The National Criminal Justice Honor Society
What is Alpha Phi Sigma?
Alpha Phi Sigma is the only nationally recognized honor society for criminal justice. Founded in 1942, Alpha Phi Sigma has grown to over 400 chapters at colleges and universities in 48 states, Guam and Canada. The society recognizes scholastic excellence by undergraduate and graduate students in the criminal justice sciences.
Membership Qualifications
All students must have completed one-third of the credit hours required for graduation by a college or university accredited by the appropriate regional accreditation organization. They also must be recommended by a local chapter advisor or faculty member.
Brockport Criminal Justice majors may be nominated by the faculty each spring semester if they achieve a 3.5 GPA or above (both cumulative and in the major) and demonstrate good character and future potential that is consistent with the mission of the Alpha Phi Sigma honor society.
National Recognition
Alpha Phi Sigma is the only nationally recognized honor society for students of criminal justice.
The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) granted Alpha Phi Sigma affiliate status in 1975. Since 1978, Alpha Phi Sigma has held its national convention in conjunction with the annual ACJS meeting. The Academy’s continued support of Alpha Phi Sigma serves to enhance Alpha Phi Sigma’s purpose—the recognition of scholarly achievement in the field of criminal justice.
Alpha Phi Sigma was admitted to the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) in 1980. Membership in ACHS is restricted to fully accredited honor societies. ACHS presently counts among its member chapters the nation’s most prestigious college honor societies.
Organization
The organization of Alpha Phi Sigma includes a national office located on the campus of a member chapter. Four national student officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer) are elected by the membership annually. There are also four national criminal justice faculty advisors.
Local chapters are established at universities throughout the United States. To gain admission as a chapter, a university must have a minimum of ten student members and a designated faculty advisor.
Eligible students who are enrolled at a university without a local chapter can gain admission to Alpha Phi Sigma upon the completion of an application form accompanied by the recommendation of a criminal justice faculty member.
Why Join Alpha Phi Sigma?
- Recognition of Achievement: The hard work and personal sacrifice that is required to achieve scholastic excellence deserve recognition.
- Alpha Phi Sigma membership designates you as an outstanding student by national standards. Indication of this on your resume will make you stand out from many others.
- National Newsletter: Active members receive a bi-annual national newsletter that reports on areas of concern to the criminal justice sciences and the society.
- Special Awards: Each year the national office awards a cash scholarship to one member. Awards are also given to students who complete the Annual Call for Papers. Local Chapters also compete for the outstanding national chapter service award which is presented each year.
- Annual Convention: A national convention is held each year. The convention is held in conjunction with the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and presents a wide range of programs and activities.