NCAA Core Courses for British Columbia

If you're a student-athlete in British Columbia aiming to play in the NCAA, you need to know which high school courses count toward your core course requirements. The NCAA has strict academic rules, and not every BC class qualifies. This blog breaks it down clearly and gives you tools to stay on track.

What Are the NCAA Core Course Rules?

To be eligible for NCAA Division I or II, Canadian athletes must complete 16 core courses in high school, just like U.S. athletes. These courses must fall into specific categories:

• 4 years of English

• 2 years of Math (Algebra I level or higher)

• 2 years of Natural/Physical Science

• 1 additional year of English, Math, or Science

• 2 years of Social Science

• 4 additional years from any of the above or foreign language, religion, or philosophy

But here’s the catch: the NCAA reviews and approves courses province by province, so what works in BC might not work in Alberta or Ontario.

Which British Columbia Courses Count for NCAA?

The NCAA Eligibility Center evaluates BC courses by subject and grade level. Here are a few examples from approved lists:

English/Native Language:

• English Language Arts 10

• Literary Studies 11

• English Studies 12

Math:

• Pre-Calculus 11

• Foundations of Math 11

• Pre-Calculus 12

Natural/Physical Science:

• Life Sciences 11

• Chemistry 11

• Physics 12

Social Science:

• Explorations in Social Studies 11

• 20th Century World History 12

• Law Studies 12

Note: Courses like “Workplace Math,” “Communications,” or “BC First Peoples” often do not qualify.

To avoid mistakes, use our BC-specific NCAA Core Course Tracker. It’s built for Canadian athletes.

Download the British Columbia NCAA Tracker

How to Track Your Progress the Easy Way

Staying NCAA-eligible doesn’t have to be complicated. Our free tools do the hard work for you:

• ✅ BC NCAA Core Course Tracker

• ✅ Core Course GPA Calculator

• ✅ NCAA Eligibility Checklist (PDF download)

Try the GPA Calculator Get the Free NCAA Checklist

Why This Matters (Personal Insight)

When my own son began his NCAA journey, we assumed his high school courses were fine they weren’t. It wasn’t until we looked at province-specific NCAA data that we caught the mistake. That’s why we built trackers for each province, starting with BC.

This isn’t just about eligibility it’s about keeping your dreams alive.

FAQ: NCAA Core Courses for British Columbia Athletes

1. Do BC private school courses count for NCAA eligibility?

Yes, if they are on the NCAA-approved list. Always double-check each course.

2. What happens if I take a non-core math course like Workplace Math?

It won’t count toward the 16 core credits required, which may make you ineligible.

3. Can I recover if I already missed a core course?

You might be able to retake a course online or in summer school, but it must be NCAA-approved.

4. Is French considered a core course?

Yes, French is accepted as a foreign language credit under the “additional” category.

5. When should I start tracking my core courses?

Start in Grade 9. The earlier, the better especially if you want to play D1 or D2.

This blog is part of our Canada-wide NCAA series. If you're in Alberta, check out our Alberta NCAA Core Courses blog here.