Play a key role in helping prospective student-athletes achieve their college athletics goals by supporting the NCAA initial-eligibility certification process. Eligibility Center postgraduate interns work alongside experienced professionals to evaluate academic and athletics certifications, provide customer service, and collaborate with member schools and external partners. Through a unique rotational experience across multiple functional areas, interns gain hands-on experience while developing a comprehensive understanding of the eligibility process.
Is this Internship Right for You?
This internship is ideal for recent graduates pursuing careers in higher education, collegiate athletics, compliance, governance, legal or regulatory affairs, customer service, or athletics administration. Successful candidates are analytical, adaptable, and detail-oriented professionals who enjoy conducting research, analyzing information, solving problems, and serving others. If you’re interested in learning how NCAA legislation and eligibility standards promote fair competition and support student-athlete success, this internship offers valuable hands-on experience across multiple functional areas of the Eligibility Center.
College graduates with a bachelor’s or graduate degree from a four-year NCAA member institution who are pursuing a career in college sports administration. No prior athletics department experience or sports-specific degree required.
A full-time, in-person internship at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis, with 45 positions across 12 departments. Applicants may select up to three departments of interest in a single application.
A yearlong program running June 14, 2027 through May 26, 2028. Relocation to Indianapolis is required.
Interns are paid hourly at a rate that equates to $33,000 annualized and receive full benefits. Applicants should plan for their own relocation costs to Indianapolis.
Eligibility
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a four-year NCAA member institution by the internship start date.
- No prior experience as an NCAA national office intern or employee.
- Legally authorized to work in the United States (international students may apply through Optional Practical Training for F-1 students).
- No age restriction or sports-specific degree required.
- Prior athletics department experience and former student-athlete status are not required.
- Not a current or former NCAA national office intern or employee.
Why Eligibility Center?
The Eligibility Center postgraduate internship offers a unique rotational experience across all five Eligibility Center units—Academic and Athletics Review, Core Processing, Customer Service, High School Review, and Outreach and Strategic Partnerships. Throughout the year, you’ll collaborate with member schools, prospective student-athletes, and NCAA staff while gaining a comprehensive understanding of eligibility certification, customer service, and the interconnected work that supports the initial-eligibility certification process.
What You’ll Experience
Take ownership of meaningful projects that support the eligibility certification process while helping prospective student-athletes and member schools navigate NCAA requirements.
Support five teams over the course of the internship – Core Processing, High School Review, Academic and Athletics Review, Customer Service, and Outreach and Strategic Partnerships – gaining a comprehensive view of the certification process.
Develop regulatory affairs, research, analytical, and customer service skills that translate directly to careers in athletics compliance and administration.
Build relationships with NCAA staff, member schools and external stakeholders while gaining valuable insight into eligibility certification, higher education and collegiate athletics administration.
Job Description
The NCAA Eligibility Center is responsible for certifying the initial-eligibility status of Division I, II, and III prospective student-athletes. The Eligibility Center is comprised of five teams that work collaboratively to support this process: Core Processing, High School Review, Academic and Athletics Review, Customer Service, and Outreach and Strategic Partnerships. Eligibility Center interns will have the unique opportunity to rotate among these five teams throughout the internship experience while collaborating with NCAA staff on a variety of projects and initiatives.
You’ll Gain Experience in:
- Initial Eligibility Certification
- Academic & Athletics Review
- NCAA Compliance & Policy
- Customer Service & Stakeholder Engagement
- Outreach & Strategic Partnerships
Responsibilities
Eligibility Certification
- Assist in reviewing and processing prospective student-athlete registration materials, including academic records, athletics participation history, and supporting documentation.
- Evaluate initial-eligibility waivers and athletics certifications in accordance with NCAA legislation and Eligibility Center policies.
- Support timely and accurate certification decisions for prospective student-athletes.
High School Review
- Assist in evaluating domestic and international schools, coursework, and academic structures.
- Apply NCAA initial-eligibility standards when reviewing academic credentials and educational records.
- Support the evaluation of academic information to ensure accurate eligibility determinations.
Customer Service & Outreach
- Provide rules education and answer questions regarding initial-eligibility rules, policies, and procedures for the public.
- Support outreach initiatives, presentations, and strategic engagement efforts designed to educate NCAA members and prospective student-athletes.
- Build relationships with member schools and external partners while delivering exceptional customer service and support.
What We’re Looking For
Candidates are encouraged to possess many of the following skills and experiences:
- Interest in higher education, collegiate athletics, NCAA compliance or governance
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Analytical thinking and problem solving abilities
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Attention to detail
- Customer service and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines
- Adaptability and willingness to learn in a rotational environment
- Ability to work independently while collaborating across teams
- Professionalism, accountability and sound judgment
- Microsoft Office proficiency, including Excel, Word, Outlook and Teams
Former Eligibility Center interns have built careers in NCAA compliance, athletics administration, higher education, conference offices, governance and student-athlete services, applying the analytical, regulatory and customer service experience gained through the NCAA Postgraduate Internship Program.
If you’re ready to gain hands on experience, build your professional network and make an impact across college athletics, review the requirements and submit your application.