Honor Societies

Honor societies are organizations in which one is invited to belong through formal induction processes. The main purpose of honor societies is to recognize an individual's excellence in a particular academic field, as well as to encourage scholarship, leadership, and achievement. The oldest and perhaps best-known honor society is Phi Beta Kappa, founded at the College of William & Mary in 1776, which became a model for many future honor societies. Phi Beta Kappa chapters generally select less than 10 percent of students, and usually far fewer. Honor societies are relevant to the discussion of giftedness, creativity, and talent because they encourage the academic skill development of members. These organizations range in size and scope but typically have several core similarities. Research on membership in such societies has demonstrated positive benefits, as described in this entry.

By March 2008, 65 honor societies were members of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS), the only clearinghouse and certifying agency for collegiate honor societies in the nation. At present, there are 13,918 active honor society chapters associated with higher education or educational facilities across the United States and internationally.

ACHS sets standards for membership of various categories of honor societies. The categories are general, specialized, leadership, freshman, and 2-year honor societies. The admission standards generally are as follows: general honor scholarship society members, such as those of Delta Epsilon Sigma, must be in the top 20 percent of their class and are not eligible to join before their fifth semester of education. General leadership society members, such as those of Lambda Sigma, must be in the top 35 percent of their class and are not eligible for membership before their fifth semester. Specialized scholarship society members, such as those of Phi Sigma Tau, must also be in the top 35 percent of their class but are not eligible for membership before their fourth semester. Members of freshman honor societies, such as those of Phi Eta Sigma, must be in the top 20 percent of their class and are eligible after completing one curricular period as a full-time student. General scholarship honor societies at 2-year institutions, such as Phi Theta Kappa, require members to be in the top 20 percent of their class after completing a minimum of 12 credit hours toward an associate's degree. Specialized scholarship honor societies at 2-year institutions, such as Psi Beta for psychology, require members to be in the top 35 percent of their class, also after [Page 436]completing a minimum of 12 credit hours toward an associate's degree. These standards are fairly selective but are the bare minimum.

However, many honor societies certified by ACHS have higher standards than those mentioned. All certified societies are organized in a particular manner to serve the organization's members. This organizational style includes full financial disclosure, membership participation in approving and revising society bylaws, elections of officers or board members by society members, and the participation of members in setting authority for control of the organization's affairs. Most societies offer scholarships or grants to assist highly motivated students.

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