PE Program Requirements

Program Requirements Overview

How to Meet the Physical Education Requirement

The Department of Athletics and Physical Education affirms the College’s mission by offering a variety of opportunities promoting self-awareness and the development of skills and habits that contribute to an ongoing healthy lifestyle. The Department offers a comprehensive program that includes competitive intercollegiate athletics, a diverse physical education curriculum and fitness and wellness programs designed to enhance the quality of life for the campus community. 

All undergraduates, who enter as First-Year students, must earn six physical education (PE) credits to fulfill the College’s graduation requirement as described below. 

The physical education (PE) requirement has three parts: 

  1. THRIVE seminar completed in the first semester (2 PE credits). THRIVE is a first-year wellness program that must be completed in the first Fall semester at the College
  2. Swim proficiency (1 PE credit).  The swim proficiency may be completed by either passing the swim test or by completing an instructional beginners swim PE class.
  3. PE electives  (3 PE credits total). Students may earn the remaining three PE elective credits as follows:
    1. PE classes (quarter classes=1 credits; semester classes=2 credits)
    2. Varsity intercollegiate athletics (2 credits for traditional season, credit is not awarded in the non-traditional segment)
    3. Club sport activities (.5 credit for satisfactory participation for approved clubs. No more than 1 PE credit per academic year for club participation. Club sports are sponsored through SGA and are organized by student chairs of each club.)  In order for a club to be eligible to offer PE credit, the student chair must officially register with Student Activites at the start of the Fall semester. Club PE credits are 0.5 credits per semester. Students cannot earn more than 1 PE credit per academic year for club participation. 

Additional Information

Qualified students may also earn credit for instructional independent study programs at Bryn Mawr by prior approval only. (Two credits maximum). PE credit can be earned for certain dance classes in the Bryn Mawr Dance Department, providing the class is not taken for academic credit. 

PE classes, except for independent study classes, can be taken at Haverford College. Students are expected to complete all aspects of the PE requirement by the end of their sophomore year. Failure to meet these expectations will be reported to the Undergraduate Dean’s Office.

Transfer and McBride Students: For the purposes of the PE requirement, McBride students are treated as either sophomore or junior transfer students, depending on their academic status. All transfers must complete the swim proficiency requirement by either completing the swim proficiency test or by completing a swim class at Bryn Mawr College. Sophomore transfer students must also complete 3 PE elective credits from the PE general requirements. Junior transfer students must complete 1 PE elective credit from the PE general requirements.