Membership

Membership is a lifetime honor open to graduates and undergraduates who have registered for major or minor standing in psychology or for a program psychological in nature, demonstrate high standards of personal behavior, and meet the minimum requirements. Eligible applicants are elected to membership by the chapter.

Qualifications

Graduate Students:

• Minimum overall cumulative average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all graduate courses

Undergraduate Students:

• Completion of 3 semesters or 5 quarters of college courses

• Completion of 9 semester hours or 14 quarter hours of psychology courses

• Ranking in the top 35% (3.34 as of Spring 2009) of their class in general scholarship.

• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in both psychology classes and in cumulative grades.

Grade requirements increase with standing.

All Students:

Participation in Psi Chi events and overall involvement are also considered by the officers and will effect being accepted as a member. Participation is what sets a Psi Chi member apart from other applicants who are psychology majors with good grades.

Benefits of Membership

Membership: All members must pay a onetime fee of $40 to the national organization and $5 to the chapter. You are granted a lifetime membership with the promise of never having to pay any dues.

National recognition: Psi Chi provides national recognition for academic excellence in psychology, an honor that can be noted on employment applications, vitae, and résumés.

Documentation: Members receive a membership card, certificate, and lapel pin. These are given at the induction ceremony.

Research: Psi Chi fosters research by making $225,000 available annually to students, faculty advisors, and chapters in awards and grants. There are currently 7 available graduate awards and 10 undergraduate awards.

Psi Chi also provides a platform to promote and to be recognized for research. Selected students will have the opportunity to present research at regional and national psychological association meetings. Students may also be published in the Psi Chi Journal of Undergraduate Research, which is a national, fully reviewed, quarterly journal.

Relationships: Students involved in activities will have the opportunity to connect with peers who share similar interests, create relationships with leaders in their field, and network with cohorts. They may also develop stronger relationships with their professors who can involve them in research projects and write meaningful letters of recommendation.

Something to Wear Down the Aisle: Why be bare? Psi Chi offers ropes and other graduation adornments.

Federal Service: The United States government recognizes membership in Psi Chi as meeting one of the requirements for entrance at the GS-7 level in numerous professional and technical occupations in federal service.

More than a Resume Builder: It builds you. This is a way to become involved and to learn about educational and career prospects. Experiences through Psi Chi are a valuable way to develop your perspective on the study of psychology and determine your direction.

How to Apply

Applicants need to fill out the membership application for Psi Chi (download pdf here). Application materials are also available in the Psi Chi box in the mailroom or hallway bulletin board of the psychology department (CAS 3rd floor).

When completed place them in the Psi Chi mailbox or mail to:

Psi Chi
Department of Psychology
290 E. Buchtel Ave.
Akron, OH 44325-4301

Applicants will be notified of their status, and given information about induction. Inductions are held once a year in mid-April (applications due at least 3 weeks prior).

All members must pay a onetime fee of $45 to the national organization and $5 to the chapter.

Secretary
Nicole Kramer (nmk17@uakron.edu)