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Behavioral and Social Data Science

Welcome to the Behavioral and Social Data Science major in the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin!

Data science powers discovery everywhere—medicine, business, government, even the rise of artificial intelligence. But some of the most important questions data science can help answer are about people: how we think, how we interact, and how our societies evolve.

The Behavioral and Social Data Science major is built for students who want to explore these big questions through the lens of data. You’ll gain hands-on skills in data analysis, statistical reasoning, digital research methods, data visualization, and ethical decision-making, all while grounding your studies in the human side of data.

Our program offers two exciting tracks:

• Psychology Track – Dive into the science of behavior, cognition, and social interaction. Learn how to apply cutting-edge data science methods to classic and contemporary questions in psychology.

• Humanities Track – Use data science to explore culture, history, language, and the ways people create meaning. Develop tools to analyze texts, traditions, and technologies in new and powerful ways.

Whether you see yourself working in tech, healthcare, business, education, or pursuing graduate study, this major equips you with both the technical toolkit of a data scientist and the deep understanding of human behavior and society that sets Liberal Arts graduates apart.

Graduates of the program are ready to step into the data-driven world—where virtually every organization now relies on behavioral and social data—or continue their education in psychology, data science, the social sciences, or the humanities.