The Physical Education Graduation Requirement
All students shall earn one unit of physical education (PE) & wellness, which may be met by electing and satisfactorily completing five courses, each equal to 0.2 units, selected from physical education & wellness classes, intercollegiate athletics, study abroad, and LandSea, subject to the following conditions:
- A modified or otherwise specifically planned program will be developed by an advisor in the department for any student having a complete or partial restriction as indicated on that individual's health record.
- Students are urged to complete the requirement over the period of five quarters.
- Students may take as many PE activity classes as they desire, but only one unit, or five 0.2-unit activities, will be counted toward the graduation requirement.
- All PE/wellness courses may be repeated as often as desired, with the exception of Outdoor Leadership.
- Varsity athletes earn .25 units per sport per academic year, and split seasons such as golf will award one activity credit for the academic year, whether the athlete participates in fall or spring or both. Therefore, should a student play 4 seasons of a varsity sport, they will earn the full PE/Wellness unit. (Effective academic year 2016-2017)
- One course credit for physical education/wellness may be granted for each six months of military service or each quarter of ROTC training.
- In some instances, students may receive PE/Wellness credit for activity classes on study abroad, especially those indigenous to a particular culture. These credits must be certified through the Center for International Programs.
Courses include various opportunities. Some courses require that students furnish their own equipment or transportation; some require a modest fee; but one can achieve the full unit with on-campus, non-fee courses. For on-campus fee courses, the fee is charged directly to the student account; for off-campus fee courses, the student pays the instructor as indicated on the course schedule.
Course categories include Fitness, Dance, Sport Skill, Life Skill/Health, Outdoor, Independent Study, Varsity Sports, and Full Unit. Note that some courses may fit into more than one category.
Fitness: Barre, Developmental Swimming, Individual Fitness, Distance Running, K-Cycle, Weight Training, Interval Training, Yoga, and AM Power Workout, Pilates
Dance: Wellspring Dance Classes
Sport Skill: Badminton, Basketball, Equestrian, Pickleball, Racquetball, Golf, Soccer, Squash, Tai Chi, Tennis (Beginning and Advanced), Volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee Club, Stunt and Cheer Club
Life Skill/Health: CPR and First Aid, Gardening, Step Up, Tower Bell Ringing, Composting, Cooking Basics, Scuba, Lifeguard Certification, Learn to Swim, Walking: Mind, Body, Community, Design Your Path, FirstGen2Success
Outdoor: Arboretum Stewardship, Backpacking, Land/Sea and Land/Sea Leadership, Outdoor Leadership (.4 units), River Canoeing, Rock Climbing, Wilderness First Aid and CPR, Snowshoeing, and Mountain Biking
Independent Study: Courses available for an activity that is not offered on the course schedule. All independent studies will need an instructor and must be approved by the Department Chair.
Varsity Sports: Athletes who complete 4 varsity seasons will earn the full PE unit. (.25 units per season)