, finance, government, education and nonprofit organizations.
Elbakary said ECSU’s program stands out because of its affordability, location, mission and strengths in coding, statistics and machine learning.
“Data Science could position ECSU as a leading institution for solving challenges facing rural, coastal and underserved communities,” he said.
In addition to introducing the new degree, ECSU will expand access to two existing programs through fully online learning options.
The university’s History program will now offer students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree completely online. The program combines the strengths of a liberal arts education with modern teaching methods and digital skills, encouraging students to apply historical inquiry to contemporary challenges and opportunities. Students can pursue concentrations in digital and public history and race, gender and ethnicity studies. The online option provides greater flexibility for students balancing education with professional and personal responsibilities.
ECSU’s Bachelor of Social Work program will also be available as a fully online degree option beginning in Fall 2026. The program prepares students to become competent, effective and professional social workers serving individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. The program places special emphasis on addressing the needs of rural and developing communities through a person-in-environment framework and a global perspective.
According to program information, the fully online option expands access for students seeking the flexibility of remote learning while maintaining the program’s commitment to preparing graduates for professional social work practice.
As a North Carolina Promise institution, ECSU continues to provide affordable access to higher education. In-state tuition is $500 per semester, while out-of-state tuition is $3,500 per semester.
Students interested in the History program may contact the Department of English, History, and Interdisciplinary Studies at ECSU or Charles Reed, Ph.D., chair and associate professor of History, for additional information. Questions about the Social Work program may be directed to Kim Downing, Ph.D., professor and program director, or visit the Department of Health & Human Studies. Information about the new Data Science degree is available here. Students interested in the program should contact Mohamed Elbakary.
