- - - Student Association of Social Workers - - - 
Honor Society

Phi Alpha Honor Society

History

The concept of a national social work honor society came from a group of undergraduate social work students at Michigan State University in 1960. Investigation revealed that local chapters existed at three schools. Those three schools along with a few other schools formed a National Honor Society Committee in November, 1960.

For more than a year this committee worked on the constitution and other administrative matters. The name Phi Alpha and the key were adopted from the local chapter which existed at Florida State University. The constitution and formal organization were complete in 1962, and six chapters qualified to become "charter chapters." They were: Florida State University, Michigan State University, Ohio Northern University, Central State College, University of Dayton and the University of Tennessee. Over 155 chapters are now in existence, and the addition of new chapters is continuing.

Phi Alpha offers membership to social work students, faculty and practitioners, and each chapter is free to develop a program to meet local needs. The National Council is the policy-making body and meets each year at the time and place of the Annual program meeting of CSWE. Each chapter has one voting representative on the Council.

The national office is located at East Tennessee State University. You may contact them at:

East Tennessee State University Post Office Box 70645 Johnson City, TN 37614-0645 Phone: (423) 439-4372 Fax: (423) 439-4471 boydj@etsu.edu

Fax: (423) 439-4471

Membership

An undergraduate student is eligible for membership after achieving the following requirements:

1. Declared social work as a major.
2. Achieved sophomore status.
3. Completed at least eight (8) semester hours in required social work coursework.
4. Achieved a minimum overall grade point average of 3.25.
5. Achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.5 in required social work courses.

Membership is available to all full-time social work faculty.

Each chapter may select two persons each year for honorary membership. This recognition is available to persons outside the program who have made a significant contribution to the program and/or society. Membership certificates for honorary members are provided by the National Office without cost to local chapters.

Membership dues include a charter fee of $20 for each new chapter.

A lifetime membership fee of $10 for each individual member. Membership dues are subject to change.

Services Provided by the National Office

	Annual meeting in conjunction with the CSWE-APM
	A chapter membership certificate
	Phi Alpha banner for each chapter
	Individual membership certificates
	A Phi Alpha ribbon and button for each member
	Brochures
	Information about ordering items with the Phi Alpha logo, pins, pendants, medallions, plaques, shirts, and caps are available from outside vendors
	Consultation

Graduation Awards

Medallions, plaques, pins, and paperweights are available for members to purchase for graduation.

Medallion	Necklace
Paperweight	Pin

©Metropolitan State College of Denver
Information Technology