Phi Alpha Theta is a professional society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. We seek to bring students, teachers and writers of history together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote and assist historical research and publication by our members in a variety of ways.

Since its inauguration in 1921, Phi Alpha Theta has grown to more than eight hundred thirty-nine chapters in fifty states, more than any other accredited four-year college honor society. The total number of initiates since its inception is more than 350,000.

As part of its commitment to academic excellence, Phi Alpha Theta continues to participate actively, through its Executive Director and President, in the Association of College Honor Societies. Phi Alpha Theta enjoys the distinction of being one of three original departmental honor societies with membership in the ACHS.

In 1996, Phi Alpha Theta received recognition as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions to our Society are now tax-deductible as allowed by law.

We are a professional society whose mission is to promote the study of History through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among Historians. We seek to bring students, teachers and writers of History together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote and assist Historical research and publication by our members in a variety of ways.

President:  James A. Ramage, Northern Kentucky University
Vice President:  Sandra Horvath-Peterson, Georgetown University
Executive Director:  Graydon A. (Jack) Tunstall, University of South Florida
Editor The Historian:  Kees Boterbloem, University of South Florida
Book Review Editor:  Richard F. Spall, Jnr., Ohio Wesleyan University

• Established March 17, 1921 at the University of Arkansas
• Charter Member of Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS)
• 860 chapters and over 350,000 members
• Historian journal published quarterly - circulation: 12,500 members and more than 1,000 libraries
• 2,500 subscribers to The News Letter (published three times annually)
• 9,500 initiates (annual average)
• 35 regional meetings nationwide each spring
• Over 25 scholarships and prizes awarded annually (doctoral and graduate student scholarships, undergraduate student scholarship, paper prizes, book awards, manuscript award, best chapter awards, student history journal awards, world history award, etc.)
• Membership qualifications (undergraduate)*
  At least 3.1 minimum GPA in 12 or more credit hours of history
  At least 3.0 minimum overall GPA
  When class rank is available, should be in upper 35% of class
  Membership open to non-history majors



*Graduate students and faculty members have separate requirements