A National Honor Society for Social Work Students

“Through Knowledge – The Challenge to Serve”

The purposes of Phi Alpha Honor Society are to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote humanitarian goals and ideals.

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.

The Phi Alpha Honor Society welcomes all students of Social Work who have demonstrated academic excellence and who are willing to recognize the value of community involvement. Phi Alpha is a national honor club for students with a 3.25 or higher GPA. Master-level students must have a 3.5 GPA from at least one term of their program. MSW students who were already Phi Alpha Members during their BSW program at FAU continue to be members when they start their MSW program.

The advantages of joining Phi Alpha include:

Becoming a member of a nationally recognized organization that supports high standards in social work education

Receiving a “Medallion” and the blue and gold colors of Phi Alpha to wear during the graduation ceremony (When you attend commencement proceedings, your family members will have something extra to share pride with you)

Participation in scholarly activities and social action events

Working together with student colleagues and professors on social issues and creating a scholarly environment at the School of Social Work.

Identification in your vitae as a Phi Alpha Honor Society member ensures acknowledgement of academic excellence and open doors for professional success.

If you meet the following criteria, you may be eligible for consideration as a member of Phi Alpha:

Social work students who do not meet the required GPA and coursework may be admitted as “Pledges” for one academic term. Pledges will be inducted as full Phi Alpha members only upon meeting the Phi Alpha national and chapter standards. Pledges must adhere to all regulations and laws required by FAU and the national Phi Alpha Society.

Each chapter may select two persons each year for honorary membership. This recognition is available to persons outside the program who have made a significant contribution to the program and/or society. Membership certificates for honorary members are provided by the National Office without cost to local chapters. Membership is also available to all full-time social work faculty.

A faculty member may be granted membership by invitation of the Current Officers and approval of the Chapter membership.

A lifetime membership fee of $45.00 (including $20.00 for National Honor Society Dues, $10.00 for a medallion with the member's name engraved, and $15.00 for Chapter Dues).

Phi Alpha Faculty Advisor
Dr. Jung Jin Choi

New Officers for 2009/2010)

President- Janet Santiago
Vice President- Migdalia Jordan
Community Service Chair- Jason Meisel

Minimum Requirements for Maintaining Annual Membership:

1. Attendance at 2 meetings of Phi Alpha (1 each semester)
2. Participation in at least 1 Phi Alpha function per year (e.g., conferences, lectures, fundraising events, induction ceremony)

Affirmative Action Statement:

Membership shall be available to all eligible persons without regard to age, gender, color, race, creed, ethnic or national origin, political or sexual orientation, or special needs.

Feel free to email Phi Alpha at phi_alpha_fau@yahoo.com. We will be more than happy to answer any questions. You may also contact the Phi Alpha Advisor, Dr. Choi at 561-297-3971 or jchoi3@fau.edu.

For more information or to apply, you can print out a copy of the following application or contact any of the officers by email at phi_alpha_fau@yahoo.com

Click here for a printable application
Click here for a copy of the Phi Alpha Constitution (Adobe Acrobat Reader Required).
Click here to print out the Phi Alpha By-laws (Adobe Acrobat Reader Required).

Minutes of Meeting called on February 11, 2009 (Adobe Acrobat Reader Required).