Brandeis University Physical Education/Health and Wellness FAQ

Q: Does Brandeis have a physical education requirement?
A: Yes. For any student that enrolled at Brandeis for the first time prior to the Fall 2019 term, there is a physical education undergraduate degree requirement consisting of two semester-long, noncredit activity courses. For students that enroll for the first time in the Fall 2019 term or later, the physical education requirement has been replaced by a requirement in health, wellness and life skills.

Q: How does one satisfy the requirement?
A: For any student that enrolled at Brandeis for the first time prior to the Fall 2019 term, 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.

For any student that enrolled at Brandeis for the first time in the Fall 2019 term or later, the health, wellness and life skills requirement can be found here.

Q: Which classes are being offered?
A: Approximately 25 courses are offered each semester in a variety of activities. This link will open a window to the Office of the Registrar that includes all of this semester's offerings.

Q: How does participation in varsity athletics satisfy the physical education requirement?
A: For any student that enrolled at Brandeis for the first time prior to the Fall 2019 term, 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.

For any student that enrolled at Brandeis for the first time in the Fall 2019 term or later, 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 module from the "mind and body balance" category.

For any additional questions regarding the physical education requirement, contact physed@brandeis.edu.