Baccalaureate Information

Honor Societies

Phi Beta Kappa – Founded at the College of William and Mary in 1776, it is the oldest and most prestigious honor society for students of the liberal arts and sciences. A chapter was established at California State University, Long Beach in 1977.

Graduating seniors are elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa on the basis of extraordinary scholarly performance at this University, after study of their records by faculty members who are themselves members of Phi Beta Kappa. No action on the part of the student is necessary to initiate consideration. Inquiries should be directed to the President of the University chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, Dr. Harold Schefski, Department of Romance, German, and Russian Languages and Literatures.

Two additional societies which may elect students from all academic areas are:

Mortar Board – Founded in 1918 as an honor society focusing on scholarship, leadership, and service. Mortar Board was the first national honor society founded by and for college senior women, and the membership expanded to include men in 1975. The California State University, Long Beach Cap and Gown Chapter was founded in 1972, and grew out of an honor club established here by seven women in 1963. The Cap and Gown Chapter is one of over 200 Mortar Board Chapters, with a total national membership of over 250,000 dedicated, active scholars. Mortar Board's focus is on collaboration and balancing positive ideology with practical leadership building experiences. Mortar Board holds that both community service and dedication to academic excellence must remain constant in order to provide a full college career. Membership is extended to service-oriented CSULB seniors who maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Phi Kappa Phi – Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, it is the oldest and largest national honor society which recognizes and encourages superior scholarship in all academic disciplines. Chapter 86 was established at California State University, Long Beach, in 1963.

Admission to Phi Kappa Phi is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by the chapter and national society. Membership for juniors, seniors, and graduate students is based on integrity of character, one year residence in the University, and outstanding scholarship. Inquiries should be directed to the President of the University chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, Dr. C. J. Walter, c/o College of Business Administration.

Other societies may limit membership to particular academic areas. Among these organizations at California State University, Long Beach are the following:

• Beta Alpha Psi (Accounting) — National scholastic fraternity to give recognition to excellence in the field of accounting.
• Beta Gamma Sigma (Business Administration) — National honorary business society to recognize superior academic performance.
• Chi Epsilon (Civil Engineering) — National honor society open to Civil Engineering majors with a 2.9 GPA.
• Chi Sigma Iota (Counseling) — International honor society open to graduate students with a GPA of 3.5, scholars, and practitioners in the counseling profession.
• Eta Kappa Nu (Electrical Engineering) — National honor society furthering area interests and promoting scholarship. GPA requirement for seniors is 2.8, for juniors 3.0.
• Kappa Delta Pi (National honor society for teachers) — encourages high professional, intellectual, and personal standards. Recognizes outstanding contributions to education.
• Kappa Tau Alpha — National honor society that recognizes academic excellence and promotes scholarship in journalism and mass communication.
• Omicron Nu (Family and Consumer Sciences) — National honor society recognizing superior scholarship and promoting leadership and research in the field of Family and Consumer Sciences.
• Phi Alpha (Social Work) — National honor society to improve the goals of social work on campus. GPA requirement 3.0.
• Phi Alpha Theta (History) — National honor society in history, founded to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication, and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians.
• Phi Beta Delta (International Education) — National society, founded at CSULB, recognizes students from all disciplines with high GPAs and extensive involvement in international education or international studies.
• Phi Delta Gamma (Scholarship) — National honor society which fosters academic achievement and professional preparation.
• Phi Delta Kappa (Education) — National organization which promotes service, research, and leadership in education. Members include both students and faculty.
• Phi Epsilon Kappa (Physical Education) — National society for recognition in sports and physical education. 3.0 GPA requirement and faculty recommendation.
• Phi Mu Alpha‑Sinfonia (Music) — National organization for students in music. Promotes music in America, especially contemporary American music.
• Phi Alpha Alpha (Public Administration) — National society to encourage scholarship among students of public administration.
• Phi Sigma Tau (Philosophy) — National honor society for students with a strong undergraduate concentration in philosophy.
• Pi Kappa Lambda (Music) — National honor society for scholastic achievement in music.
• Pi Lambda Theta (Education) — National organization for undergraduate and graduate students. Purpose is to maintain high standards of scholarship and preparation for teaching.
• Pi Mu Epsilon (Mathematics) — National honor society recognizing distinction in mathematics.
• Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science) — National honor society for political scientists. Open by invitation to upper‑division and graduate students with a 3.0 GPA.
• Pi Tau Sigma (Mechanical Engineering) — National honorary fraternity encouraging and recognizing outstanding scholastic achievement of students in the field.
• Psi Chi (Psychology) — National honor society recognizing distinction in Psychology. Sponsors research and other participation in psychology.
• Sigma Alpha Iota (Music) — National organization for women in music. Aims to further the development of music in America through performance, study, and participation in both campus and community projects.
• Sigma Delta Pi – Capítulo Pi Chi — One of the purposes of this society is to honor those who attain excellence in the study of the Spanish language and in the study of the literatures and cultures of the Hispanic World.
• Sigma Theta Tau (Nursing) — International honor society recognizing superior scholastic achievement, leadership, and community service in nursing.