Honors Societies
Honor societies have a long tradition in higher education. They exist to recognize and promote excellence in academic accomplishment. Participating in honor societies can develop your leadership and professional skills, and honor societies can be a valuable way to network with students, faculty, and professionals in your field of interest.
University-Wide Honor Societies
Chi Alpha Epsilon
Chi Alpha Epsilon is the official honor society of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), C-STEP, and Project Excel.
Golden Key International Honor Society
Campus contact: Dan Smith, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Membership is offered to first and second year college students with outstanding academic achievement. NSCS offers students access to scholarships, community service, career resources and leadership opportunities. NSCS also provides students with a network of other members and alumni on their campus and across the country. NSCS invites students who have achieved a cumulative 3.4 GPA and are ranked in the top 20% of their first or second year class on their campus to join as lifetime members.
Campus contact: Sue Faerman, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
Omicron Delta Kappa
Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, organizes students, staff, and faculty who, while excelling in their academic and professional work, have contributed in special ways to the University at Albany. The society recognizes leaders in the areas of scholarship, athletics, college and community service, social and religious activities, campus government, journalism, speech and the mass media, and the creative and performing arts.
Phi Beta Kappa
Eligibility for Phi Beta Kappa requires students to have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.85 by junior year and 3.75 by senior year, with a balanced distribution of courses including math, science, foreign language and a representation in each of the Humanities and Arts, Social Science, and Math and Science. Every student is automatically considered. Individual nomination is not necessary.
Campus contact: PBK@csc.albany.edu
Presidential Honors Society
The Presidential Honors Society is unique to the University at Albany. The PHS has a strong service focus and seeks to "create a true honor society through service to the campus and community that brings prestige to the University, the individual, the organization and its members."
Multi-Discipline Honor Societies
Charles Drew Science Club
Charles Drew Science Club fosters students of color interested in medicine and the allied health sciences, and provides a mechanism for minority students and faculty to exchange ideas and interests.
Sigma Xi
Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, is a national and international honor society for those with research achievement. Undergraduates who have completed a scientific research project or publication of note are eligible.
Field Specific honor societies
Accounting
Beta Alpha Psi
Business Administration
Beta Gamma Sigma
Campus contact: School of Business
Communication
Lambda Pi Eta
Computer Science
Upsilon Pi Epsilon
Campus contact: Computer Science Department
Criminal Justice Alpha Phi Sigma
Economics
Omicron Delta Epsilon
Campus contact: Economics Department
Education
Kappa Delta Pi
English
Sigma Tau Delta
French
Pi Delta Phi
Campus contact: Professor Susan Blood
History
Phi Alpha Theta
Information Science
Beta Phi Mu
Campus contact: Information Science department
Physics
Sigma Pi Sigma
Campus contact: Physics department
Political Science
Pi Sigma Alpha
Psychology
Psi Chi
Social Work
Phi Alpha
Campus contact: School of Social Welfare
Sociology
Alpha Kappa Delta
Campus contact: Professor Richard Hall
Spanish
Sigma Delta Pi
Campus contact: Professor Aida Torres-Horwitt
please call (518) 442-9067 or send email to honors@uamail.albany.edu.
