The University of Tulsa is proud to support chapters of national honor societies that recognize the hard work of our students. Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi recognize all areas of study.
Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest American honorary society, founded at the College of William and Mary in 1776. The University of Tulsa chapter, Beta of Oklahoma, was chartered in 1989. The chapter annually elects to membership students with exceptionally strong records in the liberal arts and sciences. Election to membership in Phi Beta Kappa is one of the highest academic honors and is almost universally regarded as evidence of superior scholarly attainment.
Candidates for membership must be currently in their junior or senior year and have attended The University of Tulsa for a minimum of three semesters of full-time work, and be enrolled in a fourth.
Phi Eta Sigma is the nation’s oldest and largest freshman honor society and is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies. The fraternity has had an active chapter on The University of Tulsa’s campus since 1948. The society’s goal is to encourage and reward academic excellence among first-year students in institutions of higher learning.
The University of Tulsa Phi Eta Sigma chapter has a membership of over 400 students. The chapter is an active and well-recognized student organization. The chapter participates in campus-wide service events, is a recognized student organization, and boasts a successful student mentor program.
Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 as the Lambda Sigma Eta Society at the University of Maine. In 1900, the society added chapters at the Pennsylvania State College (now Pennsylvania State University) and the University of Tennessee and was renamed Phi Kappa Phi. The University of Tulsa chapter, chartered in 1990, is one of over 250 chapters in the United States.
Phi Kappa Phi elects members from all recognized branches of academic endeavor. Members are selected on the basis of high academic achievement and good character. Inductees may include a maximum of 10 percent of the graduate students in the University, 10 percent of all graduating seniors, and no more than 5 percent of the juniors.
TU students can also join honor societies specific to their field of study.