Mar 19, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2019-2020 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Academic Honor Societies


Academic Honor Societies

National Honor Societies that are represented at The University of Scranton are listed below in order of the foundation of the local chapters.

* Indicates member of the Association of College Honor Societies.

Alpha Sigma Nu*

The National Jesuit Honor Society was founded in 1915 with chapters in 30 Jesuit universities throughout the United States. The Scranton chapter was founded in 1943, the oldest Honor Society in the University. It is the only Honor Society open to students and faculty in all disciplines and all colleges of the University. Its admission standards are the most rigorous. The Greek letters signify adelphotes skolastikon nikephoron – brotherhood of honor students. Juniors and seniors who have distinguished themselves in scholarship, loyalty and service are eligible for membership. Appointment is made by the president of the University on the recommendation of the moderator and nomination by chapter members of the Society. The Society annually presents the Edward Gannon, S.J., Alpha Sigma Nu University award for teaching.

Phi Alpha Theta*

Phi Alpha Theta is for undergraduate and graduate students and professors of history. Its mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. Basic requirements: 15 credits in history; grade point average of 3.5 in history and overall ranking in top 35% of class. 

Sigma Xi

International Honor Society in scientific research founded in 1886. The University’s chapter was chartered in 1968 and has been authorized since 1979 to induct as associate members undergraduate or graduate students showing outstanding promise in original research.

Sigma Pi Sigma*

National Honor Society in physics for undergraduate and graduate students, founded in 1921. Its chapters are restricted to colleges and universities of recognized standing which offer a strong physics major. The University’s chapter was founded in February 1969.

Omicron Delta Epsilon*

International Honor Society in economics. Basic requirements: junior standing, 15 credit hours in economics with an overall grade point average of 3.0 and a 3.33 average in economics. The University’s XIV chapter of Pennsylvania was founded in May 1969.

Psi Chi*

International Honor Society in Psychology founded in 1929, and the University’s chapter was installed in 1969. Its mission is to recognize excellence in scholarship and to advance the science of psychology. The organization has more than 1,200 chapters in all 50 states and around the globe. Minimum qualifications include a major or minor in psychology, rank in the top 35th percentile in general scholarship, and superior scholarship in psychology.

Phi Delta Kappa

International professional fraternity for men and women in education. Membership is limited to graduate students and teachers. The University’s chapter was founded in 1970.

Pi Gamma Mu*

International Honor Society in social science. Founded in 1924 to improve scholarship in the social sciences and to encourage interdisciplinary study. Basic requirements: at least 60 hours of academic work, an overall grade point average of at least 3.4, with at least 21 hours in the disciplines of economics, human services, psychology, sociology, political science or history. The University’s chapter was founded in 1971.

Pi Mu Epsilon

To qualify for Pi Mu Epsilon, a student must (i) major within the mathematics department, (ii) be a junior or senior, (iii) have taken MATH 114 , 221 , 222 , and 351 , (iv) have taken six additional credits at or above the level of MATH 299 , and (v) have a 3.33 GPA overall and a 3.5 GPA in mathematics courses.

Alpha Mu Gamma

National Honor Society for students of foreign languages, founded in 1931. The Greek letters signify amphi mouse glosson: for the muse of languages. The University’s chapter of Theta Iota was installed in May 1973.

Phi Lambda Upsilon

National Honorary Chemical Society established in 1899. The University’s Beta Kappa chapter, one of 60 chapters nationwide, was installed in October 1975. For students with a chemistry grade point average of at least 3.00 (20 credits in chemistry minimum) and an overall 3.00 grade point average (64 total credit minimum).

Alpha Epsilon Delta*

The national Health Preprofessional Honor Society founded in 1926. The University’s Iota Chapter was installed in May 1976. Membership is open to students who have completed at least three semesters of pre-professional health work, have a minimum GPA of 3.2, and a science GPA of 3.2.

Theta Alpha Kappa*

National Honor Society in theology and religious studies founded in 1976 at Manhattan College. The University’s Alpha Nu chapter was installed in April 1980. Membership requires 12 credits in theology with an average of 3.5 and an overall grade point average of 3.0.

Sigma Tau Delta*

National Honor Society in English founded in 1924. This organization is for students who major in English or Theatre, and/or minors in English, Theatre, or Writing with a grade point average of 3.4 or better in English, Theatre and Writing courses and an overall grade point average of 3.4 or better. The University’s Mu Omicron chapter first met in April 1980.

Alpha Epsilon Alpha

An Honor Society founded in 1980 at The University of Scranton by Fr. Joseph Hamernick, S.J., to recognize students who excel in their general studies and especially in the field of communication. For senior-level communication majors in the top 10 percent of the senior class.

Alpha Kappa Delta*

International Honor Society for sociology students founded in 1920. Requirements include at least junior (third year) status and 12 credits in sociology with a grade point average of 3.0 both in sociology and overall. Students must also be in the top 35 percent of their class in general scholarship. The University’s Upsilon chapter was founded in May 1980.

Pi Sigma Alpha*

National Honor Society in political science founded in 1920. The Kappa Iota chapter at the University was installed in May 1980. Membership is limited to juniors and seniors with at least 18 credits (six courses) in political science, a grade point average of at least 3.4 in these courses, and overall rank in the top third of the class.

Alpha Phi Sigma*

The National Honor Society for criminal justice, founded in 1942. The University’s Epsilon Zeta chapter was installed in May 1982. Candidates must be a junior or senior having a criminal justice major or minor; complete at least four (4) criminal justice courses; maintain a 3.2 grade point average overall, as well as in criminal justice; and have class standing in the top 35%.

Phi Sigma Tau*

National Honor Society for students of philosophy. The University’s Tau chapter was installed in May 1982. Membership requires a major or minor in philosophy as well as excellence in philosophy, in both scholarly and extra-curricular activities. Induction is based on nomination and voting results of philosophy faculty and current members of the society.

Omega Beta Sigma

The Women’s Business Honor Society at The University of Scranton, founded in 1982, recognizes the academic excellence of students in business. Membership requires at least sophomore standing, a major or minor in some area of business, and an overall grade point average of 3.25 or higher.

Upsilon Pi Epsilon

The first and only existing International Honor Society in the Computing and Information Disciplines, founded in 1967, and endorsed by the two largest professional organizations in the world, the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the IEEE Computer Society (IEEE-CS).

The mission of UPE is to recognize academic excellence at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in the Computing and Information Disciplines. It is the expressed purpose of Upsilon Pi Epsilon to promote the computing sciences and to encourage its contribution to the enhancement of knowledge.

The University’s Gamma Chapter was founded in 1985 and now numbers over300 members. Information, including eligibility requirements, may be found at www.cs.scranton.edu/~upe.

Sigma Theta Tau*

International Honor Society of Nursing founded in 1922. The University’s Iota Omega Chapter was chartered in April 1988. Membership is by invitation to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students who demonstrate academic excellence in the scholarship and practice of professional nursing. Qualified candidates have demonstrated outstanding ability in nursing, and rank in the upper one-third of the class. This prestigious organization of leaders, scholars and researchers comprises a global community of nurses who lead in using knowledge, scholarship, service and learning to improve the health of the world’s people.

Kappa Delta Pi

International Honor Society for education established in 1911. The Sigma Chi chapter was installed at The University of Scranton in 1992. It joins more than 500 chapters around the world in fidelity to four cherished ideals: Humanity, Science, Service and Toil.

Beta Beta Beta

National Honor Society for biology founded in 1922. The University’s chapter, established in 1994, is one of more than 520 chapters in the United States and Puerto Rico. The society encourages undergraduate biological research through presentations at conventions, publication in the journal BIOS, and research/travel grants. All undergraduate students interested in biology may join as associate members. A regular member must be of sophomore or higher status with a 3.0 grade point average in biology and having completed at least three biology courses (one upper level) and in good academic standing at the University.

Beta Gamma Sigma*

Beta Gamma Sigma is the only business honor society recognized by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. To be eligible for membership, the academic ranking of those being considered must place them in the upper 10% of the junior class, upper 10% of the senior class or upper 20% of the graduating master’s class. The University’s chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma was chartered in spring 1997.

Lambda Pi Eta*

The National Honor Society for communication majors was founded in 1985 to honor and encourage high levels of scholarship and leadership in the field of communications. The University’s chapter was installed in 1999. Membership in The University of Scranton’s chapter requires senior-level communication majors in top 35 percent of the senior class.

Upsilon Phi Delta

The Upsilon Phi Delta Honor Society was founded in 1999 and established at The University of Scranton in 2002. This national organization recognizes graduate and undergraduate students in the health administration programs. Students must have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.25.

Phi Epsilon Kappa

Phi Epsilon Kappa is a national, professional fraternity for persons engaged in or pursuing career in health, exercise science, kinesiology, physical education, recreation and sports management.  Membership is designed to stimulate scholarship among the individual members and advance the fields. The University of Scranton’s local chapter name is Zeta Gamma.

Requirements: a declared Senior Exercise Science major at the University of Scranton; an overall GPA of a 3.5 or higher; a GPA of 3.5 within Exercise Science courses.

Nu Rho Psi

Although the National Honor Society for neuroscience was founded in 2007, the Pennsylvania Alpha chapter was established at the University in 2006. For membership, students must have a demonstrated interest in neuroscience, an overall minimum grade point average of 3.2, and a 3.5 average in neuroscience-related courses.

Epsilon Eta (Eta Sigma Gamma Chapter)

Since 1967, Eta Sigma Gamma’s mission is the “promotion of the discipline by elevating the standards, ideals, competence, and ethics of professional prepared men and women in Health Education.”  Membership is open to all Community Health Education majors who qualify with a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 and a grade point average of at least a 3.2 in the major.  The Epsilon Eta chapter was installed at the University in 2012.

Chi Delta Rho

Chi Delta Rho is the University of Scranton Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International. The mission of Chi Sigma Iota, the international honor society for professional counselors, counselor educators, and students is to promote scholarship, research, professionalism, leadership and excellence in counseling, and to recognize high attainment in the pursuit of academic and clinical excellence in the profession of counseling.  The focus is on promoting excellence in the profession of counseling and encouraging members to become more involved in professional development, community engagement, wellness and more.  Students eligible to join CSI must have completed 9 credits and must have an overall GPA of 3.5 or better while enrolled in the program.

Tau Upsilon Alpha

The Department of Counseling and Human Services successfully began its first National Honor Society for the B.S. program. The founding members were inducted during our inaugural induction in May 2008. The Tau Upsilon Alpha (TUA) National Honor Society is sponsored by the National Organization for Human Services and the EPSILON Chapter is available to recognize academic excellence of undergraduate Counseling and Human Services students.

The Epsilon Chapter of TUA supports the mission of NOHS “to honor academic excellence; to foster lifelong learning, leadership and development; and to promote excellence in service to humanity.”

Eta Sigma Gamma

Since 1967, Eta Sigma Gamma’s mission is the “promotion of the discipline by elevating the standards, ideals, competence, and ethics of professional prepared men and women in Health Education.”  Membership is open to all Community Health Education majors who qualify with a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 and a grade point average of at least a 3.2 in the major.  The Epsilon Eta chapter was installed at the University in 2012. 

Eta Kappa Nu (HKN)

International Honor Society for Electrical Engineers and Computer Engineers founded in 1904.  The University installed the Lambda Nu Chapter of HKN in 2012. Election to membership is a scholastic honor and is recognition of a student’s leadership qualities and personal character.  Requirements for membership include sophomore engineering/physics majors with an overall grade point average of 3.4; junior engineering/physics majors with an overall grade point average of 3.2; senior engineering/physics majors with an overall grade point average of 3.0. Members are expected to participate in on-campus IEEE/HKN seminars and IEEE/HKN service activities. 

Alpha Delta Sigma (ADS)

Alpha Delta Sigma (ADS), a national honor society sponsored by the American Advertising Federation (AAF), recognizes and encourages scholastic achievement in advertising studies. ADS is the only national, professional advertising honorary society in American higher education.  Each year, hundreds of students from the AAF’s college chapters are nominated and inducted into Alpha Delta Sigma. The organization dates back to 1913, when the fraternity was founded at the University of Missouri. In 1969, ADS merged with Gamma Alpha Chi, a similar organization for women. Later, in 1973, ADS merged with the American Advertising Federation.

MU Kappa Tau

Mu Kappa Tau is the only Marketing Honor Society to offer both national recognition and chapter affiliation to its members. Founded by members of Pi Sigma Epsilon in 1966, its purpose is to recognize academic excellence and to encourage individuals seeking a lifelong commitment to an exceptional standard of ethics and achievement within the marketing discipline.  Associated with more than 40 colleges and universities, Mu Kappa Tau proves to be a dynamic and ever growing organization with over 15,000 members. Mu Kappa Tau invites those who have attained academic excellence and/or have made significant contributions to marketing education or the marketing profession to join us!

The mission of Mu Kappa Tau (International Marketing Honor Society) is to recognize the scholarship, achievement, and professional development of marketing students committed to the advancement of marketing education and the integrity of careers in marketing.

The vision of Mu Kappa Tau (National Marketing Honor Society) is to be identified as the leading marketing honor society. We endeavor to recognize academic excellence in marketing, to build a community of marketing students and professionals, and to provide tangible value to our members.