Do Independent Study courses work for the college-bound student athlete according to the NCAA?
Yes. All of the NCAA criteria are met when students take Independent Study courses through Portland State University, as long as they choose courses that are defined as “core”. The NCAA makes the following statement in the 2005-2006 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete: Q. May independent-study, Internet, and correspondence courses count as core courses? A. Yes, as long as the following four conditions are met: • The course meets core-course requirements (see page 9). • You and the instructor have access to each other during the course so that the instructor can teach, evaluate, and provide assistance to you. • Appropriate academic authorities evaluate your work according to the high school’s academic policies. • The course is acceptable for any student to take and is placed on your high-school transcript. The NCAA states that “a core course must:” • Be an academic course in one or a combination of these areas: English, mathematics, natural/physical science, social science, fore
