NCAA Eligibility
The NCAA is an association of member colleges that makes certain rules governing eligibility, recruiting and financial aid. The rules are intended to provide a better environment for student recruitment and appropriate standards to govern the manner in which institutions compete with one another both on and off the playing field.
Included in NCAA eligibility standards are GPA requirements and the completion of a "core course" curriculum as defined by the NCAA. The definition of a "core course" may not match other definitions of "college preparatory."
High school students are responsible for following the rules and meeting the eligibility standards. Failure to do so may affect eligibility for intercollegiate athletics. Students concerned about NCAA eligibility should see their school's college/career counselor for a list of "core courses" and general information about eligibility.
Student athletes interested in participating in sports at the college level must meet the following NCAA Clearinghouse minimum requirements:
1. Graduate from high school.
2. Earn a grade-point average of at least 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in a core curriculum of at least 14 academic
courses, which must be successfully completed during grades 9 through 12.
Only courses that satisfy the NCAA definition of a core course can be used to calculate your NCAA GPA. No special values are
allowed for "+" or "-" grades. The chart below shows what your core courses must include as a minimum.
Core Units Required for NCAA Certification
English Core:
Division I = 4 years; Division II = 3 years
Math Core:
Division I = 2 years; Division II = 2 years
Science Core:
Division I = 2 years; Division II = 2 years
Social Science Core:
Division I = 2 years; Division II = 2 years
In addition, Division I schools requires 1 more year from English, Math or Science. Division II schools require 2 more years from English, Math, Social Science, or Natural/Physical Science.
Division I and II schools require 3 years of additional core subjects which could include Math, Science, Social Science, Foreign Language, Philosophy, Non-Doctrinal Religion.
TOTAL CORE CREDITS REQUIRED:
DIVISION I = 14
DIVISION II = 14
