What is Pi Sigma Alpha?
What is Pi Sigma Alpha?
Founded
in 1920 at the University of Texas, Pi Sigma Alpha is the national honor society
for undergraduate and graduate students of political science. There are now over
500 chapters established in colleges and universities in the United States.
Membership
in an honor society is a worthy distinction in itself, and as a measure of
academic achievement can provide a tangible advantage in a competitive world.
All Pi Sigma Alpha members,
regular and honorary, receive a certificate of membership and permanent
enrollment in the society's membership rolls, maintained by the National Office.
Upon request, the National Office will provide letters verifying membership to
prospective employers or graduate schools. Because IIU is a member of the
Association of College Honor Societies, the United States Office of Personnel
Management allows its members to apply for federal government positions listed
at a higher entry level grade than non-member candidates. Members are entitled
to wear the Pi
Sigma Alpha key
at any time or the medallion with cap and gown at graduation and on other
official occasions.
Pi Sigma Alpha gives students the opportunity for valuable administrative experience as chapter officers or organizers of chapter activities. Chapters can compete for the Chapter Activities Grants awarded each year by the National Office. Members are also eligible to compete for the Pi Sigma Alpha Graduate Scholarship, the Graduate and Undergraduate Best Paper Awards, and a one-year student membership in the American Political Science Association, funded by the National Office for one student selected by each chapter each year.
The
life of the honor society is carried on mainly at the chapter level with
coordination by the National Office. The National Office also administers the
following programs: