Phi Beta Kappa
Zeta Chapter

Phi Beta Kappa Elections

Eligibility

Students have two occasions to be considered for election to Phi Beta Kappa: at the beginning of the spring semester of the junior year, considering five semesters of grades or at the beginning of the spring semester of the senior year, considering seven semesters of grades. Transfer students must have completed four semesters at SMCM before they are eligible for consideration.

Members-in-Course are elected primarily on the basis of three elements: 1) broad cultural interests, 2) scholarly achievement [which must include study of a foreign language through one semester at the intermediate (200) level or demonstrated proficiency equivalent], and 3) good character.

Seniors may be considered for nomination to Phi Beta Kappa under the following conditions:

• The student has completed at least 48 credit hours of work in residence at St. Mary's College of Maryland and be registered to complete additional hours to total at least 64 semester hours.
• The student has a grade point average of 3.75 or higher.
• The student has demonstrated breadth in coursework by the number and variety of courses taken outside his or her major.

Juniors may be considered for nomination to Phi Beta Kappa under the following conditions:

• The student has completed at least 80 credit hours of work in residence at St. Mary's College of Maryland, accumulated in at least 5 semesters of college enrollment.
• The caliber of the student's work should be of exceptional distinction, including a grade point average of at least 3.90.

Nominations for membership in course shall be made by the Committee on Members-in-Course on the basis of a review of student transcripts; there is no "application" process.

The number of students elected from any class ordinarily would not exceed 10% of the undergraduates expected to receive the liberal bachelor's degree in that class. Thus, it is possible that a student with a 3.75 GPA and adequate progress toward his or her degree may not be elected to membership.

Process

In early January, the Chair of the Committee on Members-in-Course retrieves from the Registrar's office a list of students who meet the eligibility requirements. Committee members gather to review the list and propose elections. Then at the Annual Chapter Meeting in February, faculty and staff members elect 20-25 students, depending on the size of the graduating class. Election is by secret ballot and requires an affirmative vote by three-fourths of the resident members present at the Phi Beta Kappa annual meeting.

Notification

Students elected to Phi Beta Kappa will receive notification by the president of the chapter, who will provide registration instructions and product order forms. Students must complete the online registration form, which is forwarded to national headquarters in Washington, DC, to be considered members of Phi Beta Kappa.

Fees

Newly elected members-in-course must pay a one-time $55 induction fee to the Society and may elect to purchase honor cords to wear at commencement.

Benefits

Phi Beta Kappa members should keep Phi Beta Kappa national headquarters appraised of address changes in order to receive the monthly journal The American Scholar and the newsletter The Key Reporter.