History Honor Society
Phi Alpha Theta is one of the oldest disciplinary honor societies and has a scholarship program for members, as well as a scholarly journal. To qualify for membership, undergraduates must have completed 18 credits in history with a minimum 3.3 GPA in their history courses and 3.25 overall. Graduate students must have finished 12 credits with a minimum 3.5 GPA.
Brockport history students are admitted to Phi Alpha Theta based upon their record of academic achievement and the recommendation of the Governance Committee of the History Department. The honor gives students a full, life-time membership in Phi Alpha Theta, the national History Honors Society. Less than 8% of history majors qualify making it an honor to be accepted. Phi Alpha Theta is the oldest and second largest disciplinary honors society in the country. This award is a testimony to student accomplishments as a History major. Beyond this, it will enhance any resume and carries with it added advantages in U.S. Civil Service ratings, for those who seek employment with the federal government.
“The Historian”, the scholarly journal published by Phi Alpha Theta, is delivered to every member along with a gold embossed membership certificate. Members also have the opportunity to deliver papers at the society’s annual conferences and win prizes. Brockport students have participated every year since 2002. The Phi Alpha Theta initiation ceremony and reception has been ongoing for over fifty years. New members are honored individually with their families in attendance. The ceremony lasts less than an hour and is a highlight of the year for our department. This is a professional award that lasts a lifetime!