If you are a student-athlete looking to play at the NCAA Division I or Division II level, you will need to get your NCAA Eligibility Number. One of the steps to getting your NCAA Eligibility Number will be completing 16 “core courses”.
It's crucial to understand that not every class provided by your high school is considered a "core course" by the NCAA. You can find a list of all the classes that qualify as core courses on the NCAA website. To be eligible to play for a Division I or Division II program, you need to complete at least 16.
NCAA Approved Core Courses
- English: Level 1-4 English, as well as courses like American Literature and Creative Writing
- Math: Level 1-3 Algebra, as well as Geometry or Statistics
- Sciences: Natural or physical science such as Biology, Chemistry or Physics
- Social Sciences: American History, Civics or Government
- Other: comparative religious courses and Spanish levels 1-4
Although Division I and Division II both require you to take at minimum 16 total core courses, they each have slightly different requirements regarding how you can complete those courses.
Specific Division I Requirements
At the Division I level, you must maintain a minimum 2.3 GPA in your core courses to remain eligible. You will need to take the following high school classes to complete your core courses:
- Four years of English
- Three years of math (Algebra 1 or higher)
- Two years of natural/physical science (including one year of lab science if your high school offers it)
- One additional year of English, math, or natural/physical science
- Two years of social science
- Four additional years of English, math, natural/physical science, social science, foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy
Specific Division II Requirements
You need at least a 2.2 GPA at minimum in your core courses for the Division II level. You will need to take the following high school classes to complete your core courses:
- Three years of English.
- Two years of math (Algebra 1 or higher).
- Two years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab science if your high school offers it).
- Three additional years of English, math, or natural or physical science
- Two years of social science
- Four additional years of English, math, natural or physical science, social science, foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy
Need help calculating your core course GPA? Learn how to do it here.
How Long Do I Have to Complete My Core Courses?
For NCAA Division I Eligibility, you must complete your core courses in eight academic semesters or four consecutive academic years from the start of your 9th-grade year. For NCAA DII Eligibility, you have to complete all your core courses before high school graduation.
Keep in mind, this is fairly easy to do as a high school student. If you are worried you are not on the right track to completing your courses, contact your academic advisor or college counselor.
Register for your NCAA Eligibility Number
To obtain your NCAA Eligibility Number, you need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. The registration process involves filling out basic information about yourself, submitting your high school transcript, and proving your amateur status. Before registering, we suggest that you take some time to become familiar with the requirements for obtaining your Eligibility Number.