Path to Graduation

Division II Two-Year College Transfers

Research has shown that college grade-point average is the strongest predictor of future academic success of transfer student-athletes. In addition, data show that the more physical-education activity credits a student-athlete earns at a two-year school, the less likely he or she is to be academically successful at the four-year college. The division’s new standards for transfers from two-year colleges are built upon that research, better positioning those student-athletes to thrive at a four-year NCAA school.

Beginning Aug. 1, 2016, student-athletes who are transferring from a two-year college must complete an academic year of residence before competing in athletics unless they meet certain academic requirements to be immediately eligible.

Two-Year College Transfer Requirements (Effective Aug. 1, 2016)

Qualifier with no four-year attendance and ONLY one full-time semester/quarter at two-year institution	All other qualifiers, partial qualifiers and nonqualifiers	All other qualifiers, partial qualifiers and nonqualifiers
ONLY one full-time semester/quarter	Two full-time semesters/three full-time quarters	Two full-time semesters/three full-time quarters
12 semester- or quarter-hours of transferable degree credit	·12-semester or 12-quarter-hours of transferable degree credit per term of attendance: ·Six semester/eight-quarter hours of transferable English; ·Three-semester/ four quarter hours of transferable math; and ·Three-semester/four-quarter hours of transferable science	Graduate
Cumulative GPA of 2.200	Cumulative GPA of 2.200*
Limit of two physical education activity credits for credit requirements and GPA	Limit of two physical education activity credits for credit requirements and GPA

* A nonqualifier who meets all the two-year transfer requirements EXCEPT the 2.20 GPA but has a minimum 2.00 GPA is eligible for practice and financial aid.

More information on two-year transfers can be found here.

Division II Progress Toward Degree

The division’s progress-toward-degree requirements are designed to guide student-athletes through their academic journey to graduation. The standards, effective Aug. 1, 2016, ensure student-athletes take the appropriate steps toward their degree, tackling everything from grade-point average to term-by-term and annual credit hour requirements.

When the new requirements take effect, student-athletes will need to meet them in order to remain eligible for athletics participation. Eligibility in Fall 2016 is based on coursework completed during the 2015-16 academic year.

Summary of Division II Progress-Toward-Degree Requirements (Effective Aug. 1, 2016)

Entering second year of collegiate enrollment	Entering third year of collegiate enrollment	Entering fourth year of collegiate enrollment	Entering fifth year of collegiate enrollment
Nine credits in the last full-time term of enrollment	Nine credits in the last full-time term of enrollment	Nine credits in the last full-time term of enrollment	Nine credits in the last full-time term of enrollment
18/27 credits earned during regular academic year (not including summer)	18/27 credits earned during regular academic year (not including summer)	18/27 credits earned during regular academic year (not including summer)	18/27 credits earned during regular academic year (not including summer)
24 semester/36 quarter hours	24 semester/36 quarter hours or 48/72 following second year of collegiate enrollment	24 semester/36 quarter hours	24 semester/36 quarter hours
2.0 cumulative GPA	2.0 cumulative GPA	2.0 cumulative GPA	2.0 cumulative GPA
	Designation of degree program

Application of Progress-Toward-Degree Requirements (Effective Aug. 1, 2016)

Bylaw	Description	Application
14.01.2 14.01.2.1 14.4.3.1	Good academic standing	All student-athletes
14.4.3.2	Completion of nine hours in previous term of full-time enrollment	All student-athletes who have been enrolled full-time at any collegiate institution
14.4.3.3	Completion of 18/27 hours earned during the regular academic year (does not include summer)	All student-athletes who have been in residence one year, utilized one season of competition or midyear transfers
14.4.3.4	Completion of 24/36 hours earned each academic year (including summer)	All student-athletes who have been in residence one year, utilized one season of competition or midyear transfers
14.4.3.5	Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 earned by the beginning of each fall term	All student-athletes beginning second year of collegiate enrollment
14.4.3.6	Designation of degree program	All student-athletes beginning third year of enrollment (fifth semester/seventh quarter) and thereafter

View the NCAA bylaws here.

Division II Path-to-Graduation

Check out the DII Path-to Graduation Education Toolkit

Division II’s academic standards are designed to be a partnership between each school and its student-athletes to set them on a path to graduation from the day they step on campus.

The division’s initial eligibility requirements are based on research that shows students who meet the minimum standard are prepared to handle college-level coursework when they arrive as freshmen. From there, goals are set for each academic year to ensure student-athletes progressively advance toward their degree while competing in their sport.

It’s part of the division’s belief that a successful college athletics experience requires a balance between athletics, the classroom and campus life.

Find out about the new path to graduation, including guidelines for initial eligibility, progress-toward-degree and two-year college transfers.