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Phi Theta Kappa membership guarantees you access to more benefits than any other student organization. As a member, your academic excellence will be recognized with the Golden Key Membership Pin, membership certificate and identification card, notation of membership on your diploma and transcripts and the privilege of wearing regalia at graduation that sets you apart as a Phi Theta Kappa member.

  
Membership also provides exclusive access to a compilation of innovative benefits available to you online. Highlights of the online benefits include the eScholarship Directory, listing information on scholarships designated exclusively for Phi Theta Kappa members; letters of recommendation for scholarships and employment; and press releases announcing your induction into the Society. These benefits, accessible exclusively to Phi Theta Kappa members, give you the academic, scholarship and employment tools that will help you attain your goals for the future. 





About Phi Theta Kappa


"The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa shall be to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa shall provide opportunity for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence."
Phi Theta Kappa's mission is two-fold:
(1) recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students
(2) provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming.
Phi Theta Kappa traces its beginnings to a Society that originated with six charter members under the name of Kappa Phi Omicron at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, in 1910. The Society continued to grow and in the spring of 1918 was one of many honorary groups in Missouri. At a meeting of the presidents of the Missouri junior colleges for women in 1918, it was decided to organize a new honorary society, chapters of which would have a common character, stand, and similarity of organization. The name Phi Theta Kappa was chosen, and the Society was incorporated in Missouri as a national organization. Founders modeled many aspects of the new Society after the prestigious senior college honorary society, Phi Beta Kappa.

The eight charter colleges of Phi Theta Kappa were Hardin, Stephens, Christian, Lindenwood, Cottey, Howard Payne, William Woods, and Central. The alpha chapter was established at Hardin College, but was later moved to Stephens College when Hardin College became a baccalaureate granting institution. Today, Cottey College, Nevada, Missouri, is the only charter college with an active Phi Theta Kappa chapter.

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.

In 1930, Margaret James (Mosal) became the first elected national president of Phi Theta Kappa while attending Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi. She became national secretary in 1935 and moved the records of the organization to her hometown of Canton. Mosal served as Phi Theta Kappa's chief executive for fifty years, retiring as executive director in 1985.

In the early years, Phi Theta Kappa membership was conferred to students at time of graduation and few programs and services were offered. The explosive growth of community colleges in the 1960s led Phi Theta Kappa to expand its mission to reflect the nurturing philosophy of the institutions it served.


Eligibility for Membership

To be eligible for membership:
  • you must be enrolled in a regionally accredited institution offering an associate degree program (LACC)
  • 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 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
For additional membership requirements please review the Society’s Constitution, Article IV, Sections 1-4, and Bylaws Chapter 1.
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 (12 credits).

International students are 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.


Phi Theta Kappa Membership Benefits

Members of Phi Theta Kappa may apply for more than $36 million in transfer scholarships, provided exclusively to Society members by more than 600 senior institutions.

FREE enrollment in The Transfer Database, used by hundreds of senior colleges and universities to recruit Phi Theta Kappa transfer students.
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:
  • Special offers from Phi Theta Kappa Partners. Visit the Partners page.
  • Press release announcing your membership, sent electronically to a newspaper of your choice.
  • Letter of recommendation sent to a college admissions counselor or scholarship official.
  • Letter of recommendation sent to a potential employer.
All members of Phi Theta Kappa receive the prestigious Golden Key Membership Pin.
All members of Phi Theta Kappa receive the impressive Certificate of Membership.
All members of Phi Theta Kappa receive a wallet-size Identification Card.
Members of Phi Theta Kappa may affix the Society’s Gold Diploma Seal, denoting Society membership, to their two-year college diploma.
Members of Phi Theta Kappa may have their membership in the international honor society noted on their transcript, contingent on their college’s policy.

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. 


Members of Phi Theta Kappa may wear the Society’s golden monogrammed Honors Stole and Tassel, at college commencement exercises, available through purchase, contingent on college policy.
The Certificate of Membership and Membership Identification Card are included in your Benefit Packet mailed to your home address. If you did not receive your Membership Certificate and Identification Card, please email member.services@ptk.org.

If you have further questions about your Membership Benefits, contact Membership Services, 601.984.3504, ext. 3554.



Online Member Forms

  • Phi Theta Kappa Online Enrollment Form (Note: this is used after you have been inducted into Phi Theta Kappa) - Ensure that you have submitted your graduate/transfer date, major and other important information to us. 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.
  • Change of Address Form - Members and other Society constituents can easily update their addresses with Headquarters by using this online form.
  • Letter of Recommendation Request Form - Need a Letter of Recommendation for Admissions Officials or a potential employer? Use this form to request a Letter of Recommendation.
  • Newspaper Press Release Request Form - Get recognized for your induction into Phi Theta Kappa! Simply fill out this form, and once it is processed, the appropriate information will be e-mailed to the newspaper of your choice!

Phi Theta Kappa Member Awards

Phi Theta Kappa members have many opportunities to shine through a variety of award and scholarship programs.

Members of Phi Theta Kappa are eligible for nomination by their college for the All-USA Academic Team competition. In addition, 32 states sponsor All-State Academic Team programs, providing further recognition for outstanding students.

Members of Phi Theta Kappa may take advantage of several internally funded scholarship programs including the Leaders of Promise (for completion of associate degree) and the Guistwhite Scholar Program (for completion of baccalaureate degree).

Members of Phi Theta Kappa may submit manuscripts to Nota Bene, the Society’s honors anthology and the only internationally circulated community college literary anthology. The best overall entry receives a $1,000 scholarship; four runners-up each receive $500 scholarships.

Frequently Asked Questions about Membership

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 (3.5 GPA to enter and 3.25 GPA to maintain active membership). 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).

What about fees?
As of September 30, 2012, the Phi Theta Kappa International Membership fee is $55. It is paid only once. Members are also required to pay a one-time regional fee of $5 and a $25 Chapter Fee ($85 total).

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 with Headquarters by using the On-Line Change of Address Form.
Also, visit the Phi Theta Kappa Enrollment Form to ensure that you have submitted your graduate/transfer date, major and other important information to Phi Theta Kappa. 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 the online Alumni resources, which includes an Alumni Association Directory, a listing of Alumni groups.

 

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