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Honor Societies

Honor Societies
Psi Chi

Psi Chi Seal

What is Psi Chi?

Psi Chi is the National Honor Society in Psychology, founded in 1929 for the purpose of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship and advancing the science of psychology. Membership is open to undergraduate and graduate men and women who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests and who meet the minimum qualifications.

Psi Chi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) and is an Affiliate of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Psychological Society (APS).

How do I become a member?

Students interested in joing Psi Chi can obtain an application from the Psychology Department office administrator. Completed applications are screened by the Psi Chi officers and faculty sponsors. Students who meet the minimum qualifications will then be inducted into the UC chapter in a formal ceremony.


What are the minimum qualifications?

In order to qualify for Psi Chi membership, students must:

  1. Have completed 9 hours of psychology courses, or have completed 6 hours and have registered for 3 semester hours in addition.
  2. Have registered as a major or minor in psychology or for a program psychological in nature which is equivalent to such standings.
  3. For undergraduates; rank in the upper 35 percent of their class in general scholarship and must demonstrate superior scholarship in psychology, earning an average grade of "B" or better in psychology grades (i.e. 3.0 gpa).
  4. Graduate students must maintain an average grade of "B" (3.0 gpa) in all graduate courses, including psychology.
  5. Have demonstrated high standards of personal behavior.
  6. Receive two-thirds affirmative vote of those present at a regular meeting of the chapter.
     

What are the benefits of membership?

  • The intrinsic value of membership is rewarding to the achiever in that recognition of excellence leads to self-fulfillment and thus to self-realization.
  • Concrete advantages of membership include:
    • A membership certificate and card which give tangible evidence of membership.
    • A gold braided cord which is worn at graduation as a mark of both scholarship and membership in the society.
    • The recognition of achievement and scholarship on references (i.e. resume`s and letters of reference).
    • Opportunities for professional growth:
      • to promote their own research
      • receive national and international recognition
      • meeting and interacting with leaders in their field
      • meeting with Psi Chi members who also will be future leaders

The US government also recognizes membership in PSI Chi as meeting one of the requirements for entrance at the GS-7 level in the Federal service.

For more information:

If you are interested in PSI Chi membership and have additional questions or would just like to chat with a real person about the organization, please contact: 

Dr. Jane Whitaker or Dr. Haley Turner