September 10th: Degree Requirements

Fly Ball is a baseball student-athlete at Ocean State University (OSU).  Fly a sophomore and currently pursuing a degree in Political Science. Fly has had trouble with many of his classes, so he would like to change his desired degree program to Business Administration.  OSU’s policy allows students to change their major at any point during the fall semester.  If Fly changes his major now, will his hours have to count toward Political Science or Business Administration for purposes of meeting NCAA progress toward degree requirements at the conclusion of the semester?

Fly’s hours may count toward Political Science or Business Administration.

Division I NCAA Bylaw 14.4.3.1.7 states that the calculation of credit hours under the progress-toward-degree regulation (Bylaw 14.4.3.1) shall be based on hours earned or accepted for degree credit at the certifying institution in a student-athlete’s specific baccalaureate degree program, as follows:

(a) During the first two years of enrollment, a student-athlete may use credits acceptable toward any of the institution’s degree programs;

(b) By the beginning of the third year of enrollment (fifth semester or seventh quarter), a student-athlete shall be required to have designated a program of studies leading toward a specific baccalaureate degree. From that point, the credits used to meet the progress-toward-degree requirements must be degree credit toward the student’s designated degree program;

(c) A student-athlete who changes his or her designated degree program between terms may comply with the progress-toward-degree requirements if:

(1) The change in programs is documented appropriately by the institution’s academic authorities;

(2) The credits earned prior to the change are acceptable toward the degree previously sought; and

(3) The credits earned from the time of the change are acceptable toward the new desired degree.

(d) A student-athlete who, in accordance with institutional policy, changes his or her designated degree program during a regular academic term may use credits earned during the term to fulfill credit-hour requirements toward the degree previously sought or the newly designated degree; and

[14.4.3.1.7-(d) relettered as 14.4.3.1.7-(e), unchanged.]

[14.4.3.1.7.1 through 14.4.3.1.7.3 unchanged.]

Here is legislation to review  if Fly was a student-athlete at James River Institute:
Division II NCAA Bylaw 14.4.3.7.7 states that a student-athlete who changes his or her designated degree program after his or her fifth semester or seventh quarter of collegiate enrollment may comply with the credit-hour requirements set forth in Bylaws 14.4.3.2, 14.4.3.3 and 14.4.3.4 if: (Adopted: 1/18/14 effective 8/1/16 for certifications of progress toward degree for fall 2016 and thereafter)

(a) The change in programs is documented appropriately by the institution’s academic authorities;

(b) The credits earned before the change are acceptable toward a degree previously sought; and

(c) The credits earned from the time of the change are acceptable toward the new desired degree.