When I was getting my Master of Science in Athletic Training, my advisor and mentor was getting her Doctor of Athletic Training from ATSU. She was someone who shared a similar drive for the AT profession as a whole as I did, as well as having a focus on mental health. But it wasn't until a year or so after I graduated that I thought about pursuing the DAT myself.

The DAT felt like the perfect fit and next step for me to better myself in my everyday practice as well as to help better the athletic training profession. One of my favorite things about ATSU’s DAT is the ability to learn something in class and immediately apply it to my practice because, with the online program, I'm able to work full time. In August of 2020 I began the journey of getting my DAT, and could not be happier that I made the decision to continue my education at A.T. Still University.

I love that the DAT program allows you to choose your tracks and focus your classes in a way that is beneficial to your personal interests and career goals. I decided to complete the sport neurology and concussion track and the rehabilitation track as a way to increase my knowledge and better my patient care in areas that I felt my setting and practice needed. Every class I was able to learn something that week and was able to immediately apply it to patients I was working with in real time. There is nothing more rewarding than getting to see how continuing my AT education has allowed me to help people in ways I wouldn't have been able to otherwise. I was able to better personalize the treatment I was providing and diversify the techniques that I was using to provide the most up-to-date and patient-centered care possible.

The DAT program and coursework fits so easily fit into your daily schedule. The majority of students have full-time jobs. The professors also have other classes to teach or other areas of focus, whether it be research or admin, etc. I say this to highlight how understanding the professors are, as well as how flexible the program was created to best accommodate professionals who have an already busy schedule. The asynchronous format allows you to fit the coursework into gaps of time in your schedule that work best for you. With the whole week to work on some assignments or splitting the week up into two halves, it is easy to get into a routine that fits best with your work life and personal life. 

Overall, I am so glad that I decided to take the jump and earn my Doctor of Athletic Training at A.T. Still University. I have met some absolutely amazing athletic trainers who truly ignite my passion for the profession and motivate me to be the best clinician I can be. When you sign up for the DAT program you are coming to better your education, but what you leave with is a family of alumni and professors who will continue to inspire you, challenge you, and support you for the rest of your career. I cannot say enough about how truly amazing ATSU’s program is and how thankful I am to have the opportunity to pursue my DAT!