Election to Phi Beta Kappa and Discipline-based National Honor Societies

Luther College is one of the few higher education institutions in the United States with a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a scholastic organization that recognizes students who have achieved distinction in the liberal arts and sciences. In accordance with the regulations of the national governing body of Phi Beta Kappa, members are elected on the basis of broad cultural interests, scholarly achievement, and good character. The specific criteria for eligibility for election to Phi Beta Kappa at Luther include but are not limited to the following: a senior must have at least 94 hours of liberal arts work (of the 128 hours required for graduation) with a high standard of scholastic achievement; candidates must also fulfill the college requirements in mathematics and language.

Many academic departments and majors have their own chapters of national honor societies; their goals and membership requirements are listed below.

Beta Beta Beta recognizes students for academic excellence and service in the fields of biology and biological research.

Delta Phi Alpha recognizes the scholastic achievement of German majors and minors.

Eta Sigma Phi recognizes scholastic achievement and promotes interest in the history, literature, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. Membership is by invitation of the Classics department to classics, classical studies, and biblical languages majors and minors who have achieved academic excellence.

Lambda Alpha encourages and stimulates scholarship and research in anthropology by recognizing and honoring superior achievement in the discipline among students, faculty, and other persons engaged in the study of anthropology. The Luther College chapter of Lambda Alpha, Delta of Iowa, was chartered in 2000.

Lambda Pi Eta recognizes, fosters, and rewards outstanding scholastic achievement and encourages professional development among communication majors and minors. Membership is by invitation of the communication studies department faculty.

Lambda Theta recognizes scholastic achievement in social work.

Omicron Delta Epsilon recognizes scholastic achievement and honors outstanding achievements in economics. Membership is by invitation of the economics and business department faculty.

Phi Alpha Theta seeks to bring students, teachers, and writers of history together both intellectually and socially through participation in campus, regional, and national activities. Students and professors are elected to membership on the basis of excellence in the study or writing of history.

Pi Delta Phi recognizes scholastic achievement in French language and literatures and promotes knowledge and appreciation for the cultural contributions of the French-speaking world.

Pi Kappa Lambda recognizes and encourages the highest level of musical achievement and academic scholarship. The society is convinced that recognizing and honoring musicians who have enhanced their talents through serious and diligent study will stimulate others to do the same.

Pi Mu Epsilon promotes scholarly activity in mathematics by recognizing achievement and promoting activities outside the classroom. Membership is open to majors or minors who satisfy a tiered GPA requirement in their math course work.

Pi Sigma Alpha recognizes scholastic achievement in political science.

Psi Chi was founded for the purpose of advancing the science of psychology and encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship. Membership is open to psychology majors who have demonstrated superior scholarship in the discipline.

Sigma Delta Pi recognizes the scholastic achievement of Spanish majors and minors.

Sigma Pi Sigma recognizes scholastic achievement in physics and promotes the spirit of endeavor in the field of physics and related sciences. Membership is open to students in the upper third of their class who have completed four semester courses in physics.

Sigma Tau Delta fosters the discipline of English, including creative and critical writing, by promoting social relations among its members, providing opportunities for service, and exhibiting high standards of academic excellence. Members must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in English courses, rank in the top 35 percent of their class, and have completed at least three semesters and six credit hours in English beyond Paideia 111 and 112.