Psi Chi - International Honor Society in Psychology

 

About Our Chapter

Psi Chi—the International Honor Society in Psychology—recognizes and promotes excellence in the science and application of psychology. Founded in 1929, Psi Chi connects high-achieving students, faculty, and alumni around scholarship, research, leadership, and service.

Our chapter supports psychology majors and minors across Alva, Enid, Woodward, Ponca City, and online. We host induction ceremonies each fall and spring, sponsor research and service opportunities, and collaborate closely with the NWOSU Psychology Club.

---

History Highlights (Psi Chi, 1929–Present)

• 1929: Charter signed during the Ninth International Congress of Psychology (Yale)

• 1930: Name “Psi Chi” adopted; first national officers elected

• 1965: Officially recognized as an honor society and joined ACHS

• 1996: Eye on Psi Chi magazine launched; undergraduate research journal established

• 2009: Transitioned from National to International Honor Society

• 2013: Journal accepted into PsycINFO

• 2019: 90th anniversary; Prosser Scholarship Fund launched; podcast debuted

• 2024: First NSF grant; program expansions and 95th anniversary

• 2025: 900,000th lifetime member inducted

---

Mission, Purpose, and Inclusion

Mission: Recognizing and promoting excellence in the science and application of psychology.

Purpose: Psi Chi encourages, stimulates, and maintains excellence in scholarship for members—especially in psychology—and advances the science of psychology through research, education, practice, and service.

Diversity & Inclusion: Psi Chi is committed to equity and inclusion across identities and experiences, and to addressing all forms of bias and oppression through research, education, mentorship, and leadership. We value broad participation in psychological science and practice, and we support the mental health and well-being of individuals and communities impacted by discrimination.

---

Who Can Join?

Undergraduate students

• Psychology major or minor (or a program psychological in nature)

• ≥ 3 semesters of full-time college coursework completed

• ≥ 9 credit hours in psychology completed

• Cumulative GPA within the top 35% of your class at NWOSU (minimum 3.0)

• Psychology GPA ≥ 3.0

Undergraduate transfer students

• Must meet the same standards as above; transfer credits may count toward requirements.

• Already a Psi Chi member? You can transfer your membership to NWOSU’s chapter.

Graduate students

• Accepted/enrolled in a psychology or closely related graduate program

• ≥ 9 graduate credits in psychology completed in your current program

• Graduate GPA ≥ 3.0 (and meet any program-specific grade requirements)

Alumni & Faculty

• Alumni who graduated before NWOSU had a Psi Chi chapter and meet current standards may be inducted.

• Faculty with a master’s/doctoral degree in psychology (or closely related field) who teach at NWOSU are eligible.

---

How to Apply at NWOSU

1. Check eligibility using the criteria above.

2. Gather materials: unofficial transcript(s) showing overall and psychology GPAs; major/minor status.

3. Submit your application: Apply via Psi Chi and select “Northwestern Oklahoma State University”.

4. Pay one-time Society fee: $55 (lifetime membership) + $5 (processing fee) = $60

5. Local chapter dues: $30.00 (set annually; supports ceremonies, service, travel, etc.).

6. Chapter review & induction: Applications are reviewed during the semester; eligible candidates are invited to the next induction ceremony (typically Fall [November] and Spring [April]).

Accessibility: If you need an accommodation for the application or induction, contact the Faculty Advisor so we can support you.

---

Important Dates (2025–2026)

• Application windows: Fall: Aug–Oct • Spring: Jan–Mar

• Inductions: Fall: Nov • Spring: April

• Funding cycles: Sept–Nov and Jan–March.

(Exact dates are announced each term on the chapter webpage and email list.)

---

Why Join?

Recognition that matters

• Lifetime international honor society membership, ACHS-certified

• Digital membership certificate; optional embossed certificate

• Graduation regalia (cords/stole) available

• Notation for résumés, CVs, graduate and job applications

Funding and opportunities

• $400,000+ annually in awards, grants, and scholarship (undergrad, graduate, faculty, and chapter)

• Travel grants to present at conventions and conferences

• NICE collaborative research projects; Post-a-Study participant recruitment

Research & publishing

• Submit your work to the Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research (indexed in PsycINFO & EBSCO)

• Write for Eye on Psi Chi magazine and the Psi-Chi-Ology blog

Career & graduate school support

• Career Center with psychology-related jobs and résumé reviews

• Discounts on Psi Chi eBooks (careers/grad school) and partner organizations

• U.S. federal recognition of honor-society membership for GS-7 eligibility in many roles

Leadership & community

• Serve as an officer, chair a project, or join regional committees

• Mentoring, service learning, outreach, and professional networking

• NWOSU-specific programming with faculty and community partners

---

Officer Roles

• President: Leads chapter strategy, meetings, and induction planning

• Vice President: Membership processes, events co-lead

• Secretary: Records, communications, minutes, member updates

• Treasurer: Budget, dues, purchases, SGA coordination

• Service/Events Chair: Service learning, drives, and event logistics

• Graduate Liaison: Coordinates graduate-level opportunities

(Interested in leadership? Let us know when you apply or email the advisor.)

---

Ready to get started?

If you meet the eligibility criteria, submit your application and we’ll be in touch about the next induction. Questions about requirements, dues, or accommodations? Email Professor Phillips and we’ll help you through the process.