Description
Bryn Mawr's Physical Education curriculum is designed to provide opportunities to develop lifelong habits that will enhance the quality of life. From organized sport instruction, to dance, lifetime sport skills, and a wellness curriculum (the THRIVE seminar), the Department provides a breadth of programming to meet the needs of the undergraduate student. The physical education and dance curriculums offer more than 50 courses in a variety of disciplines and ability levels.
Registration - Students register for physical education courses during the first week of classes of each semester.
McBride and Transfer Students
Student with Disabilities/Medical ConditionsÂ
Physical Education Requirement
TOTAL CREDITS TO FULFILL PHYSICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: 6 Credits (Swim - 1 Credit, THRIVE - 2 Credits, General Elective - 3 Credits)
Core Requirements – Core Requirements are mandatory for all students matriculating at Bryn Mawr College. The Core Requirements at Bryn Mawr College are designed to cover a variety of topics and to develop a certain level of skills for all students to be completed by the end of their sophomore year.
1. Swim Proficiency Requirement
The swim proficiency requirement can be met by either:
a. Scheduling a time to take the test by the completion of junior year. Once satisfactorily passed, a P (equivalent to 1 credit) will be awarded to indicate the requirement has been met.
-OR-
b. Register and complete the Bryn Mawr beginning swim class for 1 credit. Upon satisfactorily completing the quarter class, a student will earn 1 credit for the class and a P for passing the swim test.
Students should contact the Aquatics Director directly for information about classes, swim test dates, or questions about receiving P.E. credit for their Swim Proficiency.
2. THRIVE (2 Credits)
Students must complete the THRIVE seminar during the Fall semester of their first year at Bryn Mawr College. Contact your dean with any questions.
Core Requirements Credit Total (3 Credits)
General Electives - Students are required to accrue a minimum of 3 credits through General Elective opportunities. Students can choose from Quarter classes (1 credit) or Semester classes (2 credits).
1. PE Classes (1-2 Credits)
Credits determined by the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation
2. Dance Classes (Credits Vary)
The Dance Program offers dance technique classes to be taken for PE credit. Contact the Dance Program for a list of classes that offer PE credit.
3. Bi-Co/Tri-Co PE Classes (Credit Varies)
4. Varsity Athletics (Maximum 2 Credits/Year)
5. Club Sports (Maximum 1 Credit/Year)
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 1Â PE credit per academic year for club participation.Â
6. Independent Study - must be preapproved (Maximum 2 Credits)
 Independent Study Physical Education supports students who choose to engage in an activity/course that Bryn Mawr's Department of Athletics and Physical Education does not offer and/or is a class or activity that is performed during the summer or while a student is studying abroad. The IS opportunity does not include activities that students engage in as a part of a regular lifestyle or fitness routine. A self-paced work-out proposal will not be accepted. Classes must be instructor based with documentation of participation. The goal of the IS option is to enhance the current physical education curriculum by encouraging students to learn an activity that is not offered as part of the curriculum or accommodate a special circumstance. Students may earn up to 2 PE credits total for an independent study project. Prior to the start of the IS project the student must complete an IS proposal request to the Departments P.E. Independent Study Coordinator for approval. Appropriate documentation is required for credit to be awarded. Please see the Independent Study page or contact Hayley Kirby (hkirby@brynmawr.edu) for more information.                     Â
7. Special Offerings (Credit Varies)
Condensed department sponsored recreational classes that fall outside of traditional academic time blocks (i.e. Lifeguard Certification, R.A.D.).
General Electives Credit Total: 3 Credits
General Policies and Procedures
Bryn Mawr College recognizes that the Physical Education requirement is essential to a student's introduction to health and well-being at the College. As such, students are expected to complete the Physical Education Core Requirements during their first year and complete all Physical Education requirements by the completion of their sophomore year.
Grades and AttendanceÂ
- Students are expected to wear proper attire when participating in physical education classes, including, but not limited to the following: sneakers, socks, proper athletic shorts/pants and proper athletic tops. Attendance is based both on physical presence and full participation in each class.
- Semester long class: Students are expected to actively participate in class. To earn credit a student is permitted no more than 4 missed classes. No partial credit is given for PE classes.
- Quarter long class: Students are expected to actively participate in all classes. To earn credit a student is permitted no more than 2 missed classes.
- Multisemester Grading : Students are expected to complete each P.E. class with in the semester it is offered. Unless the class is designed as a multi-semester class, students are not given the option to cherry pick dates from multiple semester to 'complete' enough sessions to earn credit.
- Pass: Students successfully complete the class if they actively participate in the number of classes required. Specific requirements for each class will be communicated by the course instructor and should be contained in the course syllabus.
- No Credit: Students not meeting the parameters for participation and attendance will receive a grade of NCR and will need to take another course for PE Credit
Modification to the requirements - To request a modification of the PE requirement, including swimming, students should contact the Coordinator of Access Services and submit the required documentation as early as possible.
- McBride Students are not required to take THRIVE. Any introduction to the College, if deemed appropriate, will be handled by the College and not considered part of the PE requirement.
- McBrides entering with first year or sophomore status will be treated as sophomore transfer students (see below) for the purpose of the determining their PE requirements.
- McBrides entering with junior status will be treated as junior transfer students (see below) for the purpose of determining their PE requirements.
Transfer Students Students entering as juniors: (2 Credits)
- Will be expected to fulfill the swim requirement during their junior year - 1 Credit
- Will be expected to fulfill 1 Credit of PE General Elective - 1 Credit
Students entering as sophomores: (4 Credits)
- Will be expected to fulfill the swim proficiency requirement - 1 Credit
- Will be expected to fulfill a minimum of 3 credits of PE General Elective - 3 Credits
Physical Education Requirement for Students with Disabilities/Significant Chronic Medical Conditions
Students with diagnosed disabilities/significant chronic medical conditions that limit their participation in Physical Education are advised to reach out to Access Services. In addition, students are encouraged to work with PE faculty and their physicians to explore whether there may be modifications to other PE courses that would enable them to participate safely. If it is not possible for students to complete the required credits with appropriate coursework, they may request modification of the requirement. To request modification of the Physical Education requirement, including swimming, students should contact the Coordinator of Access Services and submit the required documentation as early as possible.Â
Students who receive a medical exemption from the swim test are required to take AHA or ARC CPR/AED/First Aid to fulfill the requirement, if possible based on the impact of the disability. This course is available through the Bryn Mawr College Physical Education department, or the student may complete the course at their own expense through the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org) or the American Heart Association (www.heart.org).
Students should note that only CPR/AED/First Aid courses offered by ARC, AHA, or through the Bryn Mawr College Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation will be considered for Physical Education credit.
