FAQs on the Impact of Changes in Intercollegiate Athletics
What requirements do student-athletes need to meet to compete in intercollegiate athletics?
All students competing in intercollegiate athletics must be enrolled as full-time students. Student-athletes are subject to the same requirements as all other students under Notre Dame’s Undergraduate Academic Code. Student-athletes also must meet certain NCAA metrics, including maintaining a minimum GPA, passing a certain number of credits each semester, and satisfying percentage-of-degree thresholds.
What is the House settlement, and how will it affect Notre Dame’s academic requirements for student-athletes?
The House settlement is a settlement in a number of class action antitrust lawsuits against the NCAA and the Power 4 conferences. Among other things, the settlement permits institutions to directly compensate student-athletes participating in intercollegiate athletics. Neither the House settlement nor any decision on Notre Dame’s part to directly compensate student-athletes affects Notre Dame’s academic requirements for student-athletes.
How does the movement of student-athletes through the transfer portal affect Notre Dame’s admissions policies and academic standards?
The increased use of the transfer portal does not affect Notre Dame’s policies and standards. Notre Dame only accepts undergraduate transfer students who are prepared for the rigors of Notre Dame and who have a path to earning an undergraduate degree at Notre Dame. Under Section 1.2.2. of Notre Dame’s Undergraduate Academic Code, undergraduate transfer students generally must demonstrate at least a year’s worth of coursework at an accredited institution, earned with a B average or better. Notre Dame imposes limits on the curricular area, grades, and teaching modality of courses it will accept for transfer.
Can student-athletes who have already received an undergraduate degree but have remaining eligibility (so called “fifth years”) compete for Notre Dame without meeting academic requirements?
No. A majority of students competing while enrolled in a fifth year of academic study are enrolled in a one-year degree program, usually through the Mendoza College of Business. A student not enrolled in such a program will be enrolled in the Graduate School as a full-time student and can only compete for Notre Dame after presenting a plan of study that conforms to academic requirements that the Faculty Board on Athletics sets. Students must also meet minimum GPA/credit requirements to compete in postseason competition.