Nearly all colleges and universities, whether traditional institutions or online schools, offer a valuable benefit beyond what you’ll learn in your day-to-day coursework. That benefit is the opportunity to join an honor society related to a particular discipline or field of study. Not all students are eligible, and societies generally extend invitations to students who meet rigorous academic and sometimes leadership standards. That’s why it’s an honor to belong. Beyond recognizing academic excellence, honor societies offer other advantages to members, whether they are studying for a bachelor’s, a master’s, or a doctoral degree. Here are just a few:
- Highlighting your honor society membership on a résumé could open career doors. To a potential employer, it is a mark of academic success.
- Membership in an honor society can augment your education. Many societies publish journals and other periodicals that can provide added insight into your chosen field.
- Many honor societies hold local, regional, and even national meetings where information is exchanged, and experts are often featured speakers. These meetings are usually open to students and alumni alike.
- Honor society membership also provides career networking opportunities. Not only can you tap in to the experiences of others in the same field, you can also gain insights into related disciplines and discover new career choices and continued education opportunities.
If you are interested in taking online courses and earning an online degree at home, honor society membership is still an option. Walden, an accredited university, is affiliated with a number of national and international honor societies:
- Kappa Delta Pi (The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences): Walden’s Alpha Epsilon Xi Chapter is part of one of the largest and most prestigious education honor societies in the world.
- Upsilon Phi Delta (School of Health Sciences): Open to high-performing students in healthcare management who demonstrate a commitment to the healthcare profession.
- Pi Alpha Alpha (School of Public Policy and Administration): Members can network with fellow students and colleagues studying public affairs and administration.
- Psi Chi (School of Psychology): The international honor society in psychology unites members in a common goal of advancing the science of psychology.
- Sigma Theta Tau (School of Nursing): The Phi Nu chapter was established at the Walden School of Nursing in 2011 and allows members to connect with nurses around the world to share research and best practices.
- Chi Sigma Iota (School of Counseling): The international honor society of professional counseling seeks to promote scholarship, research, and professionalism in counseling.
- Phi Alpha (School of Social Work and Human Services): The Walden chapter seeks to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote humanitarian goals and ideals.
- Tau Upsilon Alpha: This human services honor society is open to students of excellence in Walden’s College of Social and Behavioral Health.
- Golden Key International Honour Society (university-wide): The world’s largest collegiate honor society, Golden Key recognizes highly motivated academic achievers who will become leaders and contributors to society.
Honor societies can be an important part of your college education or your postsecondary education, so be sure to explore the organizations that are in line with your educational and career goals.
Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.