Pi Sigma Alpha is a certified member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS). ACHS sets standards for national honor society excellence and serves as the only certifying agency for college and university honor societies in the nation. Pi Sigma Alpha has also received a Gold Seal of Transparency with Guidestar.
More information about how to assess whether an honor society invitation is legitimate can be found here.
Visit our online store to order an honor cord, medallion, pin, or other Pi Sigma Alpha merchandise. Some chapters order regalia on your behalf. Please check in with your faculty advisor before you make a purchase. Please note: sales tax and/or shipping fees may apply.
The lifetime national membership fee is $35.00. Each new member receives a membership certificate. A lapel pin may be added for $2.00. Individual chapters often collect additional money from each initiate to use for their own chapter programs. The initiation fee is the only payment members ever make to the national office of the honor society; there are no annual dues.
Membership in the honor society is possible only for students currently enrolled in political science programs in departments where chapters are located, who meet the specific academic eligibility criteria. Their eligibility must be verified by the chapter advisor, and their names sent to the national office on an official form. Individuals cannot join on their own.
The national office offers two solutions for faculty advisors to handle membership.
1) My Honor Society: This online platform allows faculty advisors to submit a list of eligible students and then the national office returns a code for those student to join via the online system. After the deadline for students to respond has passed, our fulfillment partner will send the materials directly to the chapter for disbursement. Please contact the national office for help logging in or using the platform.
2) Email orders: If the local chapter prefers, they can collect dues and submit an order form via email to office@pisigmaalpha.org. If paying with a check, we require that the initiation fees for the whole group of new chapter members be sent in the form of one single check, not individual checks from students.
Once payment is received, chapters should receive their orders within two weeks. For those using the online membership system, orders are not finalized and processed until the invitation close date.
The National Office sends out periodic communications to members about various award, grant, and event opportunities. Members’ email addresses are never shared or sold.
If your certificate was lost or damaged, or if your chapter misspelled your name on the form when they sent it in, the National Office will gladly issue your a corrected and/or reprinted certificate. The charge is $15, payable by check or credit card to Pi Sigma Alpha. Email the National Office at office@pisigmaalpha.org with instructions for how to order a replacement or log on to My Honor Society and order your replacement directly.
Then by all means please e-mail the national office at office@pisigmaalpha.org with your questions. Be sure to indicate the name of your chapter in your email, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.