Educational Column --- Designation of Degree Program and Timing of Degree Change

Date Published: March 22, 2010 Item Ref: 1

NCAA Division I member institutions should note that pursuant to NCAA Bylaw 14.4.3.1.6, a student-athlete must designate his or her degree program prior to participating in competition that occurs during or immediately before the third year of enrollment (fifth semester or seventh quarter). This requirement applies to all student-athletes, including two- and four-year college transfers.

Further, the designated degree program as of the beginning of the third year (fifth semester or seventh quarter) or later academic year of full-time enrollment must be used to certify the student-athlete's percentage-toward-degree requirements for that term.

For example, if a student-athlete has not designated a degree program on the first day of classes of his or her fifth full-time semester, it is permissible for the student-athlete to declare engineering as his or her degree program before the first competition and be certified as eligible for the term, provided the student-athlete is meeting percentage of degree requirements for the engineering degree program.

Alternatively, a student-athlete who has designated marketing as his or her degree program as of the beginning of the fifth full-time semester and is certified as not eligible due to deficiencies in progress-toward-degree requirements may not be subsequently recertified during that term as eligible after changing to a different degree program, even if the change occurs before the student-athlete's first competition in that term and the student-athlete is meeting all progress-toward-degree requirements in the new degree program. The member institution would need to file a progress toward degree waiver for the student-athlete to be eligible for competition during that term.

[References: Bylaws 14.4.3.1.6 (designation of degree program), 14.4.3.2 (fulfillment of percentage of degree requirements), 14.4.3.2.2 (application of rule to transfer student), 14.4.3.3.2 (timing of certification), 14.4.3.3.2.1 (exception -- baseball) and a staff interpretation (04/09/97, Item No. a)]

Notice about Educational Columns: Educational columns are not official or staff interpretations. They are intended to assist the membership by providing examples, scenarios and reminders related to legislation and interpretations at the time of publication. Member institutions are reminded to review the referenced bylaws and interpretations to ensure correct application of current rules and regulations.