Psi Chi

National Honor Society in Psychology

Rogers State University students pursuing a degree in the Social and Behavioral Science Program or a minor in Psychology have the opportunity to be members of the first baccalaureate honor society established at RSU. The RSU chapter of Psi Chi was founded to bring students of psychology together in a forum that benefits the student, the institute, and the community. Psi Chi is a national organization that promotes excellence and service in the field of psychology.

What is Psi Chi?

Psi Chi is the National Honor Society in Psychology, founded in 1929 for the purposes of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology. Membership is open to graduate and undergraduate men and women who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests, and who meet the minimum qualifications. Psi Chi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies and is an affiliate of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Psychological Society (APS).

Psi Chi serves two major goals. The first of these is the Society's obligation to provide academic recognition to its inductees by the mere fact of membership. The second goal is the obligation of each of the Society's local chapters to nurture the spark of that accomplishment by offering a climate congenial to its creative development. For example, the chapters make active attempts to nourish and stimulate professional growth through programs designed to augment and enhance the regular curriculum and to provide practical experience and fellowship through affiliation with the chapter. In addition, the national organization provides programs to help achieve these goals, including national and regional conventions held annually in conjunction with the psychological associations, research award competitions, and certificate recognition programs. Psi Chi functions as a federation of chapters. located at 1,000 senior colleges and universities in the USA. >

Rogers State University Chapter (#1011)

The RSU chapter reflects the national organization's policies and values, while meeting the needs of our members and the community in which we study and work. While the RSU chapter provides information on topics of interest to all students at RSU, such as seminars on getting into graduate school, Psi Chi is most valuable to the psychology student that is looking to enhance and further their education. The RSU chapter encourages members to submit research for peer review and make presentations at regional and national conventions. As part of our goal to be designated a model chapter each year, members may submit a research paper to one of many Psi Chi- sponsored contests.

Psi Chi also provides a service function to the community. Each year a service project is discussed and action toward improving the quality of life for a segment of the population is implemented. Community outreach, service to those in need, and public education are examples of ways Psi Chi looks to positively impact the lives of our fellow citizens.

Psi Chi is not all work and academics. Fellowship and fraternity built as part of membership in our society provide an important network of future colleagues and references that help with internships and possible employment when the member looks to move from academia into applied psychology.

It is the mission of the Roger State University Chapter of Psi Chi, that while you help build the society, the society will help build you.

Requirements for Membership

• Registration for Major in Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS - Psychology/Sociology major emphasis) or Minor in Psychology
• Completion of 3 semesters or 5 quarters of the college courses
• Completion of 9 semester hours or 14 quarter hours of psychology courses (which includes PSY- and SBS-prefix courses)
• Minimum 3.25 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in psychology classes (which includes PSY- and SBS-prefix courses)
• Ranking in the top 35% of their class (e.g. sophomore, junior, senior) in general scholarship
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in cumulative grades- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in cumulative grades

Links to Major Psychological Organization Websites

• Psi Chi, The National Honor Society in Psychology
• American Psychological Association (APA)
• Southwestern Psychological Association (SWPA)
• Oklahoma Psychological Association (OPA)
• American Psychological Society (APS)