PSI CHI
Why Join Psi Chi - The International Honor Society in Psychology?
(Psi Chi publications, forms, and merchandise; information about conventions, awards, careers, graduate school; tips for preparing research presentations; information for chapter officers and advisors; and lots more.)
KU Psi Chi Members Won National Psi Chi Awards (and you can, too)!
Eligibility for KU Chapter Membership
The Kutztown University Chapter of Psi Chi, the international honorary society in psychology, is open to all students who meet the following KU Chapter qualifications for active student membership:*
- Completion of at least 36 credits for undergraduates, 30 of which were taken at Kutztown University; 15 credits for graduate students.
- Completion of 15 semester hours of Psychology, at least 9 cr. of which were taken at KU.
- Declaration of a major in psychology.
- An overall cumulative GPA and a minimum GPA in psychology of 3.33 for undergraduates; 3.75 for graduate students.
- High standards of personal behavior.
- Two-thirds affirmative vote of those present at a regular meeting of the chapter.
* Psi Beta members should see the advisor, Dr. Laura Koenig, as they qualify for automatic membership in KU Psi Chi, pending payment of the Psi Chi membership fee.
The Kutztown Chapter of Psi Chi sends out emails each October and February to Psychology majors listing the criteria to qualify for membership, along with a membership application. Students who think they qualify then submit the application to the Psi Chi advisor (currently Dr. Laura Koenig). The group holds an initiation ceremony in late March/early April. There is a one-time fee of $60 to join the national honor society and to receive honor cords. (The membership is lifetime, therefore, graduate students who joined Psi Chi at their undergraduate institution typically should not re-apply for Psi Chi if/when invited to join the KU Chapter). Psi Chi members wear their blue and gold honor cords during the university's graduation ceremony. An added benefit of chapter membership is that students can apply to the faculty advisor to have the cost of registration fees to attend professional or student psychology conferences covered or defrayed.
KU Recipients of Past National Psi Chi Awards and Grants
- KU Psi Chi received an award from National Psi Chi for being a "Model Chapter" during 2007-08 and 2008-09. Out of hundreds of Psi Chi chapters, annually only about 30 receive such an award. Congratulations to the officers and advisors!
- Gregory Shelley, Co-advisor to Psi Chi, Psi Chi Conference Grant to support April 2010 Student Research Conference held at KU
- Raquel Akillas, Co-advisor to Psi Chi, Psi Chi Conference Grant to support March 2008 Student Conference held at KU
- Raquel Akillas, Co-advisor to Psi Chi, Psi Chi Conference Grant to support March 2007 Student Conference held at KU
- Jennifer Phillips and Shannon Achey, 1998 Undergraduate Research Grant (worked with Dr. Meehan)
- Angela J. Ruhl, 1997 J.P. Guilford First Place Award Winner (worked with Dr. Meehan)
- Kevin J. Burg, 1996-97 Eastern Regional Research Award (worked with Dr. Bruce Warner who is no longer at KU)
Detailed information and application materials regarding Awards, Research Grants, and Internship Grants can be found at the National Psi Chi website.
