NCAA Academic Eligibility Requirements

NCAA schools require college-bound student-athletes to build a foundation of high school courses to prepare them for the academic expectations in college.

• Find your high school's list of NCAA core courses
• Learn more about Division I academic requirements
• Learn more about Division II academic requirements

Not all high school classes count as NCAA core courses. Only classes in English, math (Algebra 1 or higher), natural or physical science, social science, world language, comparative religion, or philosophy may be approved as NCAA core courses. Remedial classes and classes completed through credit-by-exam are not considered NCAA core courses.

LMSD classes that are NCAA core courses include:

• English: All general education core English courses and Creative Writing elective.
• Math: All general education core and advanced math courses, all computer science courses (except Cybersecurity)
• Natural/Physical Science: All general education science courses with the exception of Landscape Architecture/Horticulture
• Social Science: All general education social studies courses
• World Language, Comparative Religion and Philosophy: Spanish 1-5, Intermediate Spanish, French 1-5, Latin 1-4, All AP/IB world language courses

If you take a high school class before you start ninth grade, the class may count for your 16 core courses if it is on your high school's list of approved core courses and is shown on your high school transcript with a grade and a credit.

The GPA used for certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center is calculated based only on the grades earned in NCAA approved core courses. Only the best grades from the required number of NCAA core courses will be used. For example, if a student took 18 classes that counted toward the 16 core classes, NCAA will count the 16 with the highest grades to meet the core-course distribution requirement. This ensures students get the highest GPA possible.

Generally, you receive the same number of credits from the NCAA for a core course that you receive from your high school for the class. One academic semester of a class counts for .5 of a core course credit. One academic trimester of a class counts for .34 of a core-course credit. One academic quarter of a class counts for .25 of a core-course credit. A one-year class taken over a longer period of time is considered one core course and is not awarded more than one credit.

Calculate your core-course credits and GPA

NCAA Divisions I and II do not require standardized test scores. Check with the NCAA school you plan to attend regarding whether standardized test scores are necessary for admission or scholarship requirements.

For more information, visit Do I need to submit a standardized test score to the NCAA?