Nation’s First Executive Doctorate in Sport Science and Data Analytics Launches Fall 2026

The University of Miami’s School of Education and Human Development has announced the Fall 2026 launch of the first Executive Doctor of Science (DSS) in Sport Science and Data Analytics in the United States. This pioneering 60-credit program is designed for working professionals to bridge the gap between high-level athletic performance and advanced computational data analysis. By integrating scientific rigor with machine learning and statistical modeling, the initiative aims to meet the surging demand for leadership in a global sports analytics market projected to surpass $31 billion by 2034.

The Executive DSS program addresses a critical shortage of experts capable of translating complex performance data into actionable strategies for professional and collegiate athletic organizations. The curriculum blends traditional sport science disciplines—such as biomechanics, periodization, and functional anatomy—with advanced quantitative methods including statistical modeling in R and Python and machine learning applications. To accommodate full-time professionals, the program utilizes a hybrid instructional model and offers a 50 percent tuition waiver for all admitted students. Admission requires a master’s degree in a related field and three letters of recommendation, though no GRE is required.

According to Brian Biagioli, the program’s founding faculty member and Graduate Program Director, no current U.S. credential offers this specific combination of elite athletic performance understanding and advanced data analytics. The program is strategically timed as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 34 percent growth in data science employment, and the sports analytics sector continues its rapid expansion. Senior Vice Dean Soyeon Ahn emphasized that the program covers the entire data lifecycle, from collection and analysis to translating insights into impactful action within high-performance environments.

Students will complete a 270-hour supervised practicum in real-world performance settings and a capstone project focused on delivering clear recommendations to coaches and organizational leadership. While Australia has established similar doctoral-level models through institutions like the Queensland University of Technology and Deakin University, the University of Miami’s initiative represents a significant shift in the American educational landscape. Graduates are expected to fill senior leadership roles such as Sport Science Director, Director of Sport Performance and Analytics, and Human Performance Lead across the professional and collegiate sports sectors.