Beta Epsilon Gamma

Phi Theta Kappa FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)

What is Phi Theta Kappa?
What is required to join Phi Theta Kappa?
Why should I become a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society for Two-year Colleges?
Can part-time students be invited to become members?
What about students who attend college in the United States but who are not citizens of this country?
What about fees?
How much time will being a member take?

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What is Phi Theta Kappa?

Phi Theta Kappa is the scholastic honor society for students attending two-year colleges. Founded in 1918, it is the only internationally acclaimed honor society serving institutions which offer associate degree programs. The purpose is to recognize and encourage scholarship among associate degree students. To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa provides opportunity for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate to exchange ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship among scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence.

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What is required to join Phi Theta Kappa?

  • Currently be enrolled at PortlandCommunity College
  • Complete at least 12 credits of college level courses
  • Have a 3.5 or greater Grade Point Average
  • Maintain at least a 3.0 Grade Point Average to remain in good standing
  • Adhere to the College Conduct Code
  • Possess recognized qualities of citizenship
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Why should I become a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society for Two-year Colleges?

  1. Members of Phi Theta Kappa may apply for more than $33 million in transfer scholarships, provided exclusively to Society members by more than 550 senior institutions.
  2. Members of Phi Theta Kappa are eligible for nomination by their college for the All-USA Academic Team competition. In addition, 33 states sponsor All-State Academic Team programs, providing further recognition for outstanding students.
  3. Members of Phi Theta Kappa may take advantage of several internally funded scholarship programs including the Leaders of Promise (for completion of associate degree) and the Guistwhite Scholarship (for completion of baccalaureate degree).
  4. All members of Phi Theta Kappa are automatically nominated for the National Dean’s List, a publication of America’s most outstanding college students.
  5. Members may join Get Connected, the exclusive place to find cutting-edge services, programs and resources selected especially to meet your needs. All of these benefits are available to members free of charge.
  6. Members of Phi Theta Kappa may submit manuscripts to Nota Bene, the Society’s honors anthology.
  7. All members of Phi Theta Kappa receive the prestigious Golden Key Membership Pin.
  8. All members of Phi Theta Kappa receive the impressive Certificate of Membership.
  9. Members of Phi Theta Kappa may affix the Society’s Gold Diploma Seal, denoting Society membership, to their two-year college diploma.
  10. Members of Phi Theta Kappa may have their membership in the international honor society noted on their transcript, contingent on their college’s policy.
  11. Members of Phi Theta Kappa may wear the Society’s golden monogrammed Honors Stole and Tassel, at college commencement exercises, available through purchase, contingent on college policy.
  12. All members of Phi Theta Kappa receive a wallet-size Identification Card.
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Can part-time students be invited to become members?

Yes, if they have accumulated the number of hours required by the college to designate full-time status.

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What about students who attend college in the United States but who are not citizens of this country?

International students are welcome to become members. They must achieve the required GPA, have accumulated the number of hours required by the college to designate full-time status, and possess all rights of citizenship in their native land.

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What about fees?

The Phi Theta Kappa International Membership fee is $38 per person and is paid only once. Members are also required to pay a one-time regional fee. To find out what your regional fees are, visit the Regions Directory and select your region from the pull-down menu. In addition, many chapters elect to charge a local fee to help with the expenses of operating their chapter. To find the contact information of chapters in your area, visit the Chapter Directory and select your state from the pull-down menu.

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How much time will being a member take?

The time a member devotes to Phi Theta Kappa is a matter of individual choice. Some Phi Theta Kappa members choose to devote many hours to chapter activities; others may elect to not participate at all. Phi Theta Kappa's Constitution requires only that a prospective inductee make and maintain certain GPAs. No service activities may be required of new or old members; nor can the chapter withhold any benefits (i.e., wearing honors stole; receiving scholarship recommendations).

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