Athletic Training, DAT

The Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) program is post-professional distance learning program with a one-week on-campus Winter Institute culminating in a Doctor of Athletic Training degree. Didactic coursework in advanced areas of study can be planned to allow students to complete the program in three or four years. The DAT program is designed for state licensed and/or athletic trainers certified by the Board of Certification (BOC), or individuals who have met eligibility requirements to sit for the BOC certification examination prior to matriculation. Courses are designed with an emphasis on academic rigor, advancement of clinical practice, and an applied research experience. Faculty and staff work closely with students to develop the professional attitudes and clinical problem-solving skills necessary for optimum patient care.

Length of Program

The DAT program is a 36 month program comprised of 70 credits among 20 courses. Students can actually graduate from the 36-month program as much as 16 months earlier with transfer of credit.

Admissions

Application Deadline

Applications for the DAT program may be submitted at any time during the academic year to Online Admissions. The program has four intakes per year, July, September, January and March. All application materials must be submitted no later than 2 months prior to the start of a course block.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to the DAT program must meet the following requirements prior to matriculation.

1. Applicants are required to meet all ATSU and ASHS general admission requirements
2. Applicants must have achieved a minimum overall graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Candidates accepted for admission to the DAT program will have earned a masters or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution.
4. Applicants must submit official transcripts from the college or university where the highest degree was earned.
5. Applicants to the Athletic Training Program must demonstrate Board of Certification (BOC) certification as an athletic trainer. Verification of progress toward completion of all eligibility requirements to sit for the BOC certification examination will be accepted at the time of application, but BOC certification must be verified prior to matriculation.
6. Students must demonstrate proof of state licensure (if required in your current state of residence). A photocopy of a current state license is acceptable.
7. Official recommendation forms must be completed by: 1) academic advisor, professor, employer, family friend or minister, and 2) a health care professional.
   1. A formal letter of recommendation must accompany each form.
   2. Letters from an educational consulting service will not qualify.
   3. Letters of reference must be submitted for each application year.
8. All students are required to demonstrate proficiency in English when applying to the Arizona School of Health Sciences, A.T Still University. See the ASHS English Proficiency section for more details.
9. Candidates must submit an application form.
10. GRE scores are not required for admission to the DAT.
11. Candidates are expected to be computer literate and experienced in word processing. All curricula require extensive computer usage. Accepted applicants are required to have a personal computer prior to matriculation and have access to a high-speed Internet connection.
    1. See the Minimum Technology Specifications  under the General Admission Requirements section.

Candidates must complete a phone interview with the program director.

Advanced Standing Admission

Students who have completed coursework within ATSU’s Master of Science in Athletic Training or the Certificate in Clinical Decision Making in Athletic Training may be eligible for advanced standing. Please contact Admissions for more information on eligible transfer credit for advanced standing.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a Doctor of Athletic Training degree, all students must:

1. Complete all prescribed and elected courses within seven years of commencing the program
2. Maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0
3. Complete with a passing grade (“C” or better) all prescribed courses and clinical rotations
4. Obtain final applied research project approval documenting completion of all applied research project requirements
5. Discharge all financial obligations to ATSU-ASHS