Discipline-Specific Honor Societies
Biology
Beta Beta Beta
Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) is dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. Since its founding in 1922 at Oklahoma City University, more than 520 chapters have been established throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. SUNY Cortland's chapter, Upsilon Epsilon, was established in 1982.
Contact Information
Biological Sciences Department
Bowers Hall, Room 1204
607-753-2235
National Beta Beta Beta Website
Criminology
Alpha Phi Sigma
Alpha Phi Sigma was founded in 1942 at Washington State University for criminal justice majors. The society recognizes academic excellence of undergraduate and graduate students of criminal justice, criminology and related majors as well as the juris doctorate. There are more than 360 chapters nationwide.
To be eligible for membership, a student must be a junior or senior criminology major who has a minimum 3.2 cumulative grade point average, a minimum 3.2 major grade point average, ranks in the top 35 percent of his or her class and has completed at least one-third of the total credit hours for graduation and 12 credit hours in the criminology major.
SUNY Cortland's Iota Chi chapter holds its annual induction ceremony in May.
Contact Information
Sociology/Anthropology Department
Moffett Center, Room 2118
607-753-2472
National Alpha Phi Sigma Website
Economics
Omicron Delta Epsilon
Omicron Delta Epsilon recognizes and honors outstanding achievements in economics, establishes closer ties between students and faculty, publishes its official journal, The American Economist, and sponsors panels at professional meetings. There are 578 chapters in nine countries. SUNY Cortland's chapter was started in 1976.
To be eligible for membership, a student must have completed 12 credit hours of economics courses, attained at least a B average in economics courses as well as in all classes and rank in the top one-third of his or her class. Members are not required to be economics majors.
Contact Information
Economics Department
Old Main, Room 136-B
607-753-2437
National Omicron Delta Epsilon Website
Education
Kappa Delta Pi
Kappa Delta Pi was founded in 1911 at the University of Illinois to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. From its beginning, the society included women as well as men. Albert Einstein, George Washington Carver, Eleanor Roosevelt and Margaret Mead are just a few of the historically known members. Kappa Delta Pi boasts more than 600 chapters across North America.
To be eligible for membership, a student must be enrolled in an institution offering an education degree and have the intent to continue academically and professionally in the field of education; demonstrate leadership attributes; have completed at least 30 credit hours of college-level coursework; have at least 12 credit hours in education coursework programmed, in progress, or completed; and have a 3.5 cumulative grade point average.
The SUNY Cortland's Epsilon Chi chapter holds its annual induction ceremony in the spring.
Contact Information
Childhood/Early Childhood Education Department
Education Building, Room 1246
607-753-2451
National Kappa Delta Pi Website
English
Sigma Tau Delta
Sigma Tau Delta was founded in 1924 at Dakota Wesleyan University to confer distinction upon students of the English language and literature. The society also recognizes the accomplishments of professional writers who have contributed to the fields of language and literature. There are more than 750 active chapters located in Europe, the Caribbean and the U.S. SUNY Cortland hosts the Epsilon Chi chapter.
To be eligible for membership, a student must have a minimum of two college courses in English language or literature beyond the usual requirements in freshman English. The candidate must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average both within English and overall, must rank in the top 35 percent of his or her class and must have completed at least three semesters of college coursework.
Contact Information
English Department
Old Main, Room 115-E
607-753-2073
National Sigma Tau Delta Website
French
Pi Delta Phi
Pi Delta Phi, established in 1906, aims to recognize outstanding scholarship in the French language and its literatures, increase the knowledge and appreciation of Americans for the cultural contributions of the French-speaking world, and to stimulate and encourage French and francophone cultural activities. There are currently more than 330 chapters in the U.S. and two representative chapters at the American Universities in Paris and Aix-en-Provence in France.
To be eligible for membership, a student must have completed at least one course of upper-division French, beyond intermediate-level courses, have a minimum 3.0 grade point average in French, a minimum 2.8 overall grade point average, rank in the top 35 percent of his or her class and have sophomore standing.
SUNY Cortland's Theta Rho chapter holds its annual induction ceremony in April.
Contact Information
Modern Languages Department
Old Main, Room 225-G
607-753-2017
National Pi Delta Phi Website
Health
Eta Sigma Gamma
Eta Sigma Gamma is the national health education honor society whose major functions are teaching, service and research. Founded in 1967 at Ball State University, the society currently has more than 85 chapters throughout the U.S.
To be eligible for membership, a student must uphold the goals of the honorary by participating in events related to education, research and service. In addition to those three areas, each member must maintain a minimum 2.7 overall grade point average and a 3.0 grade point average in the health field.
SUNY Cortland's Kappa chapter holds an induction ceremony in the spring semester.
Contact Information
Health Department
Moffett Center, Room 105
National Eta Sigma Gamma Website
History
Phi Alpha Theta
Established in 1921 at the University of Arkansas, Phi Alpha Theta is a professional society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. The society has grown to 860 chapters since its inception. SUNY Cortland hosts the Nu-Omicron chapter.
To be eligible for membership, a student must have a minimum 3.1 grade point average in 12 or more credit hours of history, a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average and should be in the top 35 percent of his or class. Membership is open to non-history majors.
Contact Information
History Department
Old Main, Room 210-E
607-753-2057
National Phi Alpha Theta Website
Physics
Sigma Pi Sigma
Sigma Pi Sigma was founded in 1921 to honor outstanding scholarship in physics, to encourage interest in physics among students at all levels, to promote an attitude of service of its members toward their fellow students, colleagues and the public and to provide a fellowship of persons who have excelled in physics. Membership in Sigma Pi Sigma is for a lifetime.
To be eligible for membership, a student must be in the top one-third of his or her class in general scholarship, must have completed at least three semesters of full-time college work and at least three semester courses in physics that can be credited toward a physics major. Non-physics majors who meet the standards are eligible for membership.
Contact Information
Physics Department
Bowers Hall, Room 126
607-753-2822
National Sigma Pi Sigma Website
Political Science
Pi Sigma Alpha
Pi Sigma Alpha is the only honor society for college and university students of government in the U.S. One of its purposes is "to stimulate scholarship and intelligent interest in political science." Founded in 1920 at the University of Texas, there are nearly 700 chapters on campuses across the country.
To be eligible for membership, a student must be a junior or senior who has completed at least 10 credit hours in political science, including at least one upper-division course, with an average grade of B or higher and who is in the top one-third of his or her class. Members are not required to be political science majors.
SUNY Cortland's Zeta Delta chapter holds an induction ceremony at the end of every semester.
Contact Information
Political Science Department
Old Main, Room 207
607-753-4105
Email
National Zeta Delta Website
Psychology
Psi Chi - The International Honor Society in Psychology
Contact Information
Psychology Department
Old Main, Room 132
607-753-4219
National Psi Chi Website
Recreation
Rho Phi Lambda
Rho Phi Lambda was established to recognize superior recreation, parks and leisure studies students, to encourage the development of professional standards for the leisure field, to stimulate the personal development of individual member's professional growth and to recognize those persons who have made outstanding contributions to the field of recreation, parks and leisure studies.
To be eligible for membership, a student must show evidence of academic excellence in scholarship, leadership and service to campus or community, have a minimum 3.2 overall grade point average, a 3.5 grade point average in recreation courses, complete 45 hours toward graduation at SUNY Cortland and be in the top 15 percent of his or her class.
SUNY Cortland's Alpha Eta chapter holds its annual induction ceremony in May.
Contact Information
Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department
Professional Studies Building, Room 2216
607-753-4972
Sociology
Alpha Kappa Delta
Alpha Kappa Delta was founded in 1920 at the University of Southern California. The name, freely interpreted, signifies social research for the purpose of service. There are more than 630 chapters.
To be eligible for membership, a student must be a junior or senior sociology major or minor with a minimum 3.3 cumulative grade point average, a minimum 3.0 major grade point average and have completed four courses in residence at the College.
SUNY Cortland's New York Nu chapter holds its annual induction ceremony in May.
Contact Information
Sociology/Anthropology Department
Moffett Center, Room 2120-B
607-753-2471
National Alpha Kappa Delta Website
Spanish
Sigma Delta Pi
Sigma Delta Pi was established in 1919 at the University of California in Berkeley. Its insignia is the royal seal of Fernando and Isabel, representing Castille, León and Aragón. The society's colors are red and gold and its flower is the red carnation. Since its inception, the society has expanded to more than 560 chapters in 49 states.
To be eligible for membership, a student must have completed 18 credit hours of 300-level or above college Spanish, including at least three credit hours of Hispanic literature or Hispanic culture and civilization, must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average in all Spanish courses taken, must have an overall 3.2 grade point average or better and must have completed at least three semesters of college coursework.
SUNY Cortland's Mu Rho chapter holds its annual induction ceremony in the spring.
Contact Information
Modern Languages Department
Old Main, Room 225-A
607-753-2023