To be eligible for membership

• you must be enrolled in a regionally accredited institution offering an associate degree program;
• you must have completed at least 12 hours of coursework that may be applied to an associate degree (part-time students may be eligible);
• you must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5;
• you must receive an invitation to membership from the chapter at the college where presently enrolled;
• you must adhere to the moral standards of the society.

Typically, both part-time and full-time students who have met all of the academic requirements are invited to become members. Part-time students may be eligible for membership if they have accumulated the total number of hours over two or more academic terms used by your institution to designate full-time status (usually 12 hours on a semester system). The decision to declare part-time students eligible is an option of the local chapter and should be addressed in each chapter’s bylaws. Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters strongly encourages the eligibility of part-time students, and currently 92 percent of all chapters allow part-time students to be inducted. International students are also welcome to become members. They must achieve the required GPA, have accumulated the number of hours required by the college to designate full-time status and possess all rights of citizenship in their native land.

 

Mission and History of Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa’s mission is two-fold: 1) to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and (2) provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming.

 

The organization traces its beginnings to a society that originated in 1910 with six charter members under the name of Kappa Phi Omicron at Stephens College in Columbia, MO. The society grew and by spring 1918 it was one of many honorary groups in Missouri. The name Phi Theta Kappa was selected after it was decided to organize a new honorary society, chapters of which would have a common character, stand and similarity of organization. For the first six years, Phi Theta Kappa confined its activity to women’s junior colleges, but in 1924 through constitutional amendment, the field of activity was enlarged to cover all junior colleges. In 1926, Phi Theta Kappa expanded beyond the borders of Missouri and into coeducational institutions. The American Association of Community Colleges recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges in 1929.

 

Membership Benefits

Members may connect to find cutting-edge services, programs and resources selected especially to meet their needs. The benefits, available to members free of charge, include:

Civil Service Jobs Benefit

Members applying for GS5 federal jobs and who completed a baccalaureate degree with superior academic achievement, as defined by the Federal Office of Personnel Management, would be upgraded to a GS7 classification, meaning an increase in starting salary over the GS5 grade. GS5 federal jobs are entry-level jobs requiring completion of a baccalaureate degree or four years of study beyond high school.

 

*The Certificate of Membership and Membership Identification Card are included in your Benefit Packet mailed to you. If you did not receive a certificate or identification card, e-mail member.services@ptk.org. If you have more questions about membership benefits, contact Membership Services at member.services@ptk.org or 601-984-3504 ext. 3554.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much time will being a member take?

  The time a member devotes to Phi Theta Kappa is a matter of individual choice. Some Phi Theta Kappa members choose to devote many hours to chapter activities; others may elect to not participate at all. Phi Theta Kappa’s constitution requires only that a prospective inductee make and maintain certain GPAs. No service activities may be required of new or old members; nor can the chapter withhold any benefits (i.e., wearing honors stole, receiving scholarship recommendations, etc.).

• What about fees?

  The Phi Theta Kappa one-time membership fee is $85.

• What if I move after being inducted into Phi Theta Kappa? How do I update my address with headquarters?

  Members and other Society constituents can easily update their address information through the Phi Theta Kappa website.

   

  In addition, to ensure members have submitted graduate/transfer date, major and other important information to headquarters, take a look at the enrollment form on the Phi Theta Kappa site. Completing and updating the enrollment form will help ensure that you will be considered for scholarships and that you will have access to exclusive membership benefits.

• I’d like to stay involved as an alumni after I graduate. How do I find out more about alumni resources?

  Visit Phi Theta Kappa’s Alumni Resources, which includes an Alumni Association directory and a listing of alumni groups.

  For more information, log into the OSU Online Classroom, click self registration and then OSU_PTK_Community.