Academic honor societies provide opportunities for members to participate in activities related to their majors. Academic honoraries are administered through a department advisor who works with student officers. Honor societies approved by the Student Government Association are eligible to apply annually for SGA operating funds. Below is a list of current academic honor societies at Elon University.
Phi Beta Kappa
Elon University houses a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest academic honor society. Phi Beta Kappa honors the top graduating seniors who have distinguished themselves in the study of the liberal arts and sciences. To be eligible for invitation, a student must demonstrate breadth in the liberal arts and sciences, including competence in mathematics and credit for placement beyond the intermediate level of a foreign language. For students matriculating at Elon University in Fall 2016 or later, consideration for PBK membership will require students to meet one of the following foreign language stipulations:
- The student must have credit for a 2020-level foreign language course or have placed beyond 2020.
- The student must have credit for a 2010-level foreign language course or placed into 2020 AND have completed course work in that language for a fall or spring semester abroad in a country in which that same language is a primary mode of communication.
At least three fourths of the degree program (99 semester hours) must be in liberal work, i.e., not applied or professional work. Further stipulations for eligibility are available at the Eta Chapter of North Carolina.
Phi Kappa Phi
Membership in this national interdisciplinary honor society is one of the highest honors an Elon student can attain for academic excellence. Seniors (fourth-year students) in the top 10 percent of their class and juniors (third-year students) in the top 5 percent of their class are eligible for membership, must be in good standing, and must be distinguished through academic accomplishment.
Alpha Delta Omega
Alpha Delta Omega recognizes scholastic achievement by majors in human services.
Alpha Kappa Delta
Alpha Kappa Delta recognizes scholastic achievement in sociology.
Alpha Psi Omega
Alpha Psi Omega recognizes scholastic achievement in the theatre arts programs.
Beta Alpha Psi
Beta Alpha Psi recognizes scholastic achievement in accounting.
Beta Beta Beta
Beta Beta Beta recognizes scholastic achievement in the biology program.
Beta Gamma Sigma
Beta Gamma Sigma recognizes scholastic achievement in accounting and business administration.
Gamma Sigma Alpha
Gamma Sigma Alpha recognizes scholastic achievement for members of Greek-letter organizations.
Gamma Theta Upsilon
Gamma Theta Upsilon recognizes scholastic achievement in geography.
Lambda Pi Eta
Lambda Pi Eta recognizes scholastic achievement in the field of communications.
Mu Sigma Rho
Mu Sigma Rho recognizes scholastic achievement in the field of statistics.
Omicron Delta Epsilon
Omicron Delta Epsilon recognizes scholastic achievement in the field of economics.
Order of Omega
Order of Omega recognizes students, faculty, staff and alumni for outstanding leadership, promotion of interfraternalism and service to the university and surrounding community.
Phi Alpha Theta
Phi Alpha Theta recognizes scholastic achievement in the history program.
Phi Beta Delta
Phi Beta Delta recognizes scholastic achievement of international students and scholars, U.S. students who have studied abroad, and faculty and staff who are involved in international activities and scholarship.
Phi Eta Sigma
Phi Eta Sigma recognizes high scholastic achievement among members of the first-year class.
Pi Delta Phi
Pi Delta Phi recognizes achievement by majors and minors in French.
Pi Gamma Mu
The North Carolina Alpha chapter of Pi Gamma Mu, national social science honor society, was chartered in 1929. Students and faculty members who attain distinction in the social sciences at Elon are eligible for nomination into membership.
Pi Mu Epsilon
Pi Mu Epsilon recognizes scholastic achievement in mathematics.
Pi Sigma Alpha
Pi Sigma Alpha recognizes scholastic achievement in the political science program.
Psi Chi
Psi Chi recognizes achievement by majors in psychology.
Sigma Delta Pi
Sigma Delta Pi recognizes achievement by majors in Spanish.
Sigma Iota Rho
Sigma Iota Rho recognizes scholastic achievement in the international studies program.
Sigma Tau Delta
Sigma Tau Delta recognizes scholastic achievement in English.
Theta Alpha Kappa
Theta Alpha Kappa recognizes students and faculty for scholastic achievement in the field of religious studies.
Omicron Delta Kappa
Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, recognizes students, faculty, staff, and alumni and outstanding citizens for exemplary scholarship, character, service, and leadership in campus life, and good citizenship within the academic and larger community.