Skip Navigation

search icon Open Search Field

Benefits and Honors Societies

Honors College Benefits

The Honors College will help you stay grounded and focused on your goals, encouraging you to pursue graduate studies. Scholars with shared interests and a love of learning will be challenged and encouraged to exceed their expectations.

  • An Honors College lapel pin
  • Induction ceremony
  • Individualized advising
  • Eligibility for scholarships and internships
  • Participation in special events, field trips, and social activities
  • Some priority in housing selection
  • Assistance in preparing resumes and/or applications for fellowships and postgraduate study
  • Recognition during Awards Day ceremony
  • Special medallions to be worn with graduation regalia
  • Subsidized honors conference expenses as funding is available

Honors Societies at Shaw University

Membership in academic honors societies at Shaw University recognizes students' academic achievement and exemplifies scholarship, leadership, and character qualities. Students are invited to join these organizations based on express qualifications; membership is not automatic. Any inquiries regarding these organizations should be referred to the faculty advisors listed below.

The Alpha Chi Honor Society is a coeducational academic honor society.  Since 1922 its purpose has been to promote academic excellence and exemplary character among college and university students and to honor those who achieve such distinction.  It is for students whose cumulative grade point average is 3.25 and above and who have earned at least 60 credit hours.  Shaw University is the NC Eta Chapter.

Website: http://www.harding.edu/alphachi/
Contacts: Dr.  Lillian Cummings, Faculty Advisor, lillianc@shawu.edu, 919-546-8396
Dr. Patricia Nwosu, Faculty Advisor, pnwosu@shawu.edu, 919-546-8541

The purpose of Alpha Kappa Delta National Sociology Honor Society

is “to investigate humanity for the purpose of service.” It is for sociology majors who demonstrate a serious interest in sociology within an official program of the host institution. Candidates must be at least a junior (third year) by standards of the host institution., must have accumulated an overall GPA of 3.0 (on a four-point scale; must rank in the top 35% of their class in general scholarship; must have maintained the equivalent of a 3.0 GPA in sociology courses taken at the host institution before initiation; and must have completed at least four regular courses in sociology before initiation (exclusive of extension or courses graded pass/fail). Shaw University is the Omega Chapter of North Carolina.

Website: http://www.alpha-kappa-delta.org/index.html
Contact: The chapter is currently inactive; contact the department of social sciences, 919-546-8598.

The purpose of the Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society is

to promote high scholarship, to encourage sincere and zealous endeavors in all fields of knowledge and service, to cultivate a high order of personal living, and to develop an appreciation for scholarship and scholarly effort in others. Candidates must be registered as full-time and in good standing with the institution at which the chapter is located; at least a junior in a degree program, and has completed 50 percent of the requirements for graduation; be ranked in the upper 10 percent of the class, and illustrate good character. It is for students whose cumulative grade point average is 3.50 and above and who have earned at least 60 credit hours at Shaw University or 45 hours if a transfer student. Shaw University is the Alpha Omicron Chapter.

Website: http://www.alphakappamu.org/
Contact: The University’s chapter is currently inactive.

The purpose of the Beta Kappa Chi National Scientific Honor Society

is to encourage the advancement of scientific education through original investigations, the dissemination of scientific knowledge, and the stimulation of high scholarship in the pure and applied sciences. It is for outstanding students in the natural sciences. A chapter functions under the guidance of the area of mathematics and sciences. Undergraduate students are eligible for membership if they rank in the upper fifth of their class, have completed at least 64 semester hours of course work (with at least seventeen (17) semester hours in one of the sciences recognized by BKX ), have a GPA of at least B in the science area and a general college average of at least "B." Membership is based upon academic achievement in the sciences.

Website: http://www.betakappachi.org/
Contact: Dr.  Lillian Cummings, Faculty Advisor, lillianc@shawu.edu, 919-546-8396

The Phi Alpha Honor Society’s 

goal is to provide a closer bond among social work students and promote humanitarian goals and ideals. Phi Alpha fosters high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work. An undergraduate student is eligible for membership after achieving the following national requirements and meeting local chapter requirements, declaring social work as a major, achieving sophomore status, completing eight semester hours of required social work courses, achieving an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and earning a 3.25 GPA in required social work courses. Shaw University is the Pi Upsilon chapter.

Website: http://www.phialpha.org/
Contact: Professor MaNina McNeill, Faculty Advisor, manina.mcneill@shawu.edu, 919-546-8617