Alpha Phi Sigma, National Criminal Justice Honor Society

Alpha Phi Sigma is the nationally recognized honor society for students in the field of criminal justice science (www.alphaphisigma.org ). The society recognizes academic excellence by undergraduate and graduate students of criminal justice as well as students in the juris doctorate field. Want to know more? Check out the Alpha Phi Sigma brochure and the  Omega Alpha bylaws

History

In September, 1941, Dr. Vivian Anderson Leonard was asked by the president of Washington State University if he would accept the directorship of a Police Science Academic Program at Washington State. Dr. Leonard accepted the offer and became responsible for developing a four-year curriculum which would lead to a Bachelor’s Degree in Police Administration.

Upon his arrival at Washington State, Dr. Leonard began to realize how important it was that a Police Science Honorary be established. The purpose of this honorary would be to promote excellence in scholarship and performance. In January, 1942, Dr. Leonard met with seventeen Police Science majors at Washington State and Alpha Phi Sigma was established. Glenn Hill was elected as the first president and appointed a committee to draft the first Constitution and By-laws.

During its initial years Alpha Phi Sigma experienced only limited growth, but on March 24, 1976 in Dallas, Texas, the Executive Board of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences voted unanimously to designate Alpha Phi Sigma as the National Criminal Justice Honor Society. At this time, Alpha Phi Sigma had only fourteen chapters; however, since then, Alpha Phi Sigma has continued to grow and prosper at a very rapid rate and there are now over five hundred and fifty chapters.

Benefits of Alpha Phi Sigma:

  • A feeling of community
  • Interaction with other students who have similar interests
  • Educational, career, and networking opportunities
  • Graduation regalia
  • Lifetime membership (https://alphaphisigma.org/scholarships)

Membership Requirements:

Undergraduate Students:

  • Declared a major, minor, or equivalent in the criminal justice or related field
  • Have completed three full time semesters or its equivalent
  • Attain a minimum GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale in their cumulative and criminal justice classes
  • Complete a minimum of four courses in the criminal justice field

Graduate Students:

  • Enrolled in a graduate program in criminal justice or related field
  • Have completed four courses
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale
  • Three of the four courses, can be counted from undergraduate work if you attained a 3.4 GPA or higher in those classes

Application Process:

  • Applications MUST be typed. Applications which are handwritten will be returned. All fields must be completed, unless listed as “optional”
  • Membership application form
  • Provide a one-time $85 membership fee ($95 for online-only students)
  • Payment MUST be in form of a money order or cashier’s check – no other forms of payment are accepted by the national office
  • Make payment payable to the Alpha Phi Sigma National Headquarters
  • Provide a one-time $25 Omega Alpha chapter fee
  • Payment for chapter dues is cash only
  • Receive an exclusive Alpha Phi Sigma (Omega Alpha chapter) t-shirt with your chapter payment!
  • Completed applications must be submitted to the chapter advisor for verification and signature. Return application and payment to Austin 313, to the attention of Dr. Michaela Flippin.

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