Physical Education Requirement
To complete the College degree requirement in physical education, a student must earn at least eight (8) physical education credits through physical education classes, varsity athletics, or recreation programming. These credits do not count as academic units toward the degree, but are required for graduation. Students are strongly urged to fulfill the requirement by the end of the sophomore year.
Fulfilling the Requirement
Most students fulfill the PE requirement by taking two or more physical education classes. Students may also earn PE credits for participation on one or more of Wellesley’s 14 varsity athletic teams or for participation in a department-approved, College-sponsored recreational club team. Qualified students may also earn physical education credit for pre-approved independent study programs (maximum four credits).
No student is exempt from the physical education requirement. If a student has a temporary or permanent medical restriction, the student may work with PERA and Health Services to arrange an activity program to serve the student’s individual needs.
Incoming transfer students are awarded partial credit toward the physical education requirement dependent upon year and semester of admission. Typically, students admitted as sophomores will be expected to complete four credits at Wellesley. Students admitted as juniors or as Davis Scholars will be considered as having completed the degree requirement.
A. Physical Education Classes (maximum credit: unlimited)
Physical education activity classes are scheduled either for a semester or a term. Semester courses are worth four credits. Term courses are worth two.
All classes are graded on a credit/non-credit basis:
- MCR—Credit for course completed satisfactorily.
- MNCR—No credit for course not completed satisfactorily. Inadequate familiarity with the content of the course or excessive absence may result in an MNCR grade.
Students may take a given physical education class only once for credit. Students are encouraged to enroll in physical education classes after they complete the PE requirement to support their own individual fitness and wellness.
B. Varsity Athletics (maximum credit: unlimited)
The intercollegiate varsity program offers 14 sports for which a student may earn PE credit. Enrollment and eligibility for earning credits for intercollegiate varsity athletics is limited to those students who are selected to the team by the head coach. Notices of organizational meetings and tryouts for these teams are distributed each year by head coaches.
C. PERA-Sponsored Recreation Club Team (maximum credit: unlimited)
PERA sponsors eight club sports for which a student may earn PE credits. Students may also earn two PE credits for PERA’s Outdoor Adventure Trips. Students must fulfill the remainder of the graduation requirement either through physical education course work or varsity athletics. For more information about these options, please see the PERA website.
D. Other College-Sponsored Options
Effective for the 2022-2023 academic year, a student will not be able to receive credit for student orgs or ROTC. All previous credits earned in previous academic years will be honored.