Phi Mu chapter of Phi Alpha National Social Work Honor Society

 

Phi AlphaWhat is the Phi Alpha Honor Society?

The purpose of Phi Alpha Honor Society is to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote humanitarian goals and ideas. Phi Alpha fosters high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work.

How it all begin?

The concept of a national social work honor society came from a group of undergraduate social work students at Michigan State University in 1960. Investigation revealed that local chapters existed at three schools. Those three schools along with a few other schools formed a National Honor Society Committee in November of 1960. For more than a year, this committee worked on the constitution and other administrative matters. The name Phi Alpha was adopter from the local chapter existing at Florida State University.

The constitution and formal organization were completed in 1962, and six chapters qualified to become "charter chapters." The charter chapters were Florida State University, Michigan State University, Ohio North University, Central State College, University of Dayton, and the University of Tennessee. Over 450 chapters are now in existence, and the addition of new chapters is continuing.

Phi Alpha offers membership to social work students, faculty and practitioners. Each chapter is free to develop a program to meet local needs. The National Council of Phi Alpha, the organization's policy making body, meets once a year at the Council of Social Work Education's (CSWE's) annual program meeting conference. Each chapter has one voting representative on The National Council.

What are the benefits of becoming a member?

Benefits of Membership

  • Recognition of academic excellence in Social Work's internationally recognized Honor Society
  • Respected by employers, Graduate Schools, and the community
  • National presentation opportunities
  • Lifetime membership
  • Membership certificate & lapel pin
  • Leadership opportunities
  • Community service opportunities with other students and local agencies
  • 5 different Awards, Grants, and Scholarships available to Members
  • Induction Ceremony

Who is eligible to become a member?

An undergraduate student is eligible for membership after achieving the following national requirements and meeting local chapter requirements (if any).

    • Declared Social Work as a Major
    • Achieved Sophomore status.
    • Completed 9 semester hours (12 quarter hours) of required social work courses.
    • Achieved an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
    • Achieved a 3.25 GPA in required social work courses.

Is there a fee to join?

  • $30. Fee for lifetime membership.
    • May be waived if financial hardship.

Current Phi Alpha Advisor:

Dr. Michael Clarkson-Hendrix

Phi Mu
Phi Alpha National Social Work Honor Society
SUNY Fredonia
Sociocultural and Justice Sciences Department
W389 Thompson Hall