Need AA to transfer from JUCO?

He will be in a much better position (and will have a lot more options) if he obtains his Associates Degree from his JuCo before attempting to transfer. He can take classes online in the summer and maybe can maybe even between semesters. But I would have him get on this quickly. Hopefully he has an Academic Advisor at his JuCo. I would start there.

The best person to answer your questions is @Rick at Informed Athlete

The biggest problem with not having AA is losing classes.  If you have AA, most 4 yr will accept classes.  If not, you risk retaking classes.  

Thanks PF.  So what ur saying is he can transfer and play ball right away, but he may end up being a sophomore and not a junior,  for example, due to credits not transferring?

@hawaiidad, probably not applicable to your son since he already attended a D1, but for other people finding this thread I will add that transferring from juco to NCAA will be easier if you have already received your qualifier status from the NCAA Eligibility Center. Normally you apply for this while in high school, but I think you can still apply while at juco. If you aren't an NCAA qualifier, then there are additional academic requirements from your juco years in order to practice and play immediately at the D1. For example, a minimum of 2.5 GPA on your transferrable credits.

I know that's the letter of the law, but I don't hear about kids getting hit with this issue very often. For those with "real world" experience, do schools find ways around it?

@hawaiidad posted:

My son committed to D1 this past fall. Attended fall semester as a freshman, practiced and played with the team. Early Dec, didnt make the final spring roster. Went into the transfer portal, transferred to a JUCO where he is currently playing baseball now as a freshman.He is taking enough credits to play, not sure if it will all add up to an AA after 2 years. Question, can he finish 2 years at the JUCO and not obtain his AA and still transfer to a D1 or D2 and continuing playing baseball without taking a year off?   Or must he obtain his AA to transfer to D1 to keep playing without taking time off?

If he doesn't obtain his AA degree, D2 could be an option but D1 would not.  In either case, other academic requirements must also be satisfied to be eligible so that he doesn't need to serve a "year in residence." 

Hi Rick,  thanks for your response.  Your message is slightly different,  that he can't transfer to a D1 without his AA.  I just found out he has 2 teammates that are freshman like him (transferred in from D1 after being let go in the fall), that just committed to D1 programs.   Are the rules different after one year vs after 2 years of Juco?  That is, can transfer without AA degree if after one year to D1 but not after 2 years without AA degree (unless take 1 year off)?

For any "4-2-4" transfer going back to the NCAA D1 level (or for one who started out at D2, D3 or NAIA who is trying to go 4-2-4 to D1 in any sport), the athlete must complete their AA degree (and satisfy other requirements) to be eligible in their first year at the D1.

Also, a 4-2-4 baseball athlete must satisfy these requirements before attending the D1.  They can't "make up" any other needed requirements during the Fall to gain eligibility for the season.  If you have further questions specific to your son, you're welcome to contact me by a DM or through our website.