Honor Societies
Two kinds of honor societies are recognized at Hunter College: academic and professional. In general the requirements for nomination are: for academic societies, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a departmental GPA prescribed by the department concerned, although in no case less than 3.0; for professional societies, a cumulative GPA of 2.8 and a departmental GPA and professional qualifications that meet departmental requirements. All honor societies except Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi are subject to the rules and regulations established by a committee of the Hunter College Senate. Students may qualify for the following honor societies:
Alpha Kappa Delta - Sociology | Omicron Delta Epsilon - Economics |
Dobro Slovo - Slavic Language and Literature | Phi Alpha Theta - History |
Eta Beta Rho - Hebrew | Pi Mu Epsilon - Mathematics |
Eta Sigma Phi - Latin and/or Greek | Pi Sigma Alpha - Political Science |
Gamma Kappa Alpha - Italian | Psi Chi - Psychology |
Gamma Theta Upsilon - Geography | Sigma Delta Pi - Spanish |
Kappa Delta Pi - Education | Sigma Epsilon Phi - German |
Kappa Pi - Art | Sigma Pi Sigma - Physics |
Kappa Omicron Nu - Food Science | Sigma Theta Tau - Nursing |
and Human Nutrition |
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Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest undergraduate honors organization in the United States. Students do not apply for membership; they are elected on the basis of academic excellence. Eligibility is calculated on the basis of liberal arts courses under Phi Beta Kappa rules, which differ from those used in awarding other honors at Hunter College.
Sigma Xi The Scientific Research Society honors those who have made noteworthy contributions in research. Its purpose is “to encourage original investigation in science, to foster companionship and cooperation among scientists, and to maintain honor, integrity and honesty in all scientific activities.” It has nearly 65,000 active members, scientists and engineers, whose goal is to improve the human condition. The Hunter College Chapter was installed in 1969.