Honor Society

Psi Chi, The National Honor Society in Psychology

The psychology club and Psi Chi at Niagara University aim to promote interest in the field of psychology among the student body.  Regular meetings are held and the club sponsors a variety of activities, including guest speakers, service learning experiences, field trips, and socials.

Psi Chi is the National Honor Society in Psychology. Our Psi Chi Chapter provides you with the opportunity to join Psi Chi if you meet certain standards required by Psi Chi and the Association of College Honor Societies (a governing body for college honor societies).

Membership in Psi Chi is an earned honor which is for life. Your membership is preserved at the Psi Chi national office and can be called upon for reference purposes such as applications for graduate school and jobs. The only charge by the national organization is a once-in-a-lifetirne registration fee of $25. The national organization does not charge dues or assessments.

When you are inducted into Psi Chi, you are presented with a membership certificate suitable for framing and a membership card. You are eligible to wear Psi Chi emblems including keypins, charms, lapel pins, tie tacs, cloth emblems for blazers or sweaters, etc. A quarterly Psi Chi Newsletter is furnished to the chapters for you to pick up free of charge at chapter meetings. (Individual copies are available by subscription.) Among the topics covered in the newsletters are national, regional, state, international, and local conventions at which you are eligible to attend and present papers. Also included are opportunities to participate in undergraduate and graduate research award competitions. The names of new members and activities of chapters are published in the newsletter and preserved for historical purposes.

Among The National Organization's Requirements For Membership Are:

1. Number of hours required in psychology courses:
   1. Semester Hour System. Completion of 8 semester hours of psychology, or 6 semester hours and registration for at least 2 semester hours of psychology in addition, or equivalent credits in courses related to psychology.
   2. Quarter Hour System. Completion of 12 quarter hours of psychology, or 9 hours and registration for at least 3 quarter hours of psychology in addition, or equivalent credits in courses related to psychology.
2. Registration for major or minor standing in psychology or for a program psychological in nature which is equivalent to such standings.
3. Undergraduates who are elected to Psi Chi must rank in the upper 35 percent of their class in general scholarship and must demonstrate superior scholarship in psychology, earning an average grade o "B" or better in psychology courses. Psi Chi accepts the policy of the institution regarding grades.
4. For graduate students, an average grade of '13" or better in all graduate courses, including psychology.
5. High standards of personal behavior 6. Two-thirds affirmative vote of those present at a regular meeting of the chapter.