Wellbeing (PE) Requirements Q&A
I thought the program was called PE (Physical Education)?
Recently the requirement was renamed to Wellbeing instead of PE. This evolution captures the broad range of classes on offer that enhance both personal and community well being.
How do I register for Wellbeing classes (formally known as PE)?
Students register for Wellbeing classes on Bionic similar to Academic classes.
Make sure to sort using Wellbeing and the Haverford Campus to find classes offered at Haverford. Look for an August email alerting you to registration dates for Wellbeing.
How many credits do I have to take in order to complete the requirement?
Students need to complete 6 credits to fulfill the requirement.
Are there any required credits?
In the past, the only required Wellbeing (PE) credit was called Intro to Fitness. There is a new required class called Intro to Wellbeing. Students may choose either Intro to Fit or Intro to Wellbeing in order to fulfill the only required Wellbeing (PE) credit.
Can I fulfill the requirement by taking the same class, club or intramural sport?
Yes, students can take the same class, a mix of classes or complete the requirement competing with a club sport team.
How is the Wellbeing (formally known as PE) year divided?
The year is divided into 4 quarters, 2 quarters per semester.
The fall semester: Fall and Winter I qtrs. The spring semester: Winter II and Spring qtrs.
Is there a deadline to complete the credits?
It is recommended that students complete the requirement by the end of their sophomore year.
Do I still need to complete the requirement if I am a varsity athlete?
If you are a varsity athlete, students will complete their Wellbeing requirement through lifts, practices and competitions. Student-athletes must compete with their team for either two or three years depending on their sport.
Can I take Wellbeing classes at Bryn Mawr College?
Yes, students can take classes at Bryn Mawr College. Please register for classes on Bionic, similar to Haverford classes. Their dates might differ from Haverford though. More information can be found here: https://gobrynmawr.com/sports/2023/1/25/information-physical-education-requirements.aspx
Can I take dance classes, at Bryn Mawr, for Wellbeing (PE) credit?
Yes, students can earn their Wellbeing credits through dance classes at Bryn Mawr. Make sure they are not for academic credit though. Students won't be able to receive Wellbeing credit for dance classes if they are receiving academic credit.
Are there accommodations for students and who should I contact?
Please contact our Office of Access and Disabilities for more information. This is their website:
https://www.haverford.edu/access-and-disability-services/about
Phone: (610) 896-1324 Email: hc-ads@haverford.edu
What if I do not complete the requirement upon graduation?
The Registrar's office will not release your transcript.
Wellbeing (PE) Requirements
Haverford College's Athletic Department is committed to the belief that physical education is an integral component of each student's liberal arts education and offers a wide range of athletic opportunities — Intercollegiate Varsity Teams, Competitive Club Teams, Intramural Programs, Instructional Classes, and Recreational Activities — designed to meet the diverse and changing interests of its students body within the college's mission of excellence and individual growth.
The Athletic Department will provide facilities, guidance, instruction and other resources to create, support and maintain a broad based offering of programs to promote the health and fitness needs throughout Haverford's student, faculty and staff community. The Athletic Department will encourage each student's involvement in physical activities in order to promote and establish a foundation for a lifelong commitment to and involvement in fitness and health.
All students at Haverford are required to participate in the physical education program during their first two years of College in partial fulfillment of their degree. For physical education purposes, the academic year is divided into 4 quarters. Students must complete 6 quarters of physical education, one of which is the "Intro To Fitness" class, prior to the start of junior year. "Intro To Fitness": covers a wide variety of material designed to provide students with the knowledge needed to incorporate fitness and proper nutrition into their lives at Haverford and beyond. Varsity athletes who complete their in-season fitness workouts under the supervision of the Head Coach and Fitness Center Director will satisfy the "Intro To Fitness" requirement.
Alternative methods to satisfy the physical education requirement are available for students with medical conditions preventing exercise. Please contact Susan McCabe (610-896-1117 or (smccabe1@haverford.edu).
The physical education requirement does not carry academic credit.
Students interested in coordinating an established or creating a new intramural league should contact Susan McCabe. Students interested in teaching a physical education class should contact Susan McCabe. Credit is offered in both instances.
Students who have earned three credits and completed their first year can earn an independent study – community service credit – through 8th Dimension. A maximum of one community service credit may be used to fulfill the physical education requirement.
Attendance rather than proficiency is the basis for granting credit. A student is allowed as many absences in a quarter as a class meets per week. All cases of failure to fulfill the physical education requirement will be reviewed by the Dean of the College and the Director of Athletics. Please note that you run the risk of your transcript not being released if your graduation requirements have not been met.
If you have any questions, please contact The office is located on the second floor of the GIAC.
