Florida State University 2008-2009 General Bulletin Undergraduate Edition

University Honors Office And Honor Societies

Florida State University has a long history of providing recognition and support for outstanding students, beginning with a directive from a faculty committee in 1932. The program's purpose, as described in a report to the President and the Faculty Senate, was "to provide enlarged opportunities for... students; to give them a challenge and an incentive; to develop initiative, resourcefulness and self-reliance; to present knowledge in terms of fields, not courses." (Report on Honors Work, FSU Archives, 12/21/32)

Over the years, the scope and focus of honors work at Florida State University has evolved to address the changing needs of those students who demonstrate high academic achievement. The information below provides an overview of the opportunities available to students who choose to participate in the University Honors Program.

University Honors Office

Director: Helen M. Burke; Associate Director: Danyele Martin; Assistant Directors: Jeanette Adams Dümmer, Margaret R. Allen

The University Honors Office supports the University's long tradition of academic excellence by offering two programs, the University Honors Program and the Honors in the Major Program, that highlight the institution's strengths in teaching, research, and community service. Please visit http://honors.fsu.edu for more information.

University Honors Program

The University Honors Program is designed for students who are entering full-time college studies for the first time. The program is intended to help the University's most talented students develop into excellent scholars, leaders in their communities, and innovators in their professions. To do this, the program encourages students to take advantage of the special opportunities available at Florida State University because of its status as a major research university and its role in the community. Students who pursue honors credit through courses and honors-level project work that focuses on research, creative activity, or community service may earn the Honors Medallion. A student receives the medallion when she or he accumulates eighteen (18) semester hours in honors courses and approved honors project activities (some non-credit activities may be substituted with the approval of the Director of the University Honors Office). The medallion may be worn during the University's commencement exercises. In addition, this achievement is noted on the student's transcript.

Honors Courses. Honors courses, with their small class sizes, allow students to build relationships with faculty members who can become mentors and research advisers. Honors courses are divided into two categories, honors sections of regular courses and honors seminars. Honors sections of regular courses fulfill liberal studies or University requirements, as do all honors seminars. Honors sections of regular courses are usually limited to 25 students each. Honors seminars are three (3) semester hour special topics courses that count toward graduation and fulfill liberal studies and Gordon Rule requirements in the humanities (HUM 2937r), natural sciences (ISC 2937r), or social sciences (ISS 2937r). Seminars are typically limited to 15 honors students.

University Honors Colloquium. The University Honors Colloquium is required for honors students during their first Fall semester at Florida State University. This one (1) semester hour weekly forum features lectures by distinguished University faculty from across the scholarly and creative arts spectrum, as well as informative presentations from directors of academic programs that will be of interest to honors students. The Colloquium provides a common intellectual experience for new honors students and introduces students to the culture and opportunities of a modern research university.

Honors-Augmented Courses. In some cases where regular honors sections of courses cannot be made available, the faculty agrees to offer honors-augmented courses. These are regular courses open to all students in which the professor has agreed to engage in special projects with honors students for honors credit. Honors-augmented courses are arranged in advance by the University Honors Office.

Honors Medallion Requirements. A minimum of nine (9) semester hours of honors course work (including honors sections of regular courses, honors seminars, the honors colloquium, and honors-augmented courses) is required to earn the Honors Medallion. A student may complete the remainder of the eighteen (18) semester hours of honors credit required for the medallion through any combination of further honors course work, honors directed individual study (DIS), honors in the major work (also known as honors thesis), and non-credit project activities (research, creative activity, or community service) approved by the Director of the University Honors Office. To count toward the Honors Medallion requirements, an honors course must be completed with a grade of "C–" or better. Honors-augmented courses will be counted toward the medallion if a grade of "B–" or better is earned and the honors-augmented project is completed satisfactorily. Students using honors thesis hours toward the medallion must earn a "B–" or better.

Honors DIS. A student begins enrolling for an honors DIS by registering for a graded DIS in the appropriate department. Next, the student requests honors credit for the DIS from the Director of the University Honors Office. This request is made using the honors DIS application available from the University Honors Office, or from the University Honors Program Online Organization Blackboard, which is part of the University's online learning Web site, http://campus.fsu.edu. The application must be submitted to the University Honors Office by the first day of the semester for which the DIS will be registered. The Director of the University Honors Office will decide whether to accept or deny the application for honors credit based on the content of the application. The honors DIS is intended to be a project that meets the following five (5) standards:

  1. The work must demonstrate intellectual initiative;
  2. The work must demonstrate engagement with the scholarship in the subject of the DIS, whether the work of the DIS is research, creative activity, or community service;
  3. The DIS must be graded;
  4. The DIS must be directed by a permanent member of the teaching faculty. An assistant, associate, or full professor would qualify; and
  5. The DIS must involve at least thirty (30) hours of work for each credit hour awarded.

Progress toward the Honors Medallion through Honors in the Major. Students may use credits earned in the Honors in the Major Program toward the Honors Medallion. The Honors in the Major Program is described below.

Progress toward the Honors Medallion through Non-credit Honors Project Activities. The Director of the University Honors Office may allow a student to earn progress toward the Honors Medallion with project work that does not involve registration for formal academic credits. This request is made using the honors non-credit project application available from the University Honors Program Blackboard. The application must be submitted to the University Honors Office by the first day of the semester in which the non-credit project will be done. The Director of the University Honors Office will accept or deny the application for progress toward the Honors Medallion credit based on the content of the application. Progress toward the Honors Medallion can be granted for a non-credit project that meets the following four (4) standards:

  1. The work must demonstrate intellectual initiative;
  2. The work must demonstrate engagement with the scholarship in the subject of the project, whether the work of the project is research, creative activity, or community service;
  3. The project must be directed by a permanent member of the teaching faculty. An assistant, associate, or full professor would qualify; and
  4. The project must involve at least thirty (30) hours of work for each credit hour-equivalent of progress allowed toward the Honors Medallion.

Admission Requirements

Standard Admission. Admission into the University Honors Program is by invitation only. Decisions about admission are based on an evaluation of the entire record that a student has submitted to Florida State University during the general admissions process. There is no separate application form for the Honors Program. Letters of invitation are sent out within two weeks of admission to the university.

Students who receive a letter of invitation generally meet the following minimum criteria:

In their letter of invitation, students will be given a password to access the on-line Acceptance Form and an individualized acceptance deadline. To retain a place in the program, students must complete and submit the Acceptance Form by the deadline date on their invitation letter.

Admission by Petition. Students who are accepted to Florida State University but do not receive a letter of invitation may petition for admission to the Honors Program by submitting a petition portfolio. Successful applicants generally meet at least two of the following three requirements, though meeting these requirements alone does not guarantee admission:

Lateral 3.80 GPA Admission. Any incoming freshman student who was not admitted to the Honors Program through the standard admission process but achieves at least a 3.80 GPA on twelve (12) or more graded hours of course work during their first Fall semester at the University is eligible for admission to the honors program, effective the following Spring.

Note: Students who meet this requirement must contact the University Honors Office no later than the drop-add period during the Spring semester.

Retention

Students must enroll in and pass the University Honors Colloquium during their first Fall semester in the University Honors Program. In addition, students must maintain at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and make progress toward completion of the program.

Honors Housing

The Honors Residence Complex provides an excellent environment for honors students to socialize and study together. Since many students share the same courses, both planned and spontaneous study sessions are common.

Students admitted into the University Honors Program may request housing in Landis Hall, an honors-only residence; however, honors students are not required to live on campus. Students wishing to live in Landis Hall must submit a separate housing application listing this residence as their preference. General residence hall assignment is determined on a first-come, first-served basis; residence hall preference is determined by the order in which housing applications are received by the Office of University Housing. Please refer to the "Housing" chapter of this General Bulletin for additional information concerning Landis Hall.

Acceptance into the University Honors Program does not guarantee University housing in Landis Hall or elsewhere. Students who intend to live on campus are strongly encouraged to submit an application to University Housing as soon as possible after their admission to the University.

Honors in the Major

Many colleges and departments of Florida State University offer the Honors in the Major Program, which is intended to encourage talented juniors and seniors to undertake significant independent and original scholarship as part of the undergraduate experience in a framework similar to that of a thesis-based master's degree program. The goal of the program is the completion and defense of an honors thesis. Completion of the Honors in the Major Program is recognized by the distinction of graduating "with Honors," as designated on the transcript. Honors thesis work is carried out by the student over a period of two or three semesters in collaboration with a thesis director and two or three other faculty members who serve on the student's honors thesis supervisory committee. The Honors thesis project culminates with the thesis defense before the honors thesis committee. Web site: http://honorsinthemajor.fsu.edu.

Eligibility

The University Honors Office requires that prospective students have at least sixty (60) semester hours and at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA. Transfer students must have a 3.20 overall GPA, including all transfer work, and a 3.20 GPA on at least twelve (12) Florida State University semester hours. Students should note that they may choose not to count credits that are five (5) or more years old, as long as the most recent sixty (60) semester hours average 3.20 GPA. Since some departments set higher requirements, students interested in the Honors in the Major Program should also check with their academic major advisers.

The semester before starting the Honors in the Major Program, students must contact the University Honors Office to make a formal application to the program. The application must show that the student has the required grades and credits, a proposed thesis topic, sufficient time prior to graduation to complete the project, a thesis director, and the approval of the chair or director of the academic department or program in which the student is majoring. Detailed information on procedures for initiating and completing the Honors in the Major Program can be found at the program Web site, http://honorsinthemajor.fsu.edu.

Thesis Director and Supervisory Committee

Each student in the program works with a thesis supervisory committee comprising a thesis director and two or three other members. The members of the committee are selected by the student. Most often, the thesis director and members of the supervisory committee are tenured or tenure-track faculty members. However, a non-tenure track faculty member or other permanent member of the University's instructional or research staff can be designated thesis director or a member of the supervisory committee with the approval of the Director of the University Honors Office (a supervisory committee consisting entirely of tenure or tenure-track faculty members does not require Honors Director approval). At least two members of the supervisory committee must be tenured or tenure-track faculty members. At least one member of the supervisory committee must have a home academic department different from that of the thesis director. A "visiting scholar" who is not an employee of Florida State University can be included on the supervisory committee with the approval of the Director of the University Honors Office. Academic departments and programs may elect to have more specific criteria for the thesis director and supervisory committee.

The duties of the thesis director include:

The duties of the other members of the supervisory committee include:

Completion of the Honors Thesis

Typically, each student in the program works on the thesis project for two (2) or three (3) semesters. During each of these semesters, the student must enroll using the appropriate academic department's course for honors thesis credit for one (1) to three (3) semester hours. Students must earn a total of six (6) to nine (9) honors thesis credits and must receive at least a "B–" in each of these courses. A student who does not have six (6) credit hours of work graded "B–" or better will not be eligible for program completion and graduating with Honors. Students must also maintain at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA until graduation. Several departments have additional requirements; students should contact the academic department in which the thesis work will be based for further information.

A prospectus is due to the University Honors Office during the semester before the thesis is completed. This brief paper states the nature of the honors thesis, its scope, and its methodology. The prospectus must be approved by all members of the supervisory committee.

The student defends the finished honors thesis in a meeting with the supervisory committee. Following a successful defense, the student must submit the required defense forms (available from the Honors in the Major Blackboard organization site) and one electronic copy of the completed thesis to the University Honors Office no later than the Friday before finals week of the defense semester. Further details and specific deadlines are available from the University Honors Office or at the Honors in the Major Blackboard organization site at http://campus.fsu.edu.

University-Recognized Honor Societies

Through the University Honors Program, Honors in the Major Program, and honor societies, the University encourages excellence in all of its students. Florida State University is the home of the first Phi Beta Kappa chapter in the state of Florida. On Honors Night, a ceremony that was first held on May 4, 1936, the University salutes students who have received institution-wide recognition for academic achievement.

Honors societies that are formally recognized by Florida State University have met the standards as set by the Undergraduate Policy Committee. Some organizations are university-wide and some are specific to individual disciplines. These societies recognize students who have excelled academically and in some cases provide opportunities for service to Florida State University and the community.

Standards for the Recognition of University-wide Honor Societies

General Standards for Recognition

  1. A society may be recognized as a Scholastic Honor Society or as a Leadership/Scholastic Honor Society.
  2. The society must be approved for recognition by a body to be appointed by the University President or his/her designee.
  3. The society must demonstrate membership participation in governance and control at both the national (if a national organization) and chapter levels.
  4. Full financial disclosure is required at both the national (if applicable) and chapter levels.
  5. Only the institutional chapter may extend invitations to individuals for membership.
  6. To be considered University-wide, a society must receive into membership persons from a broad range of academic disciplines.

Standards for Membership Eligibility

  1. Membership shall be conferred on the basis of character and specified scholastic, leadership, and service eligibility.
  2. Eligibility criteria here specified are minimum ones; societies may have higher standards.

Scholastic Honor Societies

Eligibility is primarily based upon scholarship.

  1. Upper-division/Graduate Societies.
    1. Must be in the top twenty percent (20%) of their class scholastically;
    2. Undergraduates must have earned at least sixty (60) semester hours, with at least twenty-four (24) graded semester hours at this institution; and
    3. Graduate and professional students must have earned at least twenty-four (24) graded semester hours at this institution.
  2. Lower-division Societies
    1. Must be in the top twenty percent (20%) of their class scholastically;
    2. Must have earned at least twelve (12) graded semester hours at this institution.

Leadership/Scholastic Honor Societies

Eligibility is based upon scholarship, leadership, and service to campus and the community. There is no distinction made by class.

  1. Minimum overall 3.0 GPA, with at least twelve (12) graded semester hours at this institution; and,
  2. Leadership and service to be determined by the society.

University-wide honor societies officially recognized by Florida State University are listed below, and can also be found at the Honors program Web site. The discipline-specific societies listed next are under the jurisdiction of the appropriate college, or department. For complete details of activities and membership requirements, contact the individual organizations.

Scholastic Societies

Phi Beta Kappa is a scholastic honor society for those in the liberal arts and sciences. The society was formed in 1776. The Florida State University chapter, chartered in 1934 and established in 1935, was the first in Florida. The chapter's activities include recognition of outstanding juniors and graduating seniors and sponsorship of visiting speakers of University-wide interest. New members are automatically invited each fall and spring based on major, grades (minimum 3.9 GPA for juniors and 3.6 GPA for seniors), language study, and other criteria.

Phi Kappa Phi recognizes academic excellence among undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty in all disciplines. The society was founded in 1897; the University chapter was chartered in 1925. The chapter recognizes outstanding student scholars and artists and recommends them for national awards. New members are automatically invited each spring. Second-term juniors must rank in the upper seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of their respective colleges. Seniors must be in the upper ten percent (10%) of their respective colleges. Graduate and professional students must rank in the upper ten percent (10%) of their respective college. All students must have at least twenty-four (24) earned semester hours at Florida State University. For information, call (850) 644-2451/644-0387 or e-mail lmahler@admin.fsu.edu.

Founded in 1977, Golden Key International Honour Society honors undergraduate and graduate academic achievements. The Florida State University chapter was chartered in 1984. The University chapter presents a yearly Outstanding Scholar Award and regularly sponsors projects in local schools and within the community. The chapter has been named Florida State University Campus Organization of the Year and has been recognized for excellence by the national organization. Every fall, the chapter automatically invites those students with at least sixty (60) semester hours (twenty-five [25] of which must be at Florida State University) and in the top fifteen percent (15%) of the junior, senior, or graduate class.

Phi Eta Sigma is a national honor society whose goal is to encourage and reward academic excellence among first year students in institutions of higher learning. The oldest and largest freshman honor society, Phi Eta Sigma was founded in 1923 and now has over 350 chapters throughout the United States with over 900,000 members. Established at FSU in 1955, our undergraduate and graduate members may apply for national scholarships of $1,000-$10,000. Full-time students who have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.5 at the end of any curricular period during their first year in college are eligible for lifetime membership, which is conferred upon induction. The Florida State University chapter participates in various optional activities, which have included leadership workshops, community service activities, and peer advising. Selected members represent FSU at the bi-annual national conference. For information, call (850) 644-7424 or e-mail PhiEtaSigma@admin.fsu.edu.

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars is an honors organization that recognizes outstanding academic achievement among first and second year college students and encourages members to develop leadership skills through community service. The society was founded in 1994 at The George Washington University, and the Florida State University chapter was formed in 1995. The society offers scholarships, awards, service opportunities, and leadership programs. Every fall the chapter invites to membership those students who rank in the 20th percentile with a minimum GPA of 3.4. For information call (850) 644–0639 or e-mail bmoeller@admin.fsu.edu.

Leadership/Scholastic Societies

The W.E.B. Du Bois Honor Society, organized in 1991, is named for the black scholar, editor, and author of The Souls of Black Folk, who set high standards for educating African-Americans in the late 19th and 20th centuries. The purpose of the Du Bois Society is to recognize academic excellence among African-American students and to support, guide, and encourage their involvement in other leadership and honorary organizations at Florida State University. The grades of all full-time African-American undergraduate students will be automatically reviewed for eligibility each fall. If eligible, students will be invited to join the society. To qualify, candidates must have achieved a 3.3 cumulative GPA at Florida State University and must have earned at least thirty (30) semester hours at this University. Transfer students and seniors will be considered for eligibility on an individual basis. For more information, contact the Undergraduate Studies Dean's Office, A3300 University Center, Tallahassee, FL 32306-2460 or call (850) 644-2740 or e-mail dubois_hs@yahoo.com

Omicron Delta Kappa is the national leadership honor society for faculty and students. The society was founded in 1914 and came to Florida State University in 1950. The society recognizes achievement in scholarship; athletics; social, service, and religious activities; campus government; journalism, speech, and mass media; and creative and performing arts. Annual activities include a homecoming awards breakfast or banquet honoring outstanding Florida State University alumni and participation in Leadership Awards Night and in the 7:50 A.M. Breakfast Club, where faculty, staff and alumni meet with current ODK students to discuss campus issues. The Florida State University circle has been named "Circle of Distinction." Applications are sought twice a year, and members are chosen on the basis of scholarship (upper third [33%] of junior, senior, or graduate class), leadership, and service.

Mortar Board is a national honor society for college seniors. The national organization was founded in 1918 and the Florida State University chapter in 1931. Each year Mortar Board sponsors activities to provide service, advance the spirit of scholarship, and facilitate cooperation among honor societies. Every spring, juniors in the upper thirty-five percent (35%) of their class are invited to apply. Members are selected on the basis of scholarship, leadership, and service.

Garnet Key Honor Society of the Panama City campus, founded in 1986, recognizes students primarily for service and scholarship, but also for spirit and leadership. Activities are generally service projects and functions for the Panama City campus. Applicants must have completed twelve (12) semester hours at that campus with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

The Oscar Arias Sanchez Hispanic Honor Society (OASHHS) was formed in the Fall term of 1992 to recognize academic excellence among students of Hispanic heritage and those interested in Hispanic/Latino culture. Membership into the OASHHS shall be granted to those sophomores, juniors, seniors, and transfer students of Hispanic heritage who have attained a 3.3 GPA or above and who have fulfilled the required service projects. The OASHHS is a scholastic/leadership society. To become a member of this organization, contact Undergraduate Studies Dean's Office, A3300 University Center, Tallahassee, FL 32306-2460 or call (850) 644-2740.

Garnet and Gold Key, founded in 1924, is the oldest leadership honorary society on the FSU campus. The society was formed to recognize the spirit of service, leadership, and loyalty. The society's annual activities now include Torch Night, which recognizes the top one hundred incoming freshmen and the conferral of The Ross Oglesby Award, given to one outstanding faculty or staff member who has dedicated ten years of service to the University, its students, and various community service projects. Juniors and seniors are able to apply twice a year for membership. Membership is granted on the basis of outstanding academic achievement and a diversified leadership experience. For more information please visit http://www.garnetandgoldkey.com.

Other Societies

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society of two-year colleges. Florida State University's alumni chapter offers former active members the opportunity to remain affiliated after they transfer. Phi Theta Kappa was founded in 1918; the University has had an alumni chapter since 1982. For more information, go to http://undergrad.fsu.edu/PTK/.

Academic Honor Societies Specific to Certain Disciplines

College of Arts and Sciences

Anthropology students are eligible to join Pi Gamma Mu. See "College of Social Sciences" below.

The Department of Biological Science sponsors Beta Beta Beta, a national honorary and professional fraternity dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biology students and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. Tri-Beta promotes undergraduate research in biology through publishing its undergraduate-only journal, Bios; holding meetings at which undergraduate research papers are presented in the style of graduate meetings; and awarding competitive research stipends to faculty supervisors who support undergraduate research and publication.

The honors organization of the Department of Classics is Eta Sigma Phi, founded in 1924 to promote the study and appreciation of classical languages and literature. The University chapter, organized in 1926, is the oldest active chapter in the United States. The chapter arranges lectures, poetry readings, slide presentations, movies, translation contests in Greek and Latin, and tours. New members are invited twice a year, based on a "B" average in Greek and Latin courses.

The Department of Computer Science sponsors a chapter of Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the honor society for the computing sciences. The society is student-run and works closely with the local student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). Undergraduate computer science majors must have completed sixty-four (64) semester hours of study, including eighteen (18) semester hours in computer science, and have at least a 3.2 GPA overall and within the major. Graduate students in computer science must have been in residence at FSU at least one semester and have completed at least one-half of the number of semester hours of graduate work required for the master's degree with a GPA of at least 3.5. For more information, visit http://upe.acm.org/

The Department of English sponsors a chapter of the Lambda Iota Tau literary honor society. The society is open to majors and minors in English and Modern Languages and Linguistics who have completed sixty (60) semester hours or more with GPAs of 3.0 and higher. The society is student-run, and activities change with student interests. Recent activities have included book sales, forums on applying to graduate and law schools, marathon readings of favorite texts, publication of a literary journal, and an annual poetry and fiction contest for Leon County middle schools. Interested students should submit an initiation paper and fee to the Director of Undergraduate Studies in English.

The Department of History boasts the fourth chapter in the nation (founded in 1926) of Phi Alpha Theta, an honor and professional society dedicated to promoting the study of history. The chapter sponsors speakers, seminars, and publications. Students, who need not be history majors, may apply for membership twice a year. Undergraduates need twelve (12) semester hours in history with a 3.2 GPA and a 3.0 overall GPA. Graduate students need twelve (12) semester hours in history and a 3.5 overall GPA.

The honors society of the Department of Mathematics is Pi Mu Epsilon, founded nationally in 1914 and at Florida State University in 1956. Members are selected by invitation, based on national standards for mathematics credits and GPA, and overall GPA. Both undergraduate and graduate students are admitted. These exemplary students also participate in mathematics competitions and the department's three student organizations, the Florida State Mathematical Society, the Florida State Student Actuarial Society, and the student-led Graduate Student Seminar.

Chi Epsilon Pi is the honor society for outstanding students in the Department of Meteorology. The Florida State University chapter has existed since 1966. In order to be eligible for membership, graduate students must have at least nine (9) semester hours of meteorology coursework while in graduate status, a 3.5 or better GPA in all meteorology coursework, an overall GPA of 3.25 or greater, and at least one year in the Department of Meteorology. Undergraduate students are eligible upon completion of at least seventeen (17) graded semester hours of meteorology coursework at 2000 level or higher, and must have at least a 3.25 GPA in all meteorology coursework, a 3.25 or greater GPA overall from the period starting with the first semester as a junior and ending with the last complete semester, and at least one year in the Department of Meteorology. Other criteria exist for special students. Students are inducted each spring.

The Department of Military Science fosters a chapter of the national organization Scabbard and Blade. The chapter participates in various civic and Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) activities. Invitations are extended once a year based on membership in the Advanced ROTC Program, a "B" average, and standing in the top fifty percent (50%) of ROTC students. Initiation includes a service project.

The Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics has five honor societies, each with a different language of focus:

French. Pi Delta Phi has long been established at Florida State University and inducts major and minor students on the undergraduate and graduate levels. Prospective members must have a 3.0 GPA overall and in French classes, with at least one French class on the 3000 level. The French faculty are all members of the society. Graduate students must have a 3.0 GPA in French as well as an overall GPA of 3.0, and must have completed one semester of graduate work in French.

German. Delta Phi Alpha has had a chapter at the University since 1979. New members may apply once a semester. Minimum requirements include a 3.5 GPA in German and a 3.0 overall GPA, plus three (3) German courses completed or in progress with an "A–" average.

Italian. Gamma Kappa Alpha was organized in 1983; the University chapter followed in 1984. New members are invited each spring. Membership is open to undergraduate Italian majors with a minimum 3.0 GPA overall and 3.5 in Italian.

Slavic (including Russian). Dobro Slovo was founded in 1926; the University has had a chapter since 1972. Each spring, students apply, or are invited, based on two years of study of Slavic languages and related subjects with a "B+" average and an overall "B" average.

Spanish. Sigma Delta Pi is the honor society for students of Spanish and has had a chapter at the University since 1935. Sigma Delta Pi offers students competitive opportunities to study abroad. Undergraduates must have a 3.2 GPA in Spanish and must rank in the top thirty-five percent (35%) of their class. Applicants must complete nine (9) hours of Spanish at or above the 3000-level; at least one course must be in Spanish literature or culture/civilization. Graduate students are also eligible.

Sigma Pi Sigma is the national honor society for majors in the Department of Physics. The organization was founded in 1921, and the University Chapter was organized in 1954. New members are invited once a year, chosen from among physics majors who have at least a "B" average in physics as seniors or advanced juniors.

The Department of Psychology fosters a chapter of Psi Chi, a national honor society founded in 1929. The University chapter, in existence since 1959, has concentrated on activities that help majors with their future plans. Students may apply for membership twice a year. Psychology majors or minors must have completed twelve (12) semester hours of psychology with a minimum 3.2 overall GPA and a 3.2 psychology GPA.

College of Business

Beta Gamma Sigma was founded in 1913 and established at the University in 1962. Both undergraduate and graduate business students are eligible for election.

Beta Alpha Psi is the national scholastic and professional society of the Department of Accounting; the University chapter was established in 1962. The society recognizes outstanding academic achievement in accounting and business, promotes the study of accounting and business, provides opportunities for interaction among members and practicing business professionals, invites speakers from the profession, and undertakes campus and community service activities. Prospective accounting, finance, and management information systems majors, both undergraduate and graduate, who are currently enrolled or have completed at least one accounting course and have met grade point requirements in accounting, and overall, may apply for membership. New members are initiated in the Fall and Spring semesters.

Majors in the Dedman School of Hospitality are eligible for Eta Sigma Delta, the international hospitality honor society. The society was founded in 1978 and came to the University in 1981. The local chapter emphasizes career preparation activities. Students who are hospitality majors in the junior year with a 3.00 overall GPA are invited to apply at the beginning of each semester.

A chapter of Sigma Iota Epsilon, a management fraternity, has been sponsored by the Department of Management since 1969. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for membership, and both must have a 3.2 GPA, among other requirements.

College of Communication

Lambda Pi Eta, a national communication honor society, had its charter year at the college in 1989. The purposes of the society are: 1) to foster and reward outstanding scholastic achievement in communication; 2) to stimulate interest in the field of communication through community outreach and service; 3) to promote and encourage professional development among communication majors; 4) to provide an opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas in the discipline of communication; 5) to establish and maintain closer relationships and mutual understanding between communication faculty and students; and 6) to explore options for graduate education in communication. The criteria for being a member require a student to be a communication or communication disorders major; to have completed at least fifteen (15) semester hours in communication and sixty (60) hours overall; and have a minimum of a 3.5 GPA overall and in the major, with no grades below "C–", no more than one incomplete (I) on a maximum of six (6) semester hours, and no unsatisfactory grades (U). New members are invited at the beginning of each Fall and Spring semester.

College of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Alpha Phi Sigma is a nationally recognized honor society for students in criminology and criminal justice. The society recognizes academic excellence by undergraduates and graduate students.

To become a member, students must have completed one-third of the total hours required for graduation at Florida State University. The student must be recommended by the local chapter adviser or a faculty member. Undergraduates must maintain a 3.0 overall GPA and a 3.2 GPA in their major courses. Students must also rank in the top thirty-five percent (35%) of their class and have completed a minimum of four (4) courses within the criminology and criminal justice curriculum. The society is open to students with a declared criminology and criminal justice major or minor.

College of Education

Kappa Delta Pi has maintained a chapter at the University since 1925. Students are invited twice a year or may apply. Prospective members must have completed twelve (12) semester hours of professional education courses. Undergraduates must hold a "B" average in all college work; induction for graduate students requires a "B+" cumulative average.

Phi Delta Kappa has maintained a chapter at the University since 1953. The group frequently participates in national research projects in education. Students are invited or may apply once a year. Members must have obtained a baccalaureate degree and be admitted to a graduate degree program or have five years successful professional experience.

Rho Phi Lambda is the national honorary fraternity for the recreation, park, and leisure services profession. The original Rho Phi Alpha honorary fraternity was founded at North Carolina State College in 1958. In 1985, the eleven chapters of Sigma Lambda Sigma honorary fraternity (originally founded at Florida State University in the 1960s) were merged with the six original Rho Phi Alpha Chapters to become Rho Phi Lambda. The society now maintains over 30 chapters throughout the United States. Membership is based on outstanding scholarship, leadership in service to the community and to the University, and service to the profession.

College of Engineering

Tau Beta Pi, the College of Engineering's most prestigious honor society, was formed in 1985 as the Engineering Honor Society. It was chartered and installed at the FAMU–FSU College of Engineering on February 29, 1992 as the Florida Eta Chapter of Tau Beta Pi. The Tau Beta Pi Honor Society recognizes outstanding scholarship and exemplary character, with emphasis on community service and upholding the engineering canon of ethics. New members are invited twice a year to join Tau Beta Pi based on academic standards and exemplary character. New members must be in the upper one-fifth of all engineering seniors or upper one-eighth of engineering juniors.

College of Human Sciences

Kappa Omicron Nu was established in 1990 with the consolidation of Kappa Omicron Phi and Omicron Nu. Omicron Nu was established at the University in 1922. The local chapter is Omicron Pi Chapter. Kappa Omicron Nu recognizes and encourages excellence in scholarship, research, and leadership. Undergraduates must have sixty (60) semester hours (at least fifteen [15] of which were completed at Florida State University in a major within the College of Human Sciences) with a minimum 3.3 GPA. Graduate students must have at least twelve (12) semester hours that were completed at Florida State University in a major within the College of Human Sciences with a minimum 3.5 GPA. New members are initiated at least once a year.

The Glenn Society was established in 2004 and named in honor of Hortense Glenn, who served as Dean of the College of Human Sciences from 1958 to 1972. The purpose of this honor society is to recognize students who have exhibited outstanding leadership and service while maintaining a high level of academic achievement. Each year no more than one percent of the student body of the College of Human Sciences is selected for membership. Undergraduate students are required to have completed ninety (90) or more semester hours (at least thirty [30] hours at Florida State University and twenty [20] since declaring a major in the College of Human Sciences), a minimum GPA of 3.3 and evidence of leadership and service. Graduate students at the MS level must have completed at least two (2) semesters of course work as a major in the college, and PhD students are required to have completed at least four (4) semesters in the college. For graduate students, a minimum GPA of 3.8 is required in addition to evidence of leadership and service. New members are inducted once per year.

College of Information

Beta Phi Mu, the Library and Information Studies International Honor Society, was founded in 1948 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In 1957, the Gamma Chapter of Beta Phi Mu was installed at Florida State University to recognize local scholars. Beta Phi Mu headquarters are currently housed in the College of Information at Florida State University. Every year graduating students from member schools and departments of Library and Information Studies who have earned at least a 3.75 GPA and who rank in the top twenty-five (25%) of their graduating class are invited to join Beta Phi Mu.

College of Law

The Order of the Coif was founded in 1902 and came to the University in 1979. New members are invited once a year from the top ten percent (10%) of the graduating class.

College of Music

Pi Kappa Lambda is an honor society dedicated to fostering scholarly interest in the theoretical and historical aspects of music and to the pursuit of eminent achievement in performance, composition, music education, music therapy, and research. Pi Kappa Lambda was founded in 1918 and established the Phi Chapter at the University in 1943. New members are chosen once a year based on scholarly achievement and musicianship. Juniors must be in the top ten percent (10%) of the class; seniors, in the top twenty percent (20%); graduate students must have an "A" in at least two-thirds of their courses.

College of Nursing

Sigma Theta Tau International, the scholastic honor society of nursing, was established in 1922. The University chapter, Beta Pi, was chartered in 1974. The society's vision is to create a global community of nurses who lead by using knowledge, scholarship, and service to improve the health of the world's people. Undergraduate nursing students are eligible for consideration once they have completed one-half of the nursing program and must rank in the upper thirty-five percent (35%) of their class, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Graduate students are eligible for consideration once they have completed one-fourth of the graduate nursing program, provided they have a GPA of 3.5 or better.

College of Social Sciences

Pi Gamma Mu is open to students in anthropology, Asian studies, economics, geography, history, international affairs, political science, public administration, Russian and East European studies, social science, sociology, and urban and regional planning. The University chapter was founded in 1975. Students must have a minimum of twenty (20) semester hours in the above subjects with at least a 3.0 GPA and no social science grade of F, and, except for graduate students, must be in the upper thirty-five percent (35%) of their classes. Prospective members are also expected to have extracurricular activities related to the social sciences.

The Department of Economics hosts the Gamma chapter of the Omicron Delta Epsilon International Honor Society in Economics. Undergraduate requirements for membership are: junior or senior classification; a minimum of twelve (12) semester hours of economics courses completed; a minimum overall GPA of 3.0; and a minimum 3.0 GPA in economics courses. Graduate students must have completed at least one (1) semester of graduate work with at least a 3.0 GPA. Applicants from all majors are welcome.

Gamma Theta Upsilon is the honor society in the Department of Geography. The society was founded in 1931 and came to the University in the mid-1950s. The local chapter organizes lectures and field trips. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible, and invitations go out twice a year. A student must have a 3.0 overall GPA, must have a "B" in geography in at least three (3) courses, and must have completed at least three (3) semesters of college course work.

The honor society of the Department of Political Science is Pi Sigma Alpha. The society was founded in 1920, and a chapter was established at the University in 1954. Undergraduate and graduate students may apply if they have at least twelve (12) semester hours in political science (including public administration) with a 3.2 GPA and a 3.0 overall GPA.

Pi Alpha Alpha is the national honor society for the field of Public Administration. New members are invited semi-annually based on a 3.75 graduate GPA or better and a minimum of twenty-one (21) completed semester hours, both in their degree program.

The honor society for the Department of Sociology is Alpha Kappa Delta. The aim of the University chapter, Alpha, is to stimulate scholarship and maintain a fellowship for students, both at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Requirements for undergraduates include the following: junior or senior classification; a minimum of twelve (12) semester hours of sociology courses completed; a minimum overall GPA of 3.0; and a minimum 3.0 GPA in sociology courses. Graduate students must have completed at least one (1) semester of graduate work with at least a 3.0 GPA.

College of Social Work

The College of Social Work was the national founding chapter of Phi Alpha honor society. Phi Alpha fosters high standards of achievement for students and promotes humanitarian ideals through community service. Applications are taken twice a year. Undergraduates must have an overall GPA of 3.0, with a 3.25 GPA in at least nine (9) semester hours of social work courses. Graduate students must have a 3.5 overall GPA with nine (9) semester hours completed in social work.

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