NCAA Coursework Requirements
Student-athletes must complete appropriate coursework to qualify for NCAA programs. Therefore, it's important that you and the school's coaches monitor changes in NCAA coursework requirements and communicate such changes to your student-athletes. Here’s how you can help your student-athletes stay on track.
Coursework Requirements for NCAA Athletics and Scholarships
Here is an overview of the basic NCAA eligibility criteria. Visit the NCAA Eligibility Center for more details.
| Division I: 16 Core Courses | Division II: 16 Core Courses |
|---|---|
| 4 years of English | 3 years of English |
| 3 years of math (algebra 1 or higher level) | 2 years of math (algebra 1 or higher level) |
| 2 years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab science if offered) | 2 years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab science if offered) |
| 1 extra year of English, math, or science | 3 extra years of English, math, or science |
| 2 years of social science | 2 years of social science |
| 4 years of additional core courses (from any category above, or in a foreign language, nondoctrinal religion or philosophy) | 4 years of additional core courses (from any category above, or in a foreign language, nondoctrinal religion or philosophy) |
Academic Standards
Division I Eligibility
- All students entering college must have completed 16 core courses in high school.
- Earn a corresponding test score that matches your core course GPA (minimum 2.3) on the Division I Sliding Scale.
Division II Eligibility
- All students entering college must have completed 16 core courses in high school.
- Earn a corresponding test score that matches your core course GPA (minimum 2.2) on the Division II Sliding Scale.
For more details, go to the Resources section for NCAA eligibility fact sheets.
NCAA Core Courses Definition
- An academic course in one or a combination of these areas: English, mathematics, natural/physical science, social science, foreign language, comparative religion, or philosophy.
- A four-year college preparatory course and a course at or above the high school's regular academic level, for example, an AP class or outside college course.
Note: Remedial courses, or those taught at a slower pace or that cover less content are not admissible. And not all classes that meet high school graduation requirements meet NCAA course work requirements.
Help your students check your high school's list of approved core courses on the NCAA Eligibility Center High School Portal.
Meeting NCAA admission requirements does not guarantee admission into college—it simply determines whether students may participate in athletics during their freshman year. Students must follow each member college's admission policies and apply directly to that college.