The establishment of the Department of History was formalized on May 18, 1972, making it one of the oldest study programs within the Faculty of Humanities at Diponegoro University. This was based on the resolutions of the Sub-consortium of Literature and Philosophy, which mandated the opening of the History Department at Diponegoro University up to the Baccalaureate level. Academic activities were initially conducted at the Hayam Wuruk Campus in Pleburan. By 1973, the Department of History officially commenced its Baccalaureate program. Subsequently, the department—which later transitioned in name to the Department of History—launched its doctoral program in 1977. In its early stages, the Department of History consisted of only one study program; thus, the name of the department was synonymous with the History Study Program (PSS).

The History Study Program was officially established based on the Decree of the Director General of Higher Education No. 106/DIKTI/Kep/1984, dated August 21, 1984. It operates under the Department of History, Faculty of Humanities, Diponegoro University, and is located on Jl. Prof. Soedarto, S.H., at the UNDIP Tembalang Campus in Semarang. According to external evaluations by the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education (BAN-PT), the program has successfully achieved an “A” accreditation rating for four consecutive periods (2003, 2009, 2014, and 2019).

The History Study Program consistently develops expertise in maritime history and culture, a field pioneered by its “founding mother,” Prof. Dr. A.M. Djuliati Soerojo, in the 1990s. The program aims to emphasize maritime perspectives within the grand narrative of Indonesian history, which was previously dominated by terrestrial elements. It is undeniable that, since the beginning, the sea has served as a medium for the exchange of ideas and has witnessed the process of Indonesian national integration. However, the maritime world currently faces ongoing challenges. Addressing these issues, the Study Program is committed to contributing to national problem-solving, particularly in the maritime sector. This specialization is supported by Diponegoro University’s Principal Scientific Framework and its strategic location on the northern coast of Java, which serves as a favorable foundation for developing this expertise.