How To Get Into Phi Beta Kappa

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On the front of the Phi Beta Kappa key, a pointing finger symbolizes the ambition of the young scholars who founded the organization. Three stars symbolize the three distinguishing principles of the Society: friendship, morality, and literature (scholarship).

back of key

On the back of the key are the letters S and P, initials for the Latin motto Societas Philosophiae, or "philosophical society."

Phi Beta Kappa (Φ Β Κ) are the Greek initials of the mottoPhilosophia Biou Kubernetes, love of wisdom, the guide of life.

General Criteria for Eligibility

Election to membership in Phi Beta Kappa is an honor conferred upon fewer than ten percent of each graduating class. Students do not apply for membership but are selected during the spring semester each year by the Phi Beta Kappa chapter as a whole, after a careful review of the academic records of each eligible candidate. Members are generally elected in their senior year, but the chapter may elect deserving juniors and graduate students, as well.

Election is based upon the evidence of broad cultural interests, scholarly achievement, and good character. Candidates for membership in course should have a distinguished record of performance in liberal arts courses, exclusive of professional and vocational training, internships, and practica. They should demonstrate a broad exposure to the liberal arts—fine arts, humanities, languages, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, and six hours in history—as well as substantial work in areas outside their major.

Election to membership in Phi Beta Kappa is wholly within the discretion of the members of this chapter, subject only to the limitations imposed by the chapter constitution and bylaws. No right to election shall adhere to any student solely by reason of fulfillment of a minimum grade point average for election to membership in course.

Although the honor bestowed by membership in the Society recognizes academic achievement, the qualifications for election to Phi Beta Kappa are entirely independent of the academic policies of The University of Mississippi, and it should not be assumed that fulfillment of the requirements for graduation render one automatically eligible for election to Phi Beta Kappa.

Graduate Student Eligibility

Graduate students shall be elected to membership in course only in strict accord with the provisions of the chapter constitution.

"If graduate students in course are elected, they must be completing, with an unusually high record, at least two years of graduate study leading towards the Ph. D. degree, must meet the same standards as to liberal studies as are applied to undergraduates, and shall ordinarily be graduates of institutions not having a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa and the possessors of a superior standing in their undergraduate work." Chapter Constitution (Article III, section 4.)

The number of graduate students elected in any year shall ordinarily be limited to a maximum of five percent of the individuals admitted to candidacy for doctoral degrees in liberal fields.

Excerpt of the Beta of Mississippi Chapter Bylaws Regarding Undergraduate Eligibility:

Article III. Election and Admission of New Members

Section 1.

Members in course shall be elected primarily on the basis of broad cultural interests, scholarly achievement, and good character. Juniors and seniors who are candidates for the bachelor's degree may be considered under the following conditions:

a. The student's record shall include coursework in the liberal arts and sciences equivalent to at least three-quarters of the credits ordinarily required for a bachelor's degree (not less than 90 semester hours of work).
b. The candidate shall have completed at least three full semesters of work in residence at the University of Mississippi and be fully registered for the fourth semester.
c. For election as a junior, the candidate shall have completed at least one academic term of the junior year of college work. The caliber of his or her work should be of exceptional distinction, including, for all graded work, a quality point ratio of at least 3.90. The minimum quality point ratio for election of a senior shall be 3.80.
d. Grades earned in applied or professional work shall not be counted in computing the quality point ratio for purposes of eligibility. Applied and professional work shall be understood to include all training intended to develop skills or vocational techniques, in such fields as business administration, education, engineering, family and consumer sciences, journalism, library science, military science, physical education, communications, secretarial studies, speech and theater, applied art and music, pre-professional studies, social work, communicative disorders, criminal justice, forensic science, pharmacy, and accountancy.
e. Weight shall be given to the breadth of the program of each candidate as shown by the number and variety of courses taken outside of his or her major. Weight shall also be given to the number and variety of courses taken in the Honors College and in other advanced academic programs. Weight shall also be given to balance and proportion in the candidate's degree program as a whole.
f. Candidates shall have demonstrated a knowledge of mathematics and of a foreign language at least minimally appropriate for liberal education.

Section 2.

Students electing a combined curriculum in such fields as law, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or engineering may be considered if, before transferring to professional school:

a. they complete at least the same number of hours in liberal work as are required for candidates in Article III, Section 1(a) [i.e. 90 semester hours];
b. they have completed at least half the requirements for a liberal major; and
c. they meet all of the other conditions stated in Article III, Section 1 (b-f).

Section 3.

Subject to other provisions of the chapter constitution and these bylaws, students who complete their college course at the end of the summer session and become eligible at the same time may be considered with the eligible group of the next academic year. Subject to other provisions of the chapter constitution and these bylaws, students who complete their college course at the end of the fall semester and become eligible at the same time may be considered with the eligible group of the next spring semester in that same academic year.

Stipulations Concerning Eligibility for Membership in Course from the National Phi Beta Kappa Society:

Eligibility for election to Phi Beta Kappa as an undergraduate member in course shall be contingent upon fulfillment of the following minimum requirements. These minimum requirements are the National Society's basis of the criteria set in the Chapters' constitution and bylaws. Chapters are expected to determine the specific application of standards stated in these Stipulations.

Eligible students shall be candidates for a bachelor's degree.

They shall include not less than 90 semester hours (or the equivalent) of liberal work among the 120 hours ordinarily required for the degree, exclusive of required courses in physical education and any military science.

Students electing a combined curriculum in such fields as law, medicine, dentistry, or engineering may be considered if they take at least 90 semester hours or the equivalent of liberal work in a College of Arts and Sciences, complete at least half of the requirements for a liberal major, and meet all of the other requirements defined in these Stipulations.

Grades earned in applied or professional work shall not be counted in computing the grade point average for purposes of eligibility. Applied and professional work shall be understood to include those courses intended primarily to develop skills or vocational techniques in such fields as business administration, education, engineering, home economics, journalism, library science, military science, physical education, communications, secretarial studies, speech, and applied art and music.

Weight shall be given to the breadth and proportion of the program of each candidate as shown by the number and variety of courses taken outside the major.

Candidates shall have demonstrated in mathematics and foreign language knowledge appropriate for a liberal education.