Pi Sigma Alpha
A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (November 2023) |
reliable, independent, third-party sources. (February 2022) ) |
Pi Sigma Alpha | |
---|---|
ΠΣΑ | |
Black | |
Publication | Pi Sigma Alpha Newsletter Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics |
Chapters | Nearly 850 |
Members | 300,000 lifetime |
Headquarters | 1527 New Hampshire Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20036 USA |
Website | Official website |
Pi Sigma Alpha (ΠΣΑ or PSA), the National Political Science Honor Society, is the only
Chapters
The first chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha was founded in 1920 at the
Membership
There are three classes of membership in Pi Sigma Alpha:
- For undergraduates, completion of ten semester-credits or fifteen quarter-credits in political science, including at least one upper-division course, with an average grade of B or higher in all political science courses, and an overall GPAplacing the student in the top one-third of his or her class. Individual chapters may raise the eligibility threshold; they may not lower it.
- For graduate students, completion of nine graduate credits in political science with no grade lower than a B in those courses.
Faculty in political science departments where chapters are located are automatically eligible for membership in the honor society. Honorary membership is intended for persons of recognized ability and achievement in the field of political science. No more than two such honorary members may be elected by a local chapter in any one year.[1] Election to membership may be based solely on stated criteria and is irrespective of membership in an affiliation with any other organization or group. Chapters may not discriminate on any basis prohibited by law. Membership, once conferred, is for life.
The lifetime national membership fee is $35.00. Individual chapters sometimes collect additional money from each initiate to use for their own chapter programs. The initiation fee is the only payment members ever make to the national office of the honor society. There are no annual dues.[2]
Governance
Pi Sigma Alpha is governed by an elected Executive Council, which acts as its board of directors. The Council includes the President, the President-elect, the Treasurer, the two most recent past presidents, the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics faculty advisor, the Executive Director, and twelve other members at large. Six of these are elected every two years to serve four-year terms. Members of the Council are almost always faculty of recognized distinction in the field of political science, or of proven leadership to the honor society. Elections take place in even numbered years at the Biennial Business Meeting of the honor society.[3]
Programs
Pi Sigma Alpha has programs to benefit its student members and their chapters, and the profession of political science. Programs for chapters and members include an annual Chapter Activity Grants competition, Best Undergraduate Class Paper and Best Undergraduate Honors
Publications
Pi Sigma Alpha publishes the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics twice per year. It is hosted by the Sigma Upsilon chapter at Elon University.[6]
References
- ^ "Pi Sigma Alpha Membership Standards". www.pisigmaalpha.org. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
- ^ "FAQ". pi-sigma-alpha. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
- ^ "GOVERNANCE". Pi Sigma Alpha. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
- ^ "National Student Research Conference – Pi Sigma Alpha". pisigmaalpha.org. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
- ^ "Other Awards and Events Sponsored by Pi Sigma Alpha". Pi Sigma Alpha. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
- ^ "Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics". Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
External links
- Official website
- American Political Science Association
- Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal
- African American Political Scientists Oral History Project: Pi Sigma Alpha - American Political Science Association Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries[permanent dead link]