St. Charles, Mo.-based Lindenwood University will apply for NCAA Division II status, the school announced Friday.

Lindenwood is currently an NAIA school that fields both men’s and a women’s varsity lacrosse programs. The men’s program is ranked No. 13 in Men’s College Lacrosse Association Division I, and the women’s program is ranked No. 9 in the WDIA.

A decision on whether the school will be accepted into the NCAA is expected by July 1, Lindenwood men’s head lacrosse coach Troy Hood said. However, even if Lindenwood becomes an NCAA-sanctioned program, it is not certain the lacrosse programs would be sanctioned, Hood said.

It is more likely for the women’s program because of Title IX issues, but Hood said he is hopeful.

“I think it’s the best thing for the school,” Hood said. “We’ve developed equally. We have the foundation and the facilities in place.”

If Lindenwood is accepted, the Lions would remain an NAIA school for two years. Lindenwood’s lacrosse programs would become provisional members of the NCAA in the 2013 season and become a full members in the 2014 season.

Lindenwood has 46 athletic programs in all, and not all of them will make the cut into the NCAA, Hood said. Lindenwood would become the second NCAA-sanctioned lacrosse program in Missouri, joining St. Louis-based Division III Fontbonne University.

“Lindenwood has made great advancement in recent years and has experienced tremendous growth in academics, enrollment and facilities,” School President James D. Evans said in a news release. “While the NAIA is a quality organization and Lindenwood has been a proud member for nearly 40 years, we feel that NCAA Division II is the best fit for our institution in the future.”