Loyola University Chicago

What you'll study

This master's blends traditional textual scholarship with contemporary digital methods. Core study areas typically include digital textual editing and markup (TEI/XML), digital scholarly editing and textual criticism, programming for humanities research (Python or JavaScript fundamentals), data modelling and metadata, digital preservation, data visualisation, and user-centred design for humanities interfaces. Students engage in hands-on workshops covering content management systems, APIs, GIS mapping for humanities projects, and web publishing.

The programme is project-focused: students usually complete a practicum or capstone digital project that demonstrates skills in encoding, building an online edition, or producing a research-driven digital exhibit. Seminars encourage critical reflection on the theory and ethics of digital scholarship—issues such as digital labor, access and representation, and archival provenance are foregrounded alongside technical training. Elective options allow work across related domains, including archival studies, public humanities, computational literary analysis, and museum informatics.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the humanities, social sciences, or a closely related field. Relevant professional experience in libraries, archives, museums, publishing or IT can also be considered. Typical application materials include a completed application form, official transcripts, a personal statement outlining academic and professional goals in digital humanities, a résumé or CV, and academic writing samples or a portfolio of relevant work.

Letters of recommendation are commonly requested. GRE requirements vary so applicants should consult the department for current policy. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through recognised tests unless exempt; accepted proof and score expectations are set by the university. The programme welcomes applicants with a range of technical backgrounds—some prior experience with coding or markup is helpful but not always mandatory, as the curriculum offers introductory training.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a variety of roles across cultural heritage, higher education and the information economy. Common paths include positions in libraries and archives (digital archivist, metadata specialist), museums and cultural institutions (digital projects coordinator, collections manager), scholarly publishing and digital publishing platforms, and academic research or doctoral study. Other career options include user experience and web roles focused on content-driven projects, cultural data analyst positions, project managers for digital scholarship initiatives, and public humanities or community-engaged cultural programming.

The programme’s practical projects and internship opportunities help students build portfolios of digital editions, data visualisations, and web-based exhibits that are directly relevant to employers in these sectors.

Why study at Loyola University Chicago

Loyola offers an interdisciplinary environment shaped by its Jesuit mission, emphasising critical inquiry, ethical practice and community engagement. The university’s proximity to Chicago’s rich network of libraries, museums, archives and cultural organisations provides strong opportunities for internships, collaboration and public-facing projects. Students benefit from access to Loyola’s Special Collections and Archives as well as partnerships across departments that support cross-disciplinary digital work.

The programme emphasizes experiential, project-based learning with small cohort sizes and close faculty mentorship. Faculty members bring expertise in textual scholarship, digital editing and web-based humanities research, and the curriculum is designed to balance theoretical understanding with practical competence in tools and standards commonly used in the field. This combination helps prepare graduates to contribute to digital scholarship initiatives in academic and professional contexts.