Physical Education and Athletics

Requirements and Recommendations

Students are encouraged to enjoy the instructional and recreational opportunities offered by the department throughout their college careers. As a requirement for graduation, all non-veteran students, not excused for medical reasons, are required to complete 4 units of physical education by the end of their sophomore year. In addition, all students must pass a survival swim test or complete one-quarter of aquatics instruction.

Students who enter Swarthmore as transfer students can either apply transfer PE units toward the 4-unit physical education requirement or opt for a reduction in the PE requirement based on the student’s transfer status, but transfer students cannot both transfer PE units and receive a reduction in the requirement. The optional reduction in PE units depends on the transfer class of the student. Transfer students who enter Swarthmore as sophomores can opt to complete 3 units of physical education and pass a survival swim test (a reduction of 1 PE unit). Transfer students who enter Swarthmore as juniors can opt to complete 2 units of physical education and pass a survival swim test (a reduction of 2 PE units).

Courses offered by the department are listed subsequently. Credit toward completion of the physical education requirement will also be given for participation in intercollegiate athletics, as well as PE Dance Courses, which are semester-long courses. Credit will also be given for participation in approved club sports and student activity groups. The approved club sports are as follows: fencing, rugby, Ultimate Frisbee, men’s volleyball and men’s badminton. The approved student activity groups are as follows: aerobics, aikido, capoeira, folk dance, swing dance, tango, squash, men’s soccer and Quidditch.

Under ordinary circumstances, physical education credit will not be awarded for independent study.

Physical Education and Athletics Courses

Intercollegiate Athletics