NCAA Academic Eligibility Rules
What do I need to know?
What Are Degree-Applicable Units?
- During the first two years
- All units acceptable toward any of UCLA’s degree programs are considered degree applicable for the purposes of satisfying the 6, 8, 27 and 36-unit rules.
- By the beginning of a student-athlete’s third year
- Only units applied towards a student’s designated degree are considered degree applicable for satisfying the 6, 8 and 27-unit rules and the 40/60/80 degree-percentage rule. Units that exceed a student’s elective count are not considered degree applicable once a student enters the third year.
- Last three terms of enrollment
- Like the first two years, all units acceptable toward any UCLA degree program are considered degree applicable for the 6-unit rule as long as UCLA certifies that the student is enrolled in the courses needed to graduate. If the student does not complete all their requirements by the end of the estimated last term of enrollment, the student shall forfeit eligibility in all sports.
Quarterly Rules (6-Unit, 8-Unit & Cumulative GPA)
To be eligible for competition, a student-athlete must meet the following:
6-Unit Rule
Each quarter, a student-athlete must pass at least six (6) degree applicable units in order to compete the following quarter.
8-Unit Rule (Football Only)
Each Fall Quarter, a Football student-athlete must pass at least eight (8) degree applicable units and earn the Academic Progress Rate eligibility point, or they will be ineligible to compete in the first four contests the following season. There are potential exceptions to reduce this suspension—please consult with Nick Thornton, Eligibility Coordinator or Dr. Christina Rivera, Director of Academic & Student Services with any questions.
Cumulative GPA Rule
-
Start of Sophomore Year
Completed Full-Time Terms: 3
Minimum Cumulative GPA (each quarter): 1.80 -
Start of Junior Year
Completed Full-Time Terms: 6
Minimum Cumulative GPA (each quarter): 1.90 -
Start of Senior Year
Completed Full-Time Terms: 9
Minimum Cumulative GPA (each quarter): 2.00
Academic Year Rule (27-Unit Rule)
During the academic year (Fall, Winter & Spring), a student-athlete must pass at least 27 degree applicable units in order to compete the following Fall quarter. Units passed in the summer cannot be used to satisfy this rule.
If a student-athlete does not satisfy this rule at the end of Spring quarter, the student will be ineligible to compete in the Fall but can regain eligibility for the Winter quarter by making up the deficient units.
For Midyear Enrollees
During a midyear enrollee’s first year at UCLA, the 27-unit certification calendar may deviate from the Fall-Winter-Spring calendar. Please consult with Greg Loza, Director of Academic Excellence, for further clarification.
Progress-Toward-Degree Rules (36-Unit & 40/60/80)
To be eligible for competition, a student-athlete must also meet the following progress-toward-degree benchmarks:
-
Start of Sophomore Year
Completed Full-Time Terms: 3
Requirement: Completed 36 degree applicable units. -
Major Declaration
Student-athletes must declare a major by March of their Sophomore Year.
-
Start of Junior Year
Completed Full-Time Terms: 6
Requirement: Completed 40% of degree in designated major. -
Start of Senior Year (4th Year)
Completed Full-Time Terms: 9
Requirement: Completed 60% of degree in designated major. -
Start of Senior Year (5th Year)
Completed Full-Time Terms: 12
Requirement: Completed 80% of degree in designated major.
Note: Student-athletes must declare a major by March of their Sophomore Year.
Eligibility for Postseason Competition — Between Terms
To be eligible for postseason competition (e.g., bowl game, conference tournament or NCAA championship) that occurs between academic terms, a student-athlete must pass at least six (6) degree applicable units during the preceding academic term.
Important Eligibility Note Regarding Baseball Student-Athletes
A baseball student-athlete who is academically ineligible at the beginning of the Fall quarter shall be ineligible for the remainder of the academic year.
Important Note Regarding Grade Qualifiers
To satisfy certain university, general education and major requirements, a student-athlete may be required to pass a class with a specific grade higher than a D-. For example, to satisfy the Writing I requirement (e.g., English Comp 1, 2 & 3), the student must pass the class with a C or higher.
If a class has a “grade qualifier,” a student may need to meet that qualifier for the class to count toward NCAA academic eligibility requirements. It is the student-athlete’s responsibility to check the UCLA General Catalog each quarter to see if enrolled courses have grade qualifiers. Please consult with Greg Loza, Director of Academic Excellence, with any questions.
Examples of classes with a grade qualifier of C or higher
- Econ 1, 2, 11, 41
- Writing I (English Comp 1, 2, 3) & Writing II (courses that end with a “W”)
- English 10A, 10B, 10C
- Math 31A or Stats 10
- Psychology 10, 100A, 100B
- Sociology 1, 20, 101, 102