Phi Alpha Theta
History students run a club for any interested majors, minors, and graduate students. The purpose of the organization is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, teaching, publication, the exchange of ideas, and by bringing students, teachers and writers of history together.
Students more advanced in the major or minor may also apply to officially join the Oakland University chapter of the international honor society in history, Phi Alpha Theta. Students are selected for membership on the basis of academic achievement. To apply to become a member, you must submit a membership application. Click here to access the membership application.
Founded in 1921, Phi Alpha Theta now has about 740 chapters in all 50 states, more chapters than any other accredited college honor society. Its mission is to promote the study of history through bringing together students, teachers, and writers of history for intellectual and social exchanges. Membership in Phi Alpha Theta should be listed among other academic honors when applying to graduate or professional schools or when applying for employment.
The National Phi Alpha Theta Society sponsors a variety of benefits for its members. There are biennial conventions for undergraduate, graduate and faculty members, and members at all levels are welcome to present papers. Phi Alpha Theta helps to underwrite the cost of transportation to its national conventions for one delegate from each chapter. The honor society also sponsors special programs at the annual conferences of major historical organizations such as the American Historical Association and the Organization of American Historians. Phi Alpha Theta publishes The Historian, a distinguished historical quarterly in which all members are invited to publish scholarly work.
The national organization also sponsors six annual paper prize awards. The Lynn W. Turner and Founder's Awards are open to undergraduate members. Various other scholarship awards are available for students entering into or already engaged in graduate study in history. Students interested in either the paper prizes or scholarship awards should contact the national society. The booklet "This is Phi Alpha Theta" details benefits available to members.
Undergraduate
- Must have completed 12 credit hours of history at OU
- Must have a 3.3 GPA for OU history courses
- Must have 3.1 overall GPA
Graduate
- Must have completed 12 credit hours toward a master's degree
- Must have a 3.5 GPA
Dr. Liz Shesko
Faculty Adviser
[email protected]
Check out the Oakland University Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta on Facebook, Twitter (@pat_oaklanduni), and Instagram (@pat_oaklanduni).
Department of History
371 Varner Dr.
Rochester, MI 48309-4482
(location map)
(248) 370-3510
fax: (248) 370-3528