Phi Theta Kappa

To be invited to join Phi Theta Kappa, students must:

• Complete a minimum of 12 college-level credits (100- and 200-level courses) at HCC
• Obtain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher in all college-level courses completed
• Be currently enrolled at Howard Community College

Credits completed at other two-year and four-year institutions and transferred to Howard Community College do not count toward meeting the eligibility criteria. Please note that HCC calculates a student's cumulative GPA using all coursework completed at the college. For Phi Theta Kappa eligibility, grades and credits earned in developmental courses (below the 100 level) are not included in the GPA calculation.

Are you a high-achieving student who expects to be invited to join Phi Theta Kappa? If so, become a Friend of PTK and get involved with the chapter today!

Provisional membership is granted to students who expect to meet the eligibility requirements for membership in the upcoming semester. Provisional members can attend meetings and participate in chapter activities. Provisional members cannot serve as chapter officers or vote on official chapter business. For more information about provisional membership, please email PTK@HowardCC.edu.

Invitations to join Phi Theta Kappa are issued to students who meet the eligibility criteria by the fifth week of the fall and spring semesters. Invitations are sent electronically to students' Howard Community College email addresses.

If a student receives an invitation and does not accept membership in the society, the student will continue to receive invitations in future semesters as long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

Students invited to join Phi Theta Kappa must accept membership in the society through the Phi Theta Kappa International website using the link and access code provided in their invitation email. To accept membership, students must pay a one-time membership fee of $90 and complete the online membership registration before the deadline stated in their invitation email.

Induction ceremonies are held annually in the spring and fall to formally celebrate the accomplishments of new members. Participation in the induction ceremony is optional and does not affect a student's membership status in the honor society.

Phi Theta Kappa members meet weekly, with days and times varying by semester. Please email PTK@HowardCC.edu for meeting times. Most meetings focus on planning and executing collaborative projects that aim to benefit the college or community. Other “value-added” meetings throughout the semester provide members with support and information on topics such as finding their ideal transfer institution and where to search for Phi Theta Kappa scholarships.

Phi Theta Kappa membership reflects four hallmarks: Scholarship, Leadership, Fellowship and Service. Throughout the year, members come together to collaborate on an Honors in Action project that positively impacts the community and a College Project that positively impacts HCC. In addition, members serve the community through group volunteer opportunities, develop new skills through interactive leadership development workshops and get to know each other through social activities.

Alpha Alpha Sigma’s student leadership team includes positions such as chapter president, vice president of service, vice president of communication and vice president of records. Students interested in serving as chapter officers are typically invited to complete an application in late spring.

Upon joining Phi Theta Kappa, members are added to the Phi Theta Kappa “course site” on HCC’s learning management system, Canvas. Information about chapter activities, member opportunities and general chapter business is exclusively available on and facilitated through the Canvas site.

To remain in the honor society, graduate with Phi Theta Kappa recognition and receive the Phi Theta Kappa membership notation on their transcript, students must maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA in their college-level courses.

To be listed as a Phi Theta Kappa member in the commencement program, students must be members in good standing when they petition to graduate.

Members of Phi Theta Kappa are invited to wear special membership regalia at commencement. Members may choose any combination of the following items: membership pin, honors cords, honors tassel, key honors stole and key medallion.

Most students choose to wear their membership pin and honors cords. Membership pins are provided to all students when they accept membership. Students are responsible for selecting and purchasing other regalia items at their own expense through the PTK Online Store.