Department of Government

Theta Omega Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond Ky. 1979

PURPOSE: To stimulate productive scholarship and intelligent interest in the subject of government among students at institutions of higher learning in which chapters are maintained.

ELIGIBILITY: Juniors, seniors, and graduate students are eligible for membership if they meet the following qualifications. For undergraduates: completion of 15 quarter hours or 10 semester hours of work in government, political science, international relations, or public administration, including at least 1 course not open to students in the first 2 years of collegiate work; maintenance of an average of B or higher in all government, political science, international relations, and public administration courses, and the maintenance of general scholarship sufficient to place them within the upper third of their class. For graduate students: completion of at least 9 credit hours of work in those fields with an average grade of B or higher; and fulfillment of such additional academic requirements as may have been prescribed by the local chapter. Any member of the faculty of the department of political science or government at any institution at which a local chapter is located may be elected as a member by any local chapter or by the national convention. Membership in the Society may be secured through election as an honorary member. Only distinguished persons who have made valuable contributions to political science or government are eligible for election into honorary membership. Each chapter may elect no more than 2 persons in a year for this class of membership.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES: Interchange of ideas and information regarding political science and chapter activities through circulation of a semi-annual Newsletter; Biennial national convention to transact Society business and consider matters within the field of the Society’s activities; Intellectual activity through sponsorship of speakers, forums, conferences, chapter awards and grants, graduate scholarships, best student papers, best chapter adviser, and best chapters.

Pi Sigma Alpha is classified by the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) as an "upper division, specialized" honor society. The academic requirements for membership eligibility follow those set by ACHS for this category of honor society, and are specified in the Pi Sigma Alpha Constitution, Article I, "Membership."

Membership in Pi Sigma Alpha is open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students currently enrolled in programs of political science in institutions where chapters are located.

Undergraduates must meet the following criteria: They must be at least juniors who have completed at least ten semester-credits (or 15 quarter-credits if their institution is on the quarter system) of work in political science including at least one upper-division course, with an average grade of B or higher in those courses. They must have achieved an overall GPA placing them in the top one-third of their whole class (i.e., junior or senior class). They need NOT be political science majors to qualify for membership.

Graduate students must have completed 9 graduate credits in political science with no grade lower than a B. Undergraduate coursework does not count towards graduate student eligibility, and graduate students must be pursuing a degree in political science to qualify for membership.

Additional Chapter Criteria

Individual chapters may, in their bylaws, add to these criteria. Chapters may NEVER reduce the basic national criteria. Additional chapter criteria must be based strictly on academic achievement, and they must be measurable. A chapter may increase the GPA requirement for admission, for example, but it not require that eligible students be voted into membership by other members, or impose any non-academic requirement such as community service. Chapters are also discouraged from imposing any requirement that involves subjective evaluation, such as a paper competition, which will almost inevitably result in disputes. They may not include extracurricular requirements or any sort of "pledging" process.

Members should follow the guidance of the Chapter Advisor when writing the section of their bylaws which lists admission requirements, and should feel free to consult with the National Office whenever there is a question. All questions about membership eligibility may be addressed to the national office of Pi Sigma Alpha.

Faculty Membership

Members of the faculty of the department, school, or division in which the chapter is located are automatically eligible for membership.

Membership Transferability

Membership in one chapter is transferable to membership in another chapter when the member (student or faculty) moves to another institution where there is a chapter.

Honorary Membership

Chapters are entitled to award two honorary memberships per year to "any person of recognized ability and achievement in the field of political science." (For more details, see the Article 1, Section 4 of the Pi Sigma Alpha Constitution.)

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PI SIGMA ALPHA Theta Omega Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond Ky. 1979 Chapter Secretary Dr.Gregory Gundeson PURPOSE: To stimulate productive scholarship and intelligent interest in the subject of government among students at institutions of higher learning in which chapters are maintained. ELIGIBILITY: Juniors, seniors, and graduate students are eligible for membership if they meet the following qualifications. For undergraduates: completion of 15 quarter hours or 10 semester hours of work in government, political science, international relations, or public administration, including at least 1 course not open to students in the first 2 years of collegiate work; maintenance of an average of B or higher in all government, political science, international relations, and public administration courses, and the maintenance of general scholarship sufficient to place them within the upper third of their class. For graduate students: completion of at least 9 credit hours of work in those fields with an average grade of B or higher; and fulfillment of such additional academic requirements as may have been prescribed by the local chapter. Any member of the faculty of the department of political science or government at any institution at which a local chapter is located may be elected as a member by any local chapter or by the national convention. Membership in the Society may be secured through election as an honorary member. Only distinguished persons who have made valuable contributions to political science or government are eligible for election into honorary membership. Each chapter may elect no more than 2 persons in a year for this class of membership. MAJOR ACTIVITIES: Interchange of ideas and information regarding political science and chapter activities through circulation of a semi-annual Newsletter; Biennial national convention to transact Society business and consider matters within the field of the Society’s activities; Intellectual activity through sponsorship of speakers, forums, conferences, chapter awards and grants, graduate scholarships, best student papers, best chapter adviser, and best chapters. Pi Sigma Alpha is classified by the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) as an "upper division, specialized" honor society. The academic requirements for membership eligibility follow those set by ACHS for this category of honor society, and are specified in the Pi Sigma Alpha Constitution, Article I, "Membership." Membership in Pi Sigma Alpha is open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students currently enrolled in programs of political science in institutions where chapters are located. Undergraduates must meet the following criteria: They must be at least juniors who have completed at least ten semester-credits (or 15 quarter-credits if their institution is on the quarter system) of work in political science including at least one upper-division course, with an average grade of B or higher in those courses. They must have achieved an overall GPA placing them in the top one-third of their whole class (i.e., junior or senior class). They need NOT be political science majors to qualify for membership. Graduate students must have completed 9 graduate credits in political science with no grade lower than a B. Undergraduate coursework does not count towards graduate student eligibility, and graduate students must be pursuing a degree in political science to qualify for membership. Additional Chapter Criteria Individual chapters may, in their bylaws, add to these criteria. Chapters may NEVER reduce the basic national criteria. Additional chapter criteria must be based strictly on academic achievement, and they must be measurable. A chapter may increase the GPA requirement for admission, for example, but it not require that eligible students be voted into membership by other members, or impose any non-academic requirement such as community service. Chapters are also discouraged from imposing any requirement that involves subjective evaluation, such as a paper competition, which will almost inevitably result in disputes. They may not include extracurricular requirements or any sort of "pledging" process. Members should follow the guidance of the Chapter Advisor when writing the section of their bylaws which lists admission requirements, and should feel free to consult with the National Office whenever there is a question. All questions about membership eligibility may be addressed to the national office of Pi Sigma Alpha. Faculty Membership Members of the faculty of the department, school, or division in which the chapter is located are automatically eligible for membership. Membership Transferability Membership in one chapter is transferable to membership in another chapter when the member (student or faculty) moves to another institution where there is a chapter. Honorary Membership Chapters are entitled to award two honorary memberships per year to "any person of recognized ability and achievement in the field of political science." (For more details, see the Article 1, Section 4 of the Pi Sigma Alpha Constitution.) Chapter Activity Grants Scholarships for Graduate Study Washington Internship Scholarships Best Papers and Honors Theses Best Chapter and Best Advisor Awards APSA Student Membership Awards Distinguished Speaker Series			Internship Opportunities Student Organizations Academic Programs EKU Mock Trial Faculty and Staff The Institute of Government Override Request Home