Political Science Honor Society (Pi Sigma Alpha)

Pi Sigma Alpha is the only political science honor society in the United States. It is recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS), with over 740 chapters. Columbia University’s Pi Sigma Alpha Mu Chapter honors exceptional political science students in the oldest department of its kind in the country. It is dedicated to students who excel in their political science coursework at Columbia University and who demonstrate a dedication to public service and scholarship. The Mu Chapter welcomes political science students who intend to continue striving in the field of Political Science in careers in government, public policy, law, research, and academia. 

All potential inductees to the Mu Chapter must meet the following requirements: be a third or fourth year student (Junior or Senior - 62 credits or more); have completed four Political Science courses, or currently be enrolled in a fourth, including two-non introductory-level courses; have maintained an average GPA of at least 3.6 in all Political Science courses; have maintained a grade of B or higher in all courses taken in Political Science; and have a cumulative overall GPA of 3.3 or higher. Transfer credits can be used to satisfy the unit credit requirement, but they will not count toward GPA calculation.

The application to join the honor society is circulated to current majors each semester.