Introducing a New Pre-Collegiate Option for Student-Athletes
At International Development Academy (IDA), we are constantly evolving our ecosystem to better support the long-term academic and athletic goals of our student-athletes. As part of this commitment, IDA is expanding its academic offerings through a new optional Pre-Collegiate pathway, made available in partnership with TPH Academy.
This new option allows eligible IDA athletes to access authentic, accredited U.S. college-level online coursework while continuing to train full-time in a professional football environment — as an add-on to IDA’s core Study, Train, Play experience.
What Is the Pre-Collegiate Pathway?
The Pre-Collegiate pathway is an academic option designed to complement IDA’s football development model by offering student-athletes the opportunity to earn real college credit during their time at IDA.
Through this pathway, students may enroll in:
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College-level online courses
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Taught by certified professors
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Delivered by regionally accredited U.S. colleges and universities
All coursework is fully operated by the academic institution, including curriculum, grading, deadlines, and academic policies.
How This Fits Within IDA’s Academic Model
The Pre-Collegiate pathway is offered as a standalone online academic experience and is not integrated into IDA’s blended on-site academic programs.
Key structure points:
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Courses are fully asynchronous
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Students complete coursework independently
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Academic instruction, pacing, and evaluation are managed directly by the partner institution
IDA supports academic planning and pathway alignment, while academic delivery remains the responsibility of the college. For this reason, this option is best suited for independent learners who are comfortable balancing college-level coursework alongside a high-performance training schedule.
Who Is This Option Designed For?
This pathway may be a strong fit for:
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Gap year athletes seeking to remain academically engaged
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International students bridging into the U.S. academic system
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Student-athletes planning for NCAA or university pathways
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Players looking to earn college credit while training abroad
In certain cases, this option can support students who have completed a gap year and need to begin post-secondary coursework, with their NCAA eligibility clock running, while progressing toward a future university transfer.
Important Academic Considerations
As with all post-secondary pathways, families should clearly understand:
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Courses are fully accredited college-level offerings
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Credit transferability is determined solely by the receiving institution
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NCAA eligibility decisions are made by the receiving institution and its compliance office
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Neither IDA nor its partners can guarantee transfer or eligibility outcomes
Early coordination with NCAA compliance offices and prospective universities is strongly recommended.
Partner Institutions
As part of this pathway, students may complete coursework through select U.S. partner colleges chosen for academic rigor, flexibility, and athlete-friendly structures, including:
How Families Can Learn More
If the Pre-Collegiate pathway aligns with a student’s academic and athletic goals, families will then be introduced directly to IDA’s academic partner team for detailed guidance and next steps.
An Expanded Academic Ecosystem at IDA
By introducing this optional Pre-Collegiate pathway, IDA continues to expand its academic ecosystem — offering greater flexibility while maintaining credibility, structure, and long-term outcomes.
This option reinforces IDA’s commitment to supporting student-athletes not only in their football development, but also in building a clear, informed academic pathway for the future.
