The PE Requirement and Ways to Fulfill It
The PE Graduation Requirement
All students not excused for medical reasons ahead of time are required to complete 4 units of physical education by the end of their sophomore year. All students must pass a survival swimming test or take up to one unit of swimming instruction. (see catalog rule)
Finish the PE Requirement by the end of Sophomore Year
- There are negative housing consequences if you don't.
PE Swimming requirement
- Either pass the swim test, OR complete a Swarthmore swimming class, earning a PE unit and fulfilling the Swimming requirement at the same time.
The Four Ways to Earn the Required 4 PE units
All PE units are attendance-based. Attend every session expected of you. Most permit a couple absences, but after that, you simply don’t earn PE units for your participation. There are four ways to earn PE units toward the 4-unit requirement:
- Physical Education “PHED” courses teach topics such as tennis or fitness. PHED courses usually are half-semester situations (either the first half of the semester, or the second half) earning 1 PE unit for half a semester of study. Some last the whole semester for 2 units. PHED courses are in the Schedule (at the back) and you register for these like any other course.
- PE Dance courses last the whole semester and normally earn you two PE units. PE Dance courses are in the Schedule (under "D" for Dance) and you register for these like any other course.
- Varsity sport athletes earn 2 PE units per season. Varsity sport PE units are awarded by the coach after the season. You do not register for this kind of PE credit. (Note that no PE units are awarded for non-traditional seasons, i.e. spring soccer does not receive PE credit.)
- Club or club sport participation in PE-recognized clubs or club sports earn 1 PE unit per semester. You do not register for this, the organizer will certify participation after the season.
Only and Not
- PE credit is only available from PE classes offered by the PE department or the Dance department, or varsity sports or club sports or clubs recognized by the PE department for PE credit.
- Working out on your own does NOT earn PE units.
