Athletes: USA - NCAA eligibility: Division II

Division II academic eligibility

To be eligible to compete in NCAA sports during your first year at a Division II school, you must meet ALL the following requirements:

• Earn 16 NCAA-approved core-course credits:

  • Three years of English.

  • Two years of math (Algebra 1 or higher).

  • Two years of science (including one year of lab, if offered).

  • Three additional years of English, math or science.

  • Two years of social science.

  • Four additional years of English, math, science, social science, world language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy.

• Earn a minimum 2.2 core-course GPA.

• Submit your final transcript with proof of graduation to the Eligibility Center.

What if I don’t meet the requirements?

If you have not met all of the Division II academic standards, you may not compete in your first year at a Division II school. However, you will be deemed a partial qualifier. All Division II partial qualifiers may practice and receive an athletics scholarship, but may NOT compete, during their first year of full-time enrolment at a Division II school.

If you are concerned you may not meet the Division II academic requirements, consider taking the following actions:

• Ask for advice from your high school counsellor. Check in with the admissions or compliance office at the college you hope to attend.

• Get tutoring or other study help.

• Avoid quick fixes through credit recovery programs. These courses may not be accepted by the NCAA.

• Keep your coursework. If the Eligibility Center needs to review your record due to irregularities, you may be asked to provide your coursework.

• Follow your high school's policies. The best thing to do is work within the rules.

Amateurism

The NCAA promotes amateurism to create a level playing field for all student-athletes. Student-athletes who compete in college sports are students first, athletes second. If you want to compete in NCAA sports at a Division II school, you must have a completed amateurism certification in your Eligibility Center account.

Sources:

https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2014/10/24/play-division-ii-sports.aspx (accessed on 24 May, 2024)