Membership
Benefits of Membership
Membership in an honor society is a
worthy distinction in itself, and as a measure of academic achievement can
provide tangible advantage in a competitive world. All PSA
members receive a certificate
of membership and permanent enrollment in the society's membership rolls,
maintained by the national office, which can provide letters verifying membership
to prospective employers or graduate schools.
Because PSA is
a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, the U.S.
Office of Personnel Management allows its members to apply for
federal government positions listed at higher entry-level grade than non-member
candidates. Members are entitled to wear the PSA
key at any time or the medallion
at graduation and on other official occasions.
In addition, PSA gives
students the opportunity for valuable administrative experience as chapter
officers or organizers of chapter activities. The Iota Zeta Chapter at Ohio
University is eligible to compete for Chapter activities grants awarded by
the national office, while its members are eligible to compete for several
prestigious scholarships
and awards.
Qualifications for Membership
The purpose of PSA
is to stimulate scholarship and
interest in the subject of government by providing tangible recognition to
students who have excelled in the field. Membership is possible only through
local chapters. Minimum standards for admission, established by the national
constitution, are:
For juniors and seniors, completion of at least fifteen quarter-hours
or ten semester-hours of work in government, political science, international
relations, or public administration, including at least one course not open
to students in the first two years of collegiate work; and maitenance of an
average grade of B or higher in all political science courses,
For graduate students, completion of at least nine hours of graduate
work in political science, and maitenance of an average grade of B or higher
in all political science courses.