McDaniel College requires that each student demonstrate competence in activities that fall into two broad categories: fitness and skill activities. Of the four activity competencies required, at least one must be from each category. This requirement may be satisfied by demonstration of competence through current professional certification, skill testing, intercollegiate sports, or by successfully completing physical activity courses.

Students who satisfy all or part of the physical education requirement through certification, testing, or athletic participation receive course exemptions, not course credit. For more information see the undergraduate catalog (pdf).  Each course provides instruction in the fundamental skills and basic knowledge of the activity.  Most activity courses meet for approximately 15 hours during one of three 5-week sessions during the semester and earns the student 0.5 credit hours towards graduation.  A few activity courses earn one (1141 Fundamentals of Exercise and Conditioning, 1155 Special Topics in Physical Activities, and 1170 Scuba Diving) or two credits (1176 Lifeguarding and 1178 Water Safety Instructor) and meet for approximately 30 hours during the semester.

Activity Courses (0.5 credit hours)
1002 Fencing
1003 Judo
1005 Wrestling
1006 Educational Gymnastics
1008 Karate
1016 Weight Training
1017 Water Aerobics
1018 Orienteering
1020 Jogging
1031 Ballet
1033 Modern Dance
1035 Jazz Dance
1037 Tap Dance
1039 Basic Aerobics
1041 Step Aerobics
1043 Creative Rhythms & Dance
1045 Square & Western Dance
1047 Folk/Social Dance
1055 Special Topics in Physical Activities 
1067 Archery
1068 Backpacking
1069 Badminton
1070 Fundamental Motor Skills
1071 Basketball
1072 Bowling
1073 Casting
1074 Canoeing
1076 Field Hockey
1077 Golf
1078 Kayaking
1079 Lacrosse
1081 Racquetball
1082 Rappelling
1083 Rock Climbing
1084 Skiing
1086 Soccer/Speedball
1087 Softball
1088 Team Handball
1089 Tennis
1091 Volleyball
1092 Wallyball