Frequently Asked Questions

The FIU DAT focuses on three main areas of growth – Entrepreneurial Leadership, Academic Leadership, and Global Leadership.  Each of these areas emphasize knowledge contributing to Domain V of the CAATE standards. We believe the content taught within these specialized areas contributes most to one’s professional and personal growth. It is well known that the ability to communicate clearly, influence, and be prepared can lead to opportunities. Only when one possesses the necessary skills and understands aspects of healthcare business beyond clinical skills can such opportunities contribute to greater fulfillment.

No! All courses in the FIU DAT are offered online. You can live in any state in the country – and you can even live in another country!

The FIU DAT focuses on 3 aspects of leadership that we believe are underutilized and maybe even ignored. These areas are 1) entrepreneurship - learning how to establish the true value of all your skills and how needs are perceived by others, 2) globalization – recognizing that your value has a reach far beyond the athletic training environment in the United States, and 3) academic – educating, organizational structure, and influential skills comprise the all-encompassing process of learning.

There is no standard accreditation for doctoral programs in athletic training, but FIU is regionally accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Upon the successful completion of the 4 courses in the Academic Leadership track, you will earn a Certificate in Academic Leadership.  Upon the successful completion of the 4 courses in the Entrepreneurial Leadership track you will earn a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Leadership.

Enrolled students must complete all 48 credits of the DAT, attend 2 on-campus residency sessions, and satisfactorily meet the expectations of the Capstone Project.

No, there are no clinical hours required as part of the FIU DAT degree.

Each credit hour costs $700 and this includes all fees.

No. Tuition is the same for all DAT students regardless of what state or country one resides in.

There is a small application fee ($30) that the University requires to review one’s completed application.  One can estimate approximately $300 in total for books throughout the length of the curriculum. Each person is required to attend two (2) residency weekends in Miami as partial completion of the degree.  These typically occur all day on a Friday, all day on a Saturday, and Sunday morning until approximately 1pm.  Costs for this will vary depending upon where one is travelling from, preferred mode of transportation, and preferred choice of accommodations.  Breakfast and lunches are provided. For those choosing to attend the formal on-campus graduation ceremony, there is a cost for the cap and gown that ranges from $250 - $1,000 based upon your choice of quality.

Each DAT candidate must complete the FIU Graduate School online application which will issue one a Panther ID number. Additionally, the following are required: Proof of athletic training certification through the Board of Certification (or the equivalency for International applicants); proof of state regulatory credential (if applicable); three (3) letters of recommendation (at least one from a supervising athletic trainer or other healthcare professional) that specifically speak to your ability to succeed in an online doctoral program that requires high levels of organization, communication, and determination; a resume/curriculum vitae; a statement of professional and personal goals that emphasize how a DAT fits into this plan and why you feel FIU is the best program for you. As part of admissions, one needs to possess a completed master’s degree or have completed a minimum of 27 graduate level credits, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0. A final interview will be conducted as well prior to formal acceptance.

FIU admits DAT student cohorts twice annually with curriculum work beginning in the spring and fall semesters. Application deadline for the fall semester cohort is July 15 and for the spring semester November 15. Individuals should always expect additional time for the completion of a full application and not underestimate the time required for transcript delivery, receipt of letters of recommendation, or the time it takes to draft statement of goals.

Information for submitting official transcripts can be found here: https://admissions.fiu.edu/how-to-apply/submit-transcripts/index.html

The FIU DAT is an online program delivered by distance.  Most enrolled students are working professionals.  As the program focuses on advanced leadership skills and professional growth, it is highly recommended that those identified to write letters of recommended speak directly to your abilities to be organized, focused, communicative, disciplined, and determined to persevere. We are less concerned about your clinical skills and more interested in your abilities to work, manage your personal life, and fully engage in the DAT degree successfully.  Please do not select friends, family, politicians, or clergy to serve as professional references for the DAT application.

3.0/4.0

There is no minimum amount of professional work experience required for admissions.  However, we have found that having professional experience will contribute to enhanced course discussions.

Athletic training certifications (or equivalent) and state regulatory (licensure, registration, certification) are required to be submitted for review.

Yes, we encourage you to contact us first and have a virtual meeting where we can better understand your credentials and guide you toward a successful application by submitting the proper documents.

The tuition is set in US Dollars.

There is no specific licensure or certification that is accepted. Each candidate applying with international credentials will be reviewed on an individual basis.  This includes transcripts, credentials, and professional experience.

International students are encouraged to contact FIU Global at http://global.fiu.edu for special assistance.

No. The DAT does not require the completion of a dissertation or thesis. Instead, the DAT focuses on the culminating body of work that leads to a Capstone Project. The Capstone Project equates to 12 course credits (25% of the academic coursework) and is a large portion of one’s doctoral level development

The capstone is a body of work closely guided by a faculty mentor that builds upon your coursework and independent study efforts leading to a culminating portfolio. The capstone works integrates academic, entrepreneurial and/or global leadership.

No. The capstone body of work is yours! Faculty will closely mentor the direction and development of the capstone work but the work itself is focused on an area that you are passionate about and set your goals toward achieving.

We cannot speak to the focus of other DAT programs.  Our focus is on the uniqueness of our curricular content that is taught by world class faculty who possess expertise in the areas of entrepreneurial, global, and academic leadership.

Most of the classes are structured asynchronously. This means that you participate at your own pace with designated dates and deadlines for discussion board interaction and course assignments. We will have synchronous virtual meetings on occasion, especially when we invite courtesy faculty or guest lecturers to join our classes. We use the Canvas online platform to deliver course content.

No. The DAT program does not evaluate one’s performance based upon midterm or final exams. In-depth discussions and the integration of real-world projects and assignments form the basis of foundational learning as an advanced scholarly practitioner.

No. All courses are offered toward course credit at FIU.  However, you may count your earned academic course credits toward BOC Category C continuing education credits.

Course titles and brief course descriptions can be found here: https://cnhs.fiu.edu/academics/athletic-training/programs/doctor-of-athletic-training/curriculum/

The FIU DAT residency is a 2 ½ day in person experience that takes place on our campus in Miami.

As partial fulfillment for the completion of DAT degree requirements, each student is required to attend 2 residency experiences.  Residency weekends are held annually in January and July.

If you require transportation and lodging accommodation to be in Miami for 3 days you should expect costs associated with your travel.  Typically, meals are provided during the day and you may want to plan for dinner expenses on your own.

Most people arrive Thursday evening and get together informally.  Friday and Saturday are full days of academic coursework highlighted by many interactive sessions.  A typical day will run 8am – 6pm with continental breakfast and lunch vouchers provided. The evenings are free, though oftentimes everyone gets together for dinner. Sunday schedule runs 8am – 1pm to allow for those who need to travel ample time to return home.

FIU DAT alums complete capstone projects in the areas of entrepreneurial, academic and/or global leadership. Projects range from launching consulting businesses, brand development, International immersion site development, non-for-profit businesses or foundations, educational content, traditional publication portfolio, and many more!

The FIU DAT focuses on leadership skills that transcend one’s setting, geographical location, or level of experience.  Some refer to many of the skills that are mastered in this program as falling under what we refer to as Domain 5 of the BOC.  According to the 8th Edition of the Content Outline for Practice Analysis effective March 2023, Domain 5 consists of a mere 8% of the weighted content. This large gap in leadership awareness, development, integration, opportunity, and intervention plays a large part in limiting one’s professional advancement. A primary goal of the FIU DAT is to develop one’s professional and personal growth.

YES! The majority of the DAT students enroll full-time with classwork while maintaining full-time employment as an athletic trainer.  DAT students work in all settings and have found ways to learn how to manage their time according to their priorities.

YES! FIU faculty will participate in multiple International trips annually of which students have the opportunity to participate in. Many times these trips will include an International conference as well as provide an opportunity to interact directly with our global courtesy faculty.