Rank organization that recognizes excellence among peers
"Honor Societies", illustration from the 1909 Tyee (yearbook of the University of Washington ) In the United States , an honor society is a rank organization that recognizes excellence among peers. Numerous societies recognize various fields and circumstances. The Order of the Arrow , for example, is the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America . Chiefly, the term refers to scholastic honor societies , those that recognize students who excel academically or as leaders among their peers, often within a specific academic discipline.
Many honor societies invite students to become members based on the scholastic rank (the top x% of a class) and/or grade point averages , either overall or for classes taken within the discipline for which the honor society provides recognition. In cases where academic achievement would not be an appropriate criterion for membership, other standards are usually required for membership (such as completion of a particular ceremony or training program). Scholastic honor societies commonly add a criterion relating to the student's character. Most honor societies are invitation-only, and membership in an honor society might be considered exclusive, i.e., a member of such an organization cannot join other honor societies representing the same field.
Academic robes and regalia identifying by color the degree, school, and other distinctions, are controlled under rules of a voluntary Intercollegiate Code. In addition, various colored devices such as stoles , scarves , cords , tassels , and medallions are used to indicate membership in a student's honor society. Of these, cords and mortarboard tassels are most often used to indicate membership. Most institutions allow honor cords, tassels and/or medallions for honor society members. Stoles are less common, but they are available for a few honor societies. Virtually all, if not all honor societies have chosen such colors and may sell these items of accessory regalia as a service or fundraiser.
Many honor societies are referred to by their membership or by non-members as fraternities and sororities . Honor societies exist at the high school , collegiate /university , and postgraduate levels, although university honor societies are by far the most prevalent. In America, the oldest academic society, Phi Beta Kappa , was founded as a social and literary fraternity in 1776 at the College of William and Mary and later organized as an honor society in 1898, following the establishment of the honor societies Tau Beta Pi for Engineering (1885), Sigma Xi for Scientific Research (1886), and Phi Kappa Phi for all disciplines (1897). Mortar Board was established in 1918, as the first national honor society for senior women, with chapters at four institutions: Cornell University , the University of Michigan , Ohio State University , and Swarthmore College . Later, the society became coeducational .
The Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) is a predominantly American , voluntary association of national collegiate and post-graduate honor societies. ACHS was formed in 1925 to establish and maintain desirable standards for honor societies. While ACHS membership is a certification that the member societies meet these standards, not all legitimate honor societies apply for membership in ACHS.
Scholastic honor societies
Notable national and international honor societies based in or at schools include the following:
General collegiate scholastic honor societies
These societies are open to all academic disciplines, though they may have other affinity requirements.
Alpha Chi , ΑΧ Emerald green and Sapphire blue Alpha Kappa Mu , ΑΚΜ Alpha Lambda Delta , ΑΛΔ freshman scholarship)Alpha Sigma Lambda , ΑΣΛ non-traditional students ), colors: Burgundy and GoldAlpha Sigma Nu , ΑΣΝ Jesuit institutions of higher education), colors: Maroon and GoldChi Alpha Sigma , ΧΑΣ Delta Alpha Pi , ΔΑΠ Delta Epsilon Sigma , ΔΕΣ Catholic colleges and universities)Delta Epsilon Tau, ΔΕΤ [1]
Epsilon Tau Pi , ΕΤΠ Eagle Scouts )Golden Key International Honour Society (academics)Mortar Board (Scholars chosen for Leadership united to Serve)National Society of Collegiate Scholars , NSCS Purple and GoldPhi Eta Sigma , ΦΗΣ Phi Kappa Phi , ΦΚΦ Phi Sigma Pi , ΦΣΠ Purple and GoldPhi Tau Phi , ΦΤΦ Tau Sigma , ΤΣ transfer students )Lambda Sigma , ΛΣ Order of Omega (fraternities and sororities )Sigma Alpha Lambda , ΣΑΛ
Leadership
These societies recognize leadership, with a scholarship component; multi-disciplinary.
Military
These are collegiate-based honor societies for students in the armed forces. Other non-collegiate honor societies serve military branches and are often listed as professional fraternities.
Liberal arts
These societies are open to the traditional liberal arts disciplines and may be department-specific. Some are grouped by discipline subheading.
Alpha Iota Sigma, ΑΙΣ
Alpha Kappa Delta , ΑΚΔ sociology ), color: TealAlpha Upsilon Alpha , ΑΥΑ language arts )Chi Sigma Iota , ΧΣΙ counseling )Delta Epsilon Chi , ΔΕΧ [3] Eta Sigma Phi , ΗΣΦ classics )Kappa Omicron Nu , ΚΟΝ human sciences ), colors: Burgundy and CreamLambda Alpha , ΛΑ anthropology )Lambda Iota Tau , ΛΙΤ literature )Phi Alpha , ΦΑ social work )Phi Alpha Theta , ΦΑΘ history )Phi Beta Kappa , ΦΒΚ undergraduate arts and sciences), colors: Pink and Sky bluePhi Sigma Tau , ΦΣΤ philosophy )Phi Upsilon Omicron , ΦΥΟ Family and consumer science ), colors: Violet, Gold and CreamPi Alpha Alpha , ΠΑΑ public administration )Pi Gamma Mu , ΠΓΜ social sciences )Pi Sigma Alpha , ΠΣΑ political science )Psi Chi , ΨΧ psychology ), colors: Navy blue and PlatinumSigma Iota Rho , ΣΙΡ international relations )Sigma Tau Delta , ΣΤΔ English )Theta Alpha Kappa , ΘΑΚ Theta Chi Beta , ΘΧΒ religious studies )
Business
Alpha Iota Delta , ΑΙΔ decision sciences )Alpha Mu Alpha , ΑΜΑ marketing ),[4] RedBeta Alpha Psi , ΒΑΨ accounting and finance )Beta Gamma Sigma , ΒΓΣ AACSB accredited business programs), colors: Gold and Yale Blue Delta Mu Delta , ΔΜΔ ACBSP accredited business programs)Eta Sigma Delta , ΗΣΔ [5] Mu Kappa Tau , ΜΚΤ marketing )Nu Lambda Mu, ΝΛΜ nonprofit management )[6]
Omega Rho , ΩΡ operations research , management science )Omicron Delta Epsilon , ΟΔΕ economics ), colors: Blue and GoldSigma Beta Delta , ΣΒΔ business , management and administration )Sigma Nu Tau, ΣΝΤ [7]
Education
Fine arts
Alpha Psi Omega , ΑΨΩ theatre )Chi Tau Epsilon, ΧΤΕ dance )[9] [10]
Delta Phi Delta , ΔΦΔ art )Kappa Pi , ΚΠ art )Kappa Kappa Psi , ΚΚΨ Mu Beta Psi , ΜΒΨ Pi Kappa Lambda , ΠΚΛ music )Pi Nu Epsilon , ΠΝΕ music )Tau Beta Sigma , ΤΒΣ music - band)Theta Alpha Phi , ΘΑΦ theatre )
Journalism and communications
Languages
Alpha Mu Gamma , ΑΜΓ foreign languages ), color: GoldDelta Phi Alpha , ΔΦΑ German ), colors: Black, Red and GoldPi Delta Phi , ΠΔΦ French ), colors: Blue, White and RedSigma Delta Pi , ΣΔΠ Spanish and Portuguese ), colors: Red and GoldPhi Sigma Iota , ΦΣΙ Classics , linguistics , philology , comparative literature , bilingual education , second language acquisition ), colors: Purple and White
Law
Sciences
These societies are open to students in the STEM disciplines, and may be department-specific. Some are grouped by discipline subheader.
Beta Beta Beta , ΒΒΒ biology ), colors: Blood red and Leaf greenBeta Kappa Chi , ΒΚΧ natural sciences /mathematics )Chi Beta Phi , ΧΒΦ science and mathematics )Chi Epsilon Pi , ΧΕΠ meteorology )Gamma Theta Upsilon , ΓΘΥ geography )Gamma Sigma Epsilon , ΓΣΕ chemistry )Iota Sigma Pi , ΙΣΠ chemistry and related fields, women's)Phi Lambda Upsilon , ΦΛΥ chemistry )Phi Sigma , ΦΣ biological sciences )Phi Tau Sigma , ΦΤΣ Pi Epsilon , ΠΕ environmental sciences )Sigma Gamma Epsilon , ΣΓΕ geology /Earth sciences ), colors: Gold, Blue, and SilverSigma Lambda Chi , ΣΛΧ construction management technology)Sigma Pi Sigma , ΣΠΣ physics , astronomy ), colors: Forest Green and IvorySigma Xi , ΣΞ Research in Science and Engineering ), colors: Blue and GoldSigma Zeta , ΣΖ natural sciences /mathematics /computer science )
Agriculture
Architecture
Engineering
Within the larger group of STEM disciplines, these societies serve engineering disciplines.
Alpha Epsilon , ΑΕ agricultural /food /biological engineering )Alpha Eta Mu Beta , ΑΗΜΒ biomedical engineering )Alpha Nu Sigma , ΑΝΣ nuclear engineering )[13] Alpha Pi Mu , ΑΠΜ industrial engineering )Alpha Sigma Mu , ΑΣΜ metallurgy /materials engineering )Chi Epsilon , ΧΕ civil engineering ), colors: Purple and WhiteEta Kappa Nu , ΗΚΝ electrical engineering , computer engineering ), colors: Navy blue and ScarletOmega Chi Epsilon , ΩΧΕ chemical engineering ), colors: Maroon and WhitePhi Alpha Epsilon , ΦΑΕ architectural engineering )Pi Epsilon Tau, ΠΕΤ petroleum engineering and related fields)[14] Gold and Black
Pi Tau Sigma , ΠΤΣ mechanical engineering ), colors: Teal and MaroonRho Beta Epsilon, ΡΒΕ robotics ), colors: Crimson, Gold, and Black[15]
Sigma Gamma Tau , ΣΓΤ aerospace engineering )Tau Alpha Pi , ΤΑΠ engineering technology )Tau Beta Pi , ΤΒΠ Brown and WhiteUpsilon Pi Epsilon , ΥΠΕ computer science /computer engineering )
Health sciences
This section includes all healthcare-related fields, including veterinary science.
Alpha Epsilon Delta , ΑΕΔ pre-medical ), colors: Red and VioletAlpha Eta, ΑΗ allied health professions )[16]
Alpha Omega Alpha , ΑΩΑ medical students and physicians ), Forest Green, Gold and WhiteBeta Sigma Kappa, ΒΣΚ Optometry )[17]
Delta Omega , ΔΩ public health )Iota Tau Alpha, ΙΤΑ Athletic Training )[18]
Nu Rho Psi , ΝΡΨ Neuroscience )Omicron Kappa Upsilon , ΟΚΥ Dentistry )Phi Zeta , ΦΖ veterinary medicine )Pi Delta, ΠΔ podiatry )[19]
Pi Theta Epsilon , ΠΘΕ occupational therapy )Rho Chi , ΡΧ pharmacy ), colors: Purple and WhiteSigma Theta Tau , ΣΘΤ nursing ), colors: Orchid and WhiteSigma Phi Alpha , ΣΦΑ dental hygiene )[20] Sigma Phi Omega, ΣΦΩ Gerontology )[21]
Sigma Sigma Phi , ΣΣΦ osteopathic medicine ) or (medicine )Tau Upsilon Alpha, ΤΥΑ human services )[22]
Upsilon Phi Delta , ΥΦΔ health administration )
Information technology
Mathematics
Local honor societies
Some universities have their own independent, open honor societies, which are not affiliated with any national or international organization. Such organizations typically recognize students who have succeeded academically irrespective of their field of study. These include:
Certificate, vocational, technical, and workforce education
Two-year colleges and community colleges
Alpha Beta Gamma , ΑΒΓ business at two-year colleges )Alpha Gamma Sigma , ΑΓΣ California community colleges )Delta Psi Omega , ΔΨΩ theatre )Epsilon Phi Delta , ΕΦΔ German at two-year colleges )Kappa Beta Delta , ΚΒΔ business at Community Colleges )Mu Alpha Theta , ΜΑΘ mathematics , high school and two-year colleges)Phi Rho Pi , ΦΡΠ forensics at two-year colleges )Phi Theta Kappa , ΦΘΚ community and junior colleges )Psi Beta , ΨΒ psychology at two-year colleges )Sigma Kappa Delta , ΣΚΔ English at community and junior colleges )Sigma Zeta , ΣΖ natural sciences /mathematics /computer science - Associate membership available for community and junior colleges )La Sociedad Honoraria de la Lengua Española (Spanish at two-year colleges )
Secondary school societies
Commonly referred to as high school societies.
General
Subject-specific
