Brandeis University Physical Education FAQ

Q: Does Brandeis have a physical education requirement?
A: Yes. Brandeis has a physical education undergraduate degree requirement consisting of two semester-long, noncredit activity courses.

Q: How does one satisfy the requirement?
A: The physical education requirement is satisfied in one of three ways.

1. Through the completion of two semester-long, noncredit activity courses
2. Through two seasons of participation on a varsity athletics team
3. By passing a fitness test taken during the student's first two years at Brandeis.
   

Q: Which classes are being offered?
A: Approximately 35 courses are offered each semester in a variety of activities. This link to the Office of the Registrar includes all of this semester's offerings: http://www.brandeis.edu/registrar/schedule/schedule.php?term=083&subject_id=5500&view=ugrad

Q: How does participation in varsity athletics satisfy the physical education requirement?
A: Completion of one full season of participation on a varsity athletics team, as certified by the Department of Athletics and Physical Education, is equal to the completion of one semester-long noncredit physical education course. A student may satisfy the physical education requirement through the completion of two full seasons of participation on a varsity athletics team.

Q: What is the Fitness Test?
A: The Fitness Test is offered four times during a student's first two years at Brandeis. It is a voluntary test that gives students the opportunity to test out of all or part of the physical education requirement. It includes a beep test to measure endurance, a sit-and-reach test to measure flexibility, a sit-up test and a plank test (similar to push-ups) to test core strength.

Q: When can I take the Fitness Test?
A: The Fitness Test is offered at the beginning of each semester and is available to first-year students and sophomores only. The next Fitness Test is scheduled in the Gosman Sports Center on:

Date: Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Time: 4:00 pm-6:00 pm.
First and Second Year Students Only
Please allow 30 minutes for the test. Sneakers and comfortable clothing are required.