Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is the International Honor Society for students enrolled in associate degree programs, serving an estimated one million members and consisting of 1,100 chapters across the United States and throughout the world. Its focus is on growth in the four hallmarks: Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Fellowship. The Beta Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa was chartered at Landmark College in 1994.
How do I become a member of Phi Theta Kappa?
Once a semester (Fall and Spring), students meeting the requirements are invited to join the Beta Alpha Epsilon chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. Membership eligibility is based on the last academic semester or term a student has enrolled in for coursework (Fall, January Term, Spring, and Summer Sessions). Letters of invitation are sent out after the deadline for submitting course grades to the Registrar’s office has passed. To be eligible for Phi Theta Kappa, a student must have met the following requirements:
- Completed 12 credit hours of associate degree course work at Landmark College
- Maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher
- Maintained appropriate community membership (not be on Probation, Deferred Suspension, Suspension, or Expulsion within the Landmark College Judicial System)
Once a student has registered and been inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, their membership status is recorded on their official transcript by the Landmark College Registrar.
What does Phi Theta Kappa membership mean?
Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is recognized as an achievement by institutions of higher education throughout the United States and many international countries. In fact, colleges and universities frequently establish scholarships specifically for Phi Theta Kappa members.
The Phi Theta Kappa Society headquarters in Mississippi provides support for members seeking monetary scholarships. PTK Scholarships is the society’s web presence for general scholarship opportunities. Additionally, the society administers a number of scholarship opportunities, such as the Coca-Cola, New Century Scholars, Guistwhite, and Jack Kent Cooke Scholarships.
Phi Theta Kappa provides opportunities for individual and chapter growth as scholars and student-leaders through their programs. The Five Star Chapter Development program challenges individual chapters to demonstrate growth in the areas of academic scholarship, leadership, and service. Equally valuable is the opportunity for individual members to develop their potential for academic and workplace success through the Five Star Competitive Edge Program. Finally, members have opportunities to showcase their work through submission of their literary and artistic accomplishment through competitions at the regional, national, and international levels.
How do I maintain membership in Phi Theta Kappa?
Once inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, you are a member for life—provided you remain a member in good standing. In order to do so, you must:
- Maintain a grade point average of 3.25
- Maintain appropriate community membership (not be on Probation, Deferred Suspension, Suspension, or Expulsion within the Landmark College Judicial System).
What happens if my GPA falls below 3.25?
If your grade point average falls below 3.25, you will be placed on probation for a semester. If at the end of the semester, your GPA is 3.25 or above, your status will return to member in good standing. If at the end of the semester, your GPA remains below 3.25, your membership in Phi Theta Kappa will be revoked.
What happens if I am involved in the Landmark College Judicial System?
Members found to be in default of the Landmark College Code of Conduct at the conclusion of the judicial process will be at risk of losing their membership in Phi Theta Kappa. If you are placed on Probation, Deferred Suspension, Suspension, or Expulsion within the Landmark College Judicial System, your membership in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society will be revoked.
What activities are spearheaded by the Beta Alpha Epsilon Chapter?
A central focus of Phi Theta Kappa is the Honors in Action Program, an interdisciplinary, contemporary topic of interest related to global challenges. Every two years, a new Honors Study Topic is identified by the Phi Theta Kappa Society. Members choose an issue related to the Honors Study topic to enhance their academic scholarship through research and discussion. Over the past several years, the members of Beta Alpha Epsilon have researched homelessness, social media addiction and its implications for students with ADHD, and educational technology. They have demonstrated their commitment to service through follow-up activities, such as holding a community discussions and multimedia activities.
What leadership opportunities are available within Phi Theta Kappa?
There are numerous leadership opportunities within Phi Theta Kappa. At the chapter level, there are officer positions and committee leadership positions for individual members to explore and develop their leadership skills. For those seeking a greater challenge, there are regional and international officer positions available. Your knowledge level of Phi Theta Kappa, motivation, eligibility, and availability are the only limits to leadership opportunities within the society.
Questions?
If you would like more information on Phi Theta Kappa, you can speak with your academic advisor, resident dean, or the Phi Theta Kappa advisor, Professor Jeanette Landin, Ed.D. Chapter officers are also a good source of information.
Golden Key International Honour Society
Golden Key is the international honor society for students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs. The world’s largest collegiate honor society, Golden Key recognizes in its membership sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students across all majors and disciplines in eight countries. The purpose of this honor society is to recognize academic excellence and to enable members to realize their potential through advancement of academics, leadership, and service.
How do I become a member of Golden Key?
Once a year, in the Spring semester, students who have declared a bachelor’s degree, have earned a minimum of 24 credits, and have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or higher are invited to join Golden Key. A new member recognition event is held during Family Weekend in the Spring semester.
What are the benefits of joining Golden Key?
- $1 million in scholarships offered each year
- Academic recognition, at the new member events and at graduation
- Access to graduate school opportunities
- Access to internship opportunities
- Study abroad and international travel opportunities
- Networking opportunities
