How Canadian Athletes Can Ensure They Meet NCAA Core Course Requirements
- Collegiate Goals Editorial Team
- Mar 16
- 4 min read
For Canadian athletes pursuing NCAA sports, meeting the NCAA core course requirements is a critical step in maintaining eligibility. However, many student-athletes don’t realize they’re missing required courses until it’s too late.
The NCAA enforces strict academic eligibility standards, requiring student-athletes to complete a set number of NCAA-approved core courses before they can compete at the Division 1 or Division 2 level.
Not sure if you’re on track? Use our NCAA Core Course GPA Calculator to check your eligibility now!
What Are NCAA Core Course Requirements?
The NCAA requires student-athletes to complete 16 core courses during high school to be eligible for Division 1 or Division 2 competition. These courses are designed to ensure that athletes are academically prepared for college coursework.
✔ 4 years of English
✔ 3 years of math (Algebra 1 or higher)
✔ 2 years of natural/physical science (including one lab course)
✔ 1 additional year of English, math, or science
✔ 2 years of social science
✔ 4 additional years of any of the above or foreign language, religion, or philosophy
💡 Key Takeaway: These requirements apply to both Canadian and U.S. athletes, but Canadian students must ensure their high school courses are NCAA-approved.
How Canadian Athletes Can Find NCAA-Approved Core Courses
Not every course in Canada meets NCAA eligibility standards. The best way to check if your courses qualify is by using the NCAA Eligibility Center’s high school database.
📌 How to Find NCAA-Approved Courses in Canada:
1️⃣ Go to the NCAA Eligibility Center’s High School Database:🔗 https://web3.ncaa.org/hsportal/exec/hsAction
2️⃣ Enter your high school’s name and location (province/territory).
3️⃣ Review the list of approved core courses for your school.
4️⃣ Meet with a guidance counselor to confirm your course selections align with NCAA standards.
For a detailed guide on finding NCAA-approved courses in Ontario, check out:🔗 Find Your NCAA-Approved Core Courses in Ontario with Ease
Are You on Track? Use the NCAA Core Course GPA Calculator!
Keeping track of your NCAA core course GPA can be overwhelming, but we’ve made it easy for Canadian athletes with our FREE NCAA Core Course GPA Calculator.
✅ Instantly calculate your core GPA based on NCAA-approved courses
✅ Works for Canadian high school curriculums
✅ Ensure you’re on track and avoid NCAA eligibility issues
💡 Key Tip: NCAA rules change frequently—checking your core course GPA early gives you time to fix eligibility issues before it’s too late.
Common Mistakes That Hurt NCAA Eligibility
🚨 Not taking NCAA-approved courses – Just because a course is accepted by your high school doesn’t mean it meets NCAA standards.
🚨 Falling behind in required subjects – You must complete the correct number of years in English, math, and science.
🚨 Assuming all provinces have the same requirements – NCAA course approvals vary by school and province.
🚨 Waiting too long to check eligibility – It’s best to verify before Grade 11 to avoid last-minute surprises.
What to Do If You Fall Behind on NCAA Core Course Requirements
If you realize you’re missing required core courses, don’t panic—there are ways to fix it:
✔ Retake the course in summer school (if available).
✔ Check if online or correspondence courses are NCAA-approved.
✔ Take additional qualifying courses in Grade 12 if you haven’t completed 16.
✔ Consult with an NCAA Eligibility Advisor to explore options.
💡 Key Takeaway: Catching up early is easier than scrambling to fix eligibility issues during your final year.
SAT & ACT Impact on NCAA Eligibility for Canadians
Although the NCAA stopped requiring the SAT or ACT for eligibility in 2020, some schools and scholarships still require test scores.
✔ Check the admission requirements of the schools you’re interested in.
✔ Some academic scholarships require SAT/ACT scores—verify before applying.
✔ Some divisions (especially D2 and NAIA) may have test requirements.
For more details, read:🔗 How the SAT and ACT Affect NCAA Eligibility for Canadian Athletes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How do I know if my high school courses meet NCAA requirements?Use the NCAA’s high school portal to check:🔗 https://web3.ncaa.org/hsportal/exec/hsAction
Q2: Can I take extra courses in Grade 12 if I missed some core courses?
Yes! As long as they are NCAA-approved core courses, you can take them in Grade 12.
Q3: What happens if my school doesn’t offer enough NCAA-approved courses?
You may be able to take NCAA-approved online courses or enroll in a different school for specific classes.
Q4: Do all Canadian schools have NCAA-approved courses?
No, approvals vary by school. Always check before selecting courses.
Q5: Can I still be NCAA-eligible if I graduate without 16 core courses?
If you’re missing courses, you may need to attend a JUCO (Junior College) or take a post-grad year before qualifying for NCAA competition.
Conclusion
Meeting NCAA core course requirements is essential for Canadian athletes aiming to play college sports in the U.S. The earlier you check your eligibility, the more options you’ll have to adjust your courses and stay on track.
Start by verifying your high school’s NCAA-approved courses, track your progress with our Core Course GPA Calculator, and take action early to avoid last-minute eligibility issues.
For the official NCAA core course requirements, visit:🔗 https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2021/2/8/eligibility-center.aspx
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