Pi Sigma Alpha

Pi Sigma Alpha (ΠΣΑ or PSA) is an honor society for students and faculty of political science and international relations in the United States.

Pi Sigma Alpha was founded in 1920 at the University of Texas for the purpose of bringing together students and faculty interested in the study of government and politics. Professor C. Perry Patterson was an early leader of the first chapter and served as national president of PSA from 1920 until 1932. The success of the honor society at the University of Texas prompted other institutions to apply for chapters, with the University of Oklahoma and University of Kansas establishing chapters by 1922. In March of that year the society held its first national convention at the University of Oklahoma. Pi Sigma Alpha slowly expanded, adding chapters gradually through the 1920s and 1930s. Its growth was greatly accelerated in the post-World War II era.

Growth in the honor society was gradual throughout the 'twenties and 'thirties and accelerated after the Second World War; today there are over 650 chapters throughout the country. There is at least one college or university with a Pi Sigma Alpha chapter in every state and the District of Columbia and, as of 1995, the U. S. territory of Guam.

The Articles of Incorporation of Pi Sigma Alpha state as one of its purposes "to stimulate scholarship and intelligent interest in political science." The society functions at the national level, sponsoring programs and events of value to the profession and teaching of political science, and at the chapter level. Each chapter is encouraged to provide a framework for enriching the exposure of its members and the wider university community to the study of government and issues of public concern.

Pi Sigma Alpha currently has 679 chapters at colleges and universities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam. Pi Sigma Alpha is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS). Pi Sigma Alpha is organized by chapters. The chapters are located in departments of political science in accredited four-year institutions throughout the country. Each chapter is guided by a faculty member serving as Chapter Advisor, and elected student chapter officers. Individuals chapters are eligible for a grant of up to $2,000 for an academic year. Most schools utilize this grant to fund chapter socials, speakers, or other political science related events or activities. For instance, the Beta Gamma chapter at the University of Florida was awarded a grant of $2,000 in the 2007-2008 academic year to carry out two projects: 1) an Election Guide detailing the 2008 presidential elections and local city commissioner elections; and 2) a trip for 11 members to visit Washington, D.C.

Pi Sigma Alpha's national office is located at 1527 New Hampshire Avenue NW in Washington, D.C.; it shares its headquarters with the American Political Science Association in the historic home of the Harry Augustus Garfield, the son of U.S. President James A. Garfield.

External links

* [http://www.apsanet.org/~psa/ Official website]
* [http://grove.ufl.edu/~pisigma/framed.html Beta Gamma Chapter of PSA at the University of Florida]