Elections take place in even numbered years at the Biennial Business Meeting of the honor society. Members of the Council are almost always faculty of recognized distinction in the field of political science, or of proven leadership to the honor society. Six of these are elected every two years to serve four-year terms. The Council includes the President, the President-elect, the three most recent past presidents, the Executive Director, the Newsletter Editor, and twelve other members at large. Pi Sigma Alpha is governed by an elected Executive Council, which acts as its board of directors. The initiation fee is the only payment members ever make to the national office of the honor society. Individual chapters often collect additional money from each initiate to use for their own chapter programs. The lifetime national membership fee is $35.00. Chapters may not discriminate on any basis prohibited by law. Įlection to membership may be based solely on stated criteria and is irrespective of membership in an affiliation with any other organization or group. No more than two such honorary members may be elected by a local chapter in any one year. Honorary membership is intended for persons of recognized ability and achievement in the field of political science. For graduate students, completion of nine graduate credits in political science with no grade lower than a B in those courses.įaculty in political science departments where chapters are located are automatically eligible for membership in the honor society.Individual chapters may raise the eligibility threshold they may not lower it. For undergraduates, completion of ten semester-credits or fifteen quarter-credits in political science, including at least one upper-division course, with an average grade of B or higher in all political science courses, and an overall GPA placing the student in the top one-third of his or her class.Student membership is open to juniors, seniors and graduate students currently enrolled in institutions where the chapters are located, who meet the following qualifications: There are three classes of membership in Pi Sigma Alpha: student, faculty, and honorary. Chapters are guided by faculty advisors and by student officers. A local chapter may be established at any college or university granting the baccalaureate or higher degrees, which is accredited by a regional or national accrediting association, and which offers a major sequence of courses in political science through an appropriate administrative department, school, or division of the institution, and which conforms to other requirements established by the Executive Council of the society. Possibilities for leadership experience by serving as an officer.The first chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha was founded in 1920 at the University of Texas at Austin, and the society has grown over the years to nearly 850 chapters (as of 2020).Many opportunities for networking with fellow students, faculty, and alumni.Participate in social activities, community service, and special speaker events.Honor cords and medallion to wear at graduation.This is for lifetime membership and includes national dues, chapter dues, honor cords, and medallion. For all students - One time membership fee of $75.For graduate students - 3.5 GPA and completion of 9 graduate units.Both political science majors and minors are welcome. For undergraduate students - 3.0 cumulative GPA, 3.25 POSC GPA, and completion of 10 units in POSC, three of which must be upper division units (300 level or higher).
These awards are intended to recognize local chapters that are particularly active in their departments and universities and exhibit high levels of energy and creativity in furthering the goals of the honor society.
The Epsilon Eta Chapter at Cal State Fullerton was chosen to receive one of four Pi Sigma Alpha Best Chapter Awards for 2012-2013. The mission of Pi Sigma Alpha is "To stimulate scholarship and intelligent interest in political science." The Epsilon Eta Chapter at Cal State Fullerton supports this mission by sponsoring speaker events, community service projects, and activities that provide the opportunity for deeper conversation with fellow students and faculty. Is the National Political Honor Society, founded in 1920 with over 700 chapters to date.