ΦΑM      

Honor Society Membership at OCC

What are some benefits of honor society membership?

• Support for your high educational standards and values
• Receive personal and public recognition of your outstanding academic achievement
• Participate in extra-curricular, fundraising, and community service activities
• Develop leadership and organizational skills
• Improve your potential for transfer to competitive four-year universities and programs
• Compete for additional scholarships
• Attend local, regional, and national conferences
• Receive special notations on official OCC transcripts
• Earn distinction at graduation ceremonies and the privilege of wearing honors regalia
• Make new friends and acquaintences
• Take advantage of exclusive offers (e.g., PTK: discounts on the purchase of computers and books, insurance, and exam preparation classes)

What you need to know:

Honor society membership is NOT automatic. You must apply separately to each honor society for which you qualify and wish to join. Some societies require a one-time application; others may require renewals each semester until permanent membership is achieved.

Honor societies are NOT fraternities or sororities. Membership in honor societies is not limited by gender. Furthermore, honor societies focus on academic as well as social and community-service goals.

You may apply for membership in one or more honor societies. There is no limit to the number of societies that you are permitted to join, provided you meet the enrollment requirements of each.

Honor society membership generally requires the payment of dues. Currently, dues range from as little as $10 to as much as $68. Some dues are payable each semester, others are collected on a one-time basis. All are pre-paid with the application. EOPS students may be eligible for dues assistance (please check with the EOPS office for more information).

Certain honor society memberships may be available to students with GPA's of at least 3.0 and completion of at least 12 units of OCC letter-graded coursework. Find out the specific additional requirements for membership in each of the OCC honor society chapters by following the links to the left.

Which honor society chapters exist at OCC?
OCC current has chapters of six honor societies:

ΜΑΘ  
Mu Alpha Theta, the National Honor Society for Mathematics, is open to students who meet minimum GPA and math coursework requirements. For more information, click on the MAT link.

ФΑΜ 
Phi Alpha Mu, the Orange Coast College Honor Society for Social and Behavioral Sciences, is open to students who meet minimum GPA and coursework requirements in the social and behavioral sciences. Currently accepting applications. For more information, click on the PAM link. 

Ψβ    
Psi Beta, the National Honor Society in Psychology for Community and Junior Colleges, is open to students who meet minimum GPA and psychology coursework requirements. Currently accepting applications. For more information, click on the PB link.

National Technical Honor Society (NTHS)
Please check back soon for more information about eligibility and a link to the NTHS.



What if you don't see an honor society in your area of study or interest?
Think about establishing a new chapter or honor society at OCC. Start by researching the existance of established statewide, national or international honor societies available to two-year colleges in your particular field of interest. Then, find out about the chartering process, including the cost of starting a new chapter. Finally, find the necessary support of students, faculty, administrators, and the appropriate academic division for the establishment of a new chapter or society.