Pi Sigma Alpha

Purpose

Pi Sigma Alpha is a national political science honorary designed to recognize academic achievement among NIU undergraduate students. It was founded in 1920 and it has over 440 chapters across the country. To visit the web page for the national organization, click here. To learn about membership at NIU, read the section below.

Qualifications for Membership

Students may be inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha at graduation if they meet the following qualifications:

• overall academic standing in the upper third of graduating seniors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences,
• grade of 'B' or 'A' in all political science courses,
• 18 or more hours in political science courses, including at least 12 hours from NIU and at least one course not open to students in the first two years of collegiate work.

Recognition

The Department of Political Science will identify political science majors who meet the criteria for Pi Sigma Alpha membership.  Initiates are recognized at spring graduation held by the Department.  The student is responsible for the $35 induction fee.  You may remit this amount by cash or check payable to NIU to the undergraduate secretary in ZH 415 no later than Monday, March 4, 2013. Certificates of membership from the National Office will be presented to inductees of Pi Sigma Alpha at the department's spring commencement ceremony.  In addition, their names are enrolled on Pi Sigma Alpha's membership rolls.

Political Science minors and others who have taken the requisite number of hours in political science, meet the criteria, and desire membership should contact the political science by March 1 of their graduating year in order to be recognized at the ceremony. They are responsible for paying the entire induction fee of $35.00.

Membership in an academic honorary society is a worthy accomplishment. Upon request, the National Office will write letters to prospective employers or graduate schools verifying membership. The address of the National Office is: Pi Sigma Alpha, 1527 New Hampshire Avenue N.W., Washington D.C. 20036.