Why Join PSA?

Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, is the only honor society for college students of political science and government in the United States. Pi Sigma Alpha is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) and is designated as a "Specialized, Upper-Division" society by ACHS. There are now over 658 chapters of Pi Sigma Alpha located on college and university campuses in every state of the United States and in Guam. The National Office of Pi Sigma Alpha is located at 1527 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036

Membership in an honor society is a worthy distinction in itself, and as a measure of academic achievement can provide a tangible advantage in a competitive world. All Pi Sigma Alpha members, regular and honorary, receive a certificate of membership and permanent enrollment in the society's membership data base, maintained by the National Office. Upon request, the National Office will provide letters verifying membership to prospective employers or graduate schools.

Because Pi Sigma Alpha is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS), the U. S. Office of Personnel Management allows its members to apply for federal government positions listed at a higher entry-level grade than non-member candidates.
Members are entitled to wear the Pi Sigma Alpha key at any time, and the medallion and honor cord with cap-and-gown at graduation and on other official occasions.
Members may apply for the Pi Sigma Alpha/Howard Penniman Schoolarships for Graduate Study in Political Science, scholarships for Washington Semester programs, and for Best Paper Awards. All ACHS honor society student members are also entitled to automatic tuition reductions for Washington internship programs run by the Washington Internship Institute, the Fund for American Studies, and The Washington Center.

The National Office supports the awarding by each chapter of a one-year student membership in the American Political Science Association for one member each year.

Pi Sigma Alpha gives students the opportunity for valuable administative experience as chapter officers or organizers of chapter activities. Chapters can compete for the Chapter Activity Grants awarded each year by the Naitonal Office.