Physical Education Requirement

General Information
Physical Education Department
Dodge Physical Fitness Center
212-854-3439

Physical Education Website 

All Columbia College students must complete a two-semester Physical Education requirement and pass a swim test in order to graduate. 

Students may register for only one Physical Education course in a single semester. Students may elect to take additional semesters of Physical Education for academic credit after the minimum requirement of 2 credits has been fulfilled, up to a maximum of 4 points of credit for Physical Education courses that can count towards the B.A. degree.

Dance courses at Barnard College can be taken to fulfill the two-semester Physical education requirement.

Grades for Physical Education courses are generally based on attendance and participation. To pass a course, students must fulfill the attendance and participation requirements outlined by each section and available on the physical education website. Students who are absent more than the permissible number of times are withdrawn from the course, unless they complete and file a drop form by the official deadline to drop a course.

If students will miss a class meeting in order to observe a major religious holiday, they are responsible for arranging make-up classes with the instructor or departmental representative prior to the holiday.

The Swim Test Requirement

The swim test requirement can be fulfilled either by passing a swim test or by taking a one-semester PHED swimming course for beginners.

Students may request a waiver for the swim test for reasons of disability or for reasons of religious observance. A waiver related to a disability that precludes swimming must be certified by Columbia Health. A waiver related to religious observance that precludes swimming must be approved by the director of the Physical Education program. All requests for waivers and accommodations are reviewed by the director of the Physical Education program.

Intercollegiate Athletics

Intercollegiate Athletes and the Physical Education and Swim Test Requirement

To fulfill the two-semester Physical Education requirement, a rostered student-athlete who intends to participate in an intercollegiate sport should register for the appropriate section of PHED UN1005 INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS. Intercollegiate athletes may earn up to 4 points of credit of PHED UN1005 toward the degree. 

Student-athletes who leave the team in mid-term but still wish to receive academic credit must notify the Physical Education Office and be placed in another physical education course to complete the attendance requirement. 

Student-athletes are responsible for fulfilling the swim requirement according to the guidance noted above.

Eligibility for Intercollegiate Athletics

Any student in the College who is pursuing the undergraduate program or a combined program toward a first degree is eligible for intercollegiate athletics. To be eligible for athletic activities, the student must make appropriate progress toward the degree as defined by the NCAA, the Ivy League, and Columbia University. These criteria are monitored by the Center for Student Advising and certified by the Office of the Registrar.

 

Questions about athletic eligibility should be referred to the appropriate advising dean or the compliance office in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education.

For more information, visit www.gocolumbialions.com.