The Board of Certification (BOC) approved the first specialty certification for athletic trainers, orthopedics, in 2021 with the goal of rolling out additional certifications by the end of the year. Residency programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) are opportunities to get specialized training in a specific content area. . A practicing AT could also pursue a Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) degree to further their knowledge in their field. If your advisee is interested in taking a step into the research realm, they can look into academic doctorates like PhD programs as well.