Athletic training

The Doctor of Athletic Training is a 63-credit advanced clinical doctorate delivered through a flexible hybrid model for certified athletic trainers. Students complete four weeks of intensive summer coursework on the Moscow campus and continue fall and spring coursework online while applying new knowledge through clinical residency experiences in their current practice setting or another approved clinical environment.

Explore program courses in the University Catalog

Explore clinical affiliations

What students study

• Advanced and integrative manual therapy techniques
• Research methods, evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence in patient care
• Action research, survey and qualitative research design, quantitative data analysis and scientific writing for publication
• Holistic foundations of pain, current and novel paradigms in patient care, spine and pelvic girdle care and advanced practice skills
• Clinical residency and analysis of patient care across four sequential residency experiences

View the curriculum roadmap

Clinical residency and applied learning

The D.A.T. emphasizes immediate application in clinical practice. Students complete clinical residency courses while continuing to work with patients, often using their current employment site as the clinical setting. The residency structure allows students to apply new techniques, analyze patient outcomes, refine clinical decision-making and connect advanced coursework directly to their professional practice. Summer intensives on the Moscow campus provide concentrated hands-on education in applied learning spaces, and students may also engage with U of I facilities such as the Integrated Sports Medicine and Rehabilitative Therapies (ISMaRT) Clinic.

Faculty mentorship and advising

Students learn from faculty who are active clinicians, researchers and mentors. Faculty support students in connecting coursework to patient care, refining advanced practice skills, designing applied research projects and developing as confident, purpose-driven practitioners. The cohort model also allows students to build a network of peers who are advancing clinical practice in diverse settings.

Learning outcomes

• Improve clinical practice through the foundational behaviors of post-professional practice
• Become a more scholarly practitioner
• Contribute to research and advance knowledge in athletic training clinical practice
• Apply advanced manual therapy, prevention, rehabilitation and patient-care strategies in clinical settings
• Use evidence, outcomes data and reflective practice to improve patient care

Research and scholarly opportunities

The D.A.T. prepares students to become scholarly practitioners who use research to improve patient care. Students engage in action research, evidence-based practice, quantitative and qualitative methods, outcomes analysis and scientific writing. Coursework is designed to help students identify meaningful clinical questions, conduct applied research in patient-care settings and contribute to knowledge that advances athletic training clinical practice. 

2026-27 D.A.T. program costs 

All students enrolled in the D.A.T. program pay a flat tuition rate of $24,000 for the full program, regardless of residency. Tuition is based on the cohort model rather than the number of credits taken each term. If a student’s enrollment falls out of sequence with their cohort, tuition may be prorated based on the courses taken during that term.

Courses taken outside of the athletic training curriculum are billed separately at the university’s standard online or in-person tuition rates, depending on the course format.

View the estimated D.A.T. cost of attendance

Financial support

University of Idaho is committed to making graduate education accessible and helping students navigate the cost of earning an advanced degree. In addition to financial aid and scholarship opportunities, many graduate students receive funding through assistantships, research opportunities and other forms of academic support.

Here are a few key resources to help you understand graduate tuition, funding opportunities and available financial support:

• Submit your FAFSA: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important first step in accessing federal financial aid and certain institutional funding opportunities.  
• Explore scholarships and graduate funding opportunities: Graduate students may qualify for scholarships, fellowships and other funding opportunities based on academic achievement, area of study and professional experience.  
• Learn about assistantships: Many graduate programs offer Research Assistantships (RAs), Teaching Assistantships (TAs) or Graduate Assistantships (GAs), which may provide tuition support, stipends and valuable professional experience. Assistantship availability and funding levels vary by program and department.  
  • A doctoral teaching assistantship is available for qualified students.
• Connect with your program: Some graduate funding opportunities are coordinated directly through academic departments or faculty research projects. Prospective students are encouraged to review department funding information and speak with program representatives about available opportunities.  

If you have questions about financial aid, scholarships or graduate funding, U of I’s experienced financial aid counselors and graduate program staff can help you explore options and make informed financial decisions throughout the admissions process.  

View financial aid resources

Have questions about the program, research opportunities or the graduate student experience? Connect with our program team for personalized guidance about curriculum, faculty mentorship, application requirements and graduate funding opportunities.

Program contact: 
Jayme Baker
ui-at@uidaho.edu
208-885-2182

For questions related to admissions, application materials, transcripts or enrollment steps, contact Graduate Admissions:

Graduate Admissions contact: graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu
208-885-4001

Meet SHAMP faculty and staff

All graduate school applicants must satisfy university and degree-specific graduate admissions requirements to be considered for graduate admission to University of Idaho. Application requirements may vary depending on whether you are applying as a domestic or international student. Program-specific requirements can be found on each degree page.

Program availability

• Semester intake: Summer (classes start in late June)
  • Applications accepted for the Moscow campus (study online during the fall and spring terms)
  • Open to international applicants when students enroll full-time and take at least 6 credits of in-person classes during their first summer term and the following spring and fall semesters.
• Deadlines: Applications are accepted through March 15 of every year
• Start dates: View the academic calendar to see start and end dates

Applicants for the D.A.T. in athletic training must meet the following admission requirements:

University requirements

• Education level: Bachelor's degree in a similar or related field from an accredited or recognized institution (earned or expected before the start of the graduate program)
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary education will be required. Unofficial transcripts may be used for initial admission review. Official transcripts sent by the issuing institution(s) will be required if admitted. View more information on the Graduate Admissions page.  
• GPA: 3.0 (Applicants with a lower undergraduate GPA who have relevant professional experience in the field, have already earned a graduate degree, or have completed graduate-level credits may still be considered for admission with approval from the academic program.)
• GRE: Not required
• Letters of recommendation: Three
• Resume  
• Statement of Purpose  
• Valid picture ID (required to verify students’ identity and will be kept confidential)
• English proficiency (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language).  
• Accepted tests: TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo: 115, PTE-A: 58. Learn what qualifies as proof of English proficiency.  
• Application Fee: $50
• Other requirements: Proof of Board of Certification (BOC) in Athletic Training or State Licensure (if required in your current state of practice) 

Admissions process summary

Step 1: Review the D.A.T. curriculum, program format, certification/licensure requirements and graduate admissions requirements.

Step 2: Prepare application materials, including official transcripts, references and proof of BOC certification or state licensure if applicable.

Step 3: Submit the graduate application and any program-specific materials by the March 15 deadline.

Step 4: Work with the Athletic Training program and Graduate Admissions to confirm admission status, enrollment requirements and any international student requirements, if applicable.

Step 5: Begin the program in the summer term with required in-person coursework on the Moscow campus.

Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.

The program is designed as a 24-month, 63-credit advanced clinical doctorate.

The D.A.T. uses a hybrid model. Students spend four weeks on the Moscow campus each summer for intensive, hands-on education and study online during fall and spring terms while completing clinical residency experiences.

The program admits students for summer intake, with classes starting in late June. Applications are accepted through March 15 each year.

No. GRE scores are not required for admission.

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree and provide proof of Board of Certification (BOC) in Athletic Training or state licensure if required in their current state of practice.

Tuition is $24,000 per year. See detailed cost of attendance information (link to costs and funding accordion.) Tuition covers courses, course fees and textbooks, with extra courses and certifications in the athletic training curriculum included at no additional cost.

Yes. The program is designed for working professionals. Students complete summer intensives on campus and continue fall and spring learning online while completing clinical residency experiences, often in their current practice setting. 

University of Idaho offers the nation’s first advanced clinical Doctor of Athletic Training, with a focus on applied research, advanced manual therapy, patient outcomes and immediate translation to practice.