Coral Gables, FL – April 6, 2026 - The School of Education and Human Development at the University of Miami is launching the first-in-kind Executive Doctor of Science (DSS) in Sport Science and Data Analytics. This pioneering program equips visionary working professionals to lead at the intersection of sport science, advanced data analytics, and human performance innovation.
In an era where evidence-based decision defines every competitive edge, the Executive DSS combines scientific rigor with data-driven insight to advance athlete development, performance optimization, and organizational strategy. From biomechanics and physiological load to cognitive readiness, injury prevention, and tactical performance, graduates master tools to transform complex data into actionable outcomes that elevates teams and individuals.
Launching Fall 2026, the 60-credit program blends online, hybrid, and in-person instruction to accommodate full-time professionals with all admitted students receive a 50 percent tuition waiver. The curriculum integrates translational research, executive leadership, sport science (biomechanics, periodization, functional anatomy, sport psychology), with quantitative and computational methods including statistical modeling in R and Python and machine learning applications for sport data. Admission requires a master's degree in a related field and three letters of recommendation. No GRE is required.
The program addresses a critical industry need. While professional leagues, collegiate athletic departments, and performance labs generate vast amounts of data, there remains a shortage of experts who can interpret and apply these insights through a sport science lens. The global sports analytics market is projected to surpass $31 billion by 2034, while the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects data science employment to grow 34 percent over that same period, positioning DSS graduates to lead in both arenas.
"Organizations require professionals who understand elite athletic performance and can apply advanced data analytics to it," said Brian Biagioli, EdD, Graduate Program Director in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences and a founding faculty member of the Executive DSS. “No current U.S. credential offers that combination”.
A 270-hour supervised practicum places students in real-world performance environments under industry professionals. The program culminates in a capstone project focused on translating complex data analysis into clear, actionable recommendations for coaches and organizational leadership.
"Data gains its true power when placed in context and used to inform meaningful decisions," said Soyeon Ahn, Ph.D., Senior Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Faculty Affairs. "This program bridges the entire data lifecycle - from data collection and analysis to translating insights into impactful action within high-performance environments."
Global Benchmark, U.S. Innovation Australia leads with Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) Sports Data Science and AI initiative, in partnership with the Australian Institute of Sport and Queensland Academy of Sport, University of Technology Sydney’s CSIRO PhD scholarships, Deakin’s top-ranked Doctor of Philosophy in Exercise Science. The UM’s Executive DSS brings that same applied, doctoral-level model to the United States, drawing on UM's established research legacy in biomechanics and exercise physiology.
Graduates will step into senior leadership roles including Sport Science Director, Director of Sport Performance and Analytics, Human Performance Lead, and Senior Research Scientist across professional and collegiate organizations.
"We are training the people who will define this field over the next decade," Dr. Biagioli said. "That's what the industry is asking for." Applications for the inaugural Fall 2026 cohort are now open. For further information, please contact Dr. Biagioli at b.biagioli@miami.edu.
