UMass Boston

UNDERSTANDING PROGRESS TOWARDS DEGREE
 
Most undergradute degree programs call for 120 credits to graduate. It is important that the focus of the student-athlete experience is centered on the path to graduation.  This means understanding degree requirements to graduate in a timely fashion.   
  
The NCAA requirements call for minimums.  Each major has different requirements.  It is IMPORTANT to know that in order to graduate in 4 years you must successfully pass 30 credits per year.  If you successfully pass 24 credits per year it will take you 5 years to graduate.   
  
Below are important terms that student athletes should be familiar with: 

• Full-time enrollment: A student who is enrolled in 12 or more credits in a semester for undergrad and 9 credits for graduate school.  

In order for a student-athlete to compete or practice the student athlete needs to be enrolled as a full-time student. During the regular academic year, a student athlete must complete a minimum of six progress towards degree credit hours per regular academic semester in order to be eligible for the next academic semester. A student athlete must also pass a minimum of 24 progress towards degree credit hours during the academic year, including the winter or summer session, in order to be eligible for the next academic year.  
 
Below is an important sequence, beginning with first semester freshmen student-athletes, detailing their credit hour and GPA requirements: 
  
After first term of enrollment: 

• Student-athlete must have completed a minimum of six term credit hours and a minimum GPA of 1.5  

After second term of enrollment: 

• Student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater*  

• Student-athlete must have earned a minimum of 24 credit hours between initial term of enrollment and end of third term*  

*May be achieved using coursework in the summer following the second term of enrollment  

After third term of enrollment: 

• Student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater  

After fourth term of enrollment: 

• Student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater*  

• Student-athlete must have earned a minimum of 48 credit hours between initial term of enrollment and end of fifth term*  

*May be achieved using coursework in the summer following the fourth term of enrollment  
  
After fifth term of enrollment:  

• Student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater  

After sixth term of enrollment: 

• Student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater  

• Student-athlete must have earned a minimum of 72 credit hours between initial term of enrollment and end of seventh term*  

*May be achieved using coursework in the summer following the sixth term of enrollment  
  
After seventh term of enrollment: 

• Student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater  

After eighth term of enrollment: 

• Student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater  

• Student-athlete must have earned a minimum of 96 credit hours between initial term of enrollment and end of ninth term*  

*May be achieved using coursework in the summer following the eighth term of enrollment  
  
After ninth term of enrollment (if a student-athlete has not exhausted eligibility): 

• Student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater   

After tenth term of enrollment (if a student-athlete has not exhausted eligibility): 

• Student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater  

• Student-athlete must have 100% of their degree complete  

Regarding student-athletes who either transfer into UMass Boston, or compete while enrolled as a graduate student/graduate level coursework, the information below would be applicable: 

• Student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater, at both the undergraduate and graduate level 

• For transfers: Student-athlete must have earned a minimum of 24 credit hours between initial term of enrollment and end of second term* 

• *May be achieved using coursework in the summer or winter semesters 

• For graduates: Student-athlete must have earned a minimum of 18 credit hours between initial term of enrollment and end of second term* 

• *May be achieved using coursework in the summer or winter semesters 

In general, all student-athletes must also adhere to the following standards:  

1. A student-athlete should maintain a good academic standing with the institution.    

2. Unless in their final term of enrollment, a student-athlete must be enrolled full time during the regular academic year in order to maintain athletic academic eligibility.    

3. As an undergraduate student, a student-athlete must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours to maintain full-time enrollment; as a graduate student, a student-athlete must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 credit hours to maintain full-time enrollment.    

If a student-athlete drops below full-time status during the regular academic term, he or she will immediately forfeit eligibility to compete, practice or participate in most team activities. As a result, it is important that all class schedule changes be made with the assistance and permission of the Assistant Athletic Director for Student Athlete Academic Success. A student-athlete may NOT drop a class until he or she meets with the Major Advisor and receives specific written permission by the Assistant Athletic Director for Student Athlete Academic Success.