When I first started serving as a preceptor ten years into my career, I learned very quickly that what students were learning at the professional graduate level was more advanced than my education at the baccalaureate level. I considered myself to be a pretty good athletic trainer, but I didn't think of myself as a healthcare provider. I knew a formal education program would "get me up to speed" more efficiently than trying to piece together singular continuing education opportunities.

As someone who already had a master's degree, I knew a doctorate was the next logical step, but I wasn't interested in research. I wanted to improve my clinical skills, my clinical decision-making, and be a better clinical educator, so a clinical doctorate made sense. The flexibility and adaptability of ATSU's Doctor of Athletic Training program allowed me to continue working full-time while immediately applying the concepts I was learning in class to my clinical practice.

Over the course of the program, I learned what it meant to be a healthcare provider and developed a renewed sense of pride and passion for the AT profession. The DAT did so much more for me than catch me up on the latest concepts in athletic training. It equipped me with the tools to continue advancing my knowledge and skills and pushing the profession forward. A competent clinician can do the job. A sophisticated clinician can enhance the job. Because of ATSU's DAT, I am a sophisticated clinician.