History Honor Society, PHI ALPHA THETA (P.A.T.)
2023 Phi Alpha Theta Northwest Regional Conference participants on the campus of Central Washington
The American honor society, Phi Alpha Theta (ΦΑΘ) is for undergraduate and graduate students and professors of history. The society has over 350,000 members, with about 9,500 new members joining each year through 860 local chapters.
Phi Alpha Theta was established on March 17, 1921 at the University of Arkansas by Professor Nels Cleven. Cleven had become convinced in his time at the university that a fraternity of scholars (which would accept men or women) was important for the study of history. He invited students to a meeting to form the society (then called the “University Historical Society”) on March 14, and the society was officially recognized on the 17th.
In April, the decision was made for the society to be known by the Greek letters Phi Alpha Theta.
Membership Requirements
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students must complete the following items to apply for membership:
- a minimum of 12 semester hours (4 courses) in History,
- achieve a minimum GPA of 3.1 in History, and a GPA of 3.0 or better overall.
- A maximum of 3 credit hours of online, transfer, or AP credits may be applied to the membership eligibility requirement.
Membership is not limited to History majors. A chapter advisor may also require that the student be ranked in the top 35% of their class. The chapter advisor has the discretion of making eligibility requirements for his/her chapter more (but not less) stringent than the national requirement.
Graduate Students
Graduate students should have completed the following items to apply for membership:
- a minimum of 12 semester hours towards their Master’s Degree in History,
- have a GPA of better than 3.5, and
- complete approximately 30% of the residence requirements for the Master’s Degree.
Application Instructions:
Complete the form below, make your $50.00 check payable to WWU, and deliver both to the Administrative Services Manager, Rebecca Hutchins, Bond Hall 362. Visit the Phi Alpha Website or contact Phi Alpha Theta Advisor, Prof. Dharitri Bhattacharjee, for more information.