Undergraduates must be junior standing or above and have completed at least ten semester-credits of work in political science.  One of these courses must be upper-division, and they must maintain an average grade of a B or higher in all political science courses. They must have achieved an overall GPA of 3.23 for juniors and 3.273 for seniors.  Students do NOT need to be political science majors to qualify for membership.

 

Graduate students must have completed nine graduate credits in political science with no grade lower than a B. Undergraduate coursework does not count toward graduate student eligibility, and graduate students must be pursuing a degree in political science to qualify for membership.

 

Faculty Membership: Members of the faculty of the Political Science Department, including emeriti members, are automatically eligible for membership.

 

Honorary Membership: Chapters are entitled to award two honorary memberships per year to any person of recognized ability and achievement in the field of political science.

The Delta Kappa (Oklahoma State) chapter has organized several professional development events for political science students. Materials for a few of these events are available below.

 

Fall 2022: Finding a Government Job Workshop (presentation slides from this workshop available to view here)

 

Spring 2021: Planning for Graduate School Workshop (view the Zoom recording)

The Delta Kappa chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha was chartered in 1963 by Professor Clifford A.L. Rich, who served as faculty advisor for at least a dozen years. He had been inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha as an undergraduate at the University of Southern California in 1946. The current chapter advisor, Dr. Holley Hansen, was also inducted into the national organization and served as the Truman State chapter Treasurer when she was an undergraduate.

 

Since the OSU chapter was created, more than 800 students have been inducted. In 2022, the national office awarded the OSU Delta Kappa chapter one of the Best Chapter awards in their category (universities that enroll between 15,000 to 25,000 undergraduate students).

 

Originally chartered in 1920 at the University of Texas, Austin, Pi Sigma Alpha seeks to encourage and recognize superior achievement in the study of government and politics at the undergraduate and graduate levels.  As an organization encouraging political education and dialogues from diverse political perspectives, Pi Sigma Alpha alumni often become prominent leaders in local, national, and international politics.  Its alumni list includes one U.S. president, three Supreme Court Justices, dozens of members of Congress, and several U.S. ambassadors.

 

At present, there are over 850 Pi Sigma Alpha chapters on campuses across the country. Pi Sigma Alpha is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies.  Pi Sigma Alpha has inducted over 300,000 members, and its alumni network includes scholars, politicians, diplomats, lawyers, and justices.

To become a member of the OSU chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, complete the online application form to submit your transcript for consideration in this organization. We review applications on November 1 and March 1 of each academic year.

 

If you are approved as a member of our local chapter, you will receive an email from the national organization that will invite you to join our organization via the MyHonorSociety website. Once you create an account, you will be able to pay your membership dues through their online billing system.

 

The standard membership fee in Pi Sigma Alpha is $45, which covers the cost of a life-time membership in Pi Sigma Alpha and in our local chapter. Student members may purchase graduation regalia - including a cord, stole, and/or a medallion - and other gear via the Pi Sigma Alpha member benefits webpage.