SCampus Student Guidebook

Academic Resources

Honor Societies

Membership in an academic, honor or pre-professional society can help you develop closer ties with faculty and 
students who have similar interests. By increasing your involvement in academic and social activities, these societies provide you with valuable opportunities for learning outside the classroom.

Most departments and schools have an academic organization oriented toward a specific discipline. Members are usually majors in that area of study, but many groups also include non-majors or students with an expressed interest in the group.Honor societies have a selective membership process that usually is based on one or more of the following requirements: area of study, grade point average, university involvement, leadership and community service. If you are interested in any of the societies, you should contact the society’s advisor, or the academic department.

All University

Alpha Lambda Delta

National freshman honor society.

Qualifications

You become eligible for membership by attaining a 3.5 GPA during either the first semester or the first year at USC while maintaining a full course of study (at least 12 units per semester). In your sophomore year, you can serve as active members.

Advisor

Kris Guzman, Assistant to the Director, Office of College Advising, (213) 740-2534, krguzman@usc.edu

Applications

By invitation based on academic record.

Blue Key National Honor Society

A premier national honor society founded in 1924 to recognize and promote the ideals of service, leadership and scholarship.

Qualifications

You are required to have 64 units of college academic course work, 32 of these taken at USC. You must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 and (typically) have at least one year left as an undergraduate when you apply.

Advisor

Melissa Gaeke, Director, USC Volunteer Center, (213) 740-9848, gaeke@usc.edu

Applications

Applications are available every 
February.

Dr. Thomas Kilgore Honor Society

The purpose of the Dr. Thomas Kilgore Honor Society (TKHS) is to promote high scholarship, develop an appreciation for scholarly work and the scholarly endeavor of others, and recognize outstanding academic achievement. An annual ceremony inducts new society members while recognizing freshmen who have achieved a 3.0 GPA or higher during their first semester. In addition, current honor society members exhibit scholarly work as part of an Academic Expo.

Qualifications

Membership is open to undergraduate students who have completed a minimum of 45 units with a cumulative GPA of 3.25. Transfer students are eligible for membership upon the completion of 16 units at USC with a minimum GPA of 3.25. All candidates must exhibit potential for leadership and service in the African American and USC communities. Members must also be in good standing with the university and enrolled in a degree program.

Advisors

Syreeta Aboubaker, Assistant Director, Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs,
(213) 740-8257,
syreetag@usc.edu

Applications

By invitation given in spring.

Gamma Sigma Alpha

Recognizes high academic achievement in the greek community.

Qualifications

You must have an overall 3.5 GPA after completion of your sophomore year (complete the fourth semester with 64 units), or obtain a 3.5 or higher GPA in any semester during your junior or
senior year. You must be a member in good standing of an NPC, NIC, NPHC, MGC, IGC or AGC chapter.

Contact

Beth Saul, Director, Fraternity and Sorority Leadership Development, (213) 740-1195, saul@usc.edu

Golden Key International Honour Society

Recognizes scholastic achievement and excellence in all undergraduate fields 
of study.

Qualifications

You must complete at least 64 units of college academic course work of which at least 32 units have been taken at USC. Your GPA for USC course work must meet the minimum requirement of 3.7, and your cumulative GPA including any transfer work must also be at least 3.7.

Advisors

Peter M. Shugarman, Associate 
Professor of Biological Sciences, 
College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, (213) 740-5791, shugarma@usc.edu
Applications By nomination only.

Latino Honor Society

Recognizes excellence in scholarship and a demonstrated commitment to the betterment of the Latino community.

Qualifications

You must demonstrate leadership and community service involvement, have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA and have completed at least three semesters (full-time) at USC to apply for membership. Open to undergraduates only.

Advisors

William N. Vela, Director, El Centro Chicano, wvela@usc.edu

Applications

By invitation or by submitting a request for the fall or spring semester. Call (213) 740-1480 for more information.

Mortar Board

Senior honorary society that selects students who excel in leadership service and scholarship.

Advisors

Heather Larabee, Assistant Dean/Director, Campus Activities, (213) 740-5693, 
larabee@usc.edu
William McClure, Professor of 
Neurobiology, (213) 740-6090, 
wmcclure@usc.edu
Scott Smith, The Writing Program, (213) 740-1980, scottsmi@usc.edu

Applications

Interest forms are available in early February on the Application Clearinghouse at www.usc.edu/ca.

Order of Omega

National greek leadership honor society.

Qualifications

A minimum overall GPA at or above the all-greek average is required. Only juniors and seniors may apply. Sophomores may apply during their spring semester. You must be a member in good standing of an NPC, NIC, NPHC, MGC, IGC or AGC chapter.

Contact

Ray Carlos, Assistant Director, Fraternity and Sorority Leadership Development, (213) 740-2080, racarlos@usc.edu

Phi Beta Kappa

Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest national honor society, recognizing achievement in the liberal arts and sciences, primarily in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. The society was established in 1776.

Qualifications

Juniors: (1) 76 units at USC, (2) minimum GPA of 3.65 and (3) 64 liberal arts units out of the 76 above.

Seniors: (1) 96 units at USC, (2) minimum GPA of 3.65 and (3) 76 liberal arts units out of the 96 above.

Transfers: (1) 48 units at USC, (2) working toward 58 semester units at USC, (3) taking a minimum of 10 units currently, (4) minimum GPA of 3.65 and (5) 32 liberal arts units out of the 
48 above.

The GPA qualifications listed above are minimum standards and the actual GPA established for election in a given year may be higher. These are determined annually by the board of the USC chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.

Advisor

Cynthia Mata Flores, Student 
Services Advisor, Office of College Advising, (213) 740-2534, cmflores@usc.edu

Applications

By invitation only.

Phi Kappa Phi

Oldest interdisciplinary university academic honor society. Selects members with excellent scholarship and integrity of character.

Qualifications

Seniors with at least 96 units and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.85; juniors with 80 units and a cumulative GPA of 3.9; recipients of master’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.9; and doctoral candidates in the top five percent of all graduate students whose dissertations have been approved for final typing are considered for membership. The GPA requirement may vary depending upon class averages. Undergraduate students must have completed 48 graded units at USC and graduate students must have completed 24 graded units at USC.

Contact

Academic Recognition Programs, 
(213) 740-1143, pkp@usc.edu

Applications

By invitation only.

Phi Sigma Theta

Phi Sigma Theta is a National Honor Society dedicated to recognizing and rewarding academic achievement in undergraduates at institutions of higher learning. PST also encourages its members to participate in community service, to take advantage of leadership opportunities, and to continue to excel scholastically. Our community service focus is mentoring and tutoring.

Qualifications

You must have at least a 3.0 GPA and at least one semester’s worth of grades.

Advisor

Michael Burke, Box Office Manager, Financial and Business Services, (213) 740-4672, burkemj@usc.edu

Applications

Emailed to qualified applicants each year. You can apply by sending an email to membership@phisigmatheta.org for more information.

Residential Student Leader Honorary (RSLH) Chapter of National Residence Hall Honorary

Recognizes the top one percent of outstanding leaders living in university-owned residence halls and apartments who have demonstrated outstanding service in the residential community as well as academic excellence. For more information, go to www-scf.usc.edu/~nrhh.

Qualifications

Members are selected based on their demonstrated leadership, scholarship and service. Membership is limited to one percent of undergraduate and graduate students living in university-owned housing.

Advisor

Viktor T. Kerney, Student Leadership Coordinator, Office for Residential Education, (213) 740-2080

Rho Lambda

National panhellenic recognition honor society.

Qualifications

Minimum GPA of 3.10 cumulative; only juniors and seniors may apply. You must be a member, in good standing, of your sorority for at least two full semesters before you are eligible to apply. Membership is limited to 10 percent of the sorority population.

Contact

Beth Saul, Director, Fraternity and Sorority Leadership Development, (213) 740-1195, saul@usc.edu

Business

Beta Alpha Psi

Beta Alpha Psi is a national scholastic and professional fraternity for financial information professionals. The primary objective of the fraternity is to encourage and give recognition to scholastic and professional excellence in the business information field. This includes promoting the study and practice of accounting, finance and information systems; providing opportunities for self-development and association among members and practicing professionals, and encouraging a sense of ethical, social and public responsibility.

Qualifications

The minimum requirement is that the student be at sophomore standing and enrolled as a full-time student at USC (12 units or more). A minimum grade of B- or higher is required for all accounting work. Students must have a minimum accounting GPA of 3.2 and a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Transfer students must have a minimum cumulative transfer GPA of 3.5, accounting transfer GPA of 3.5 and a USC cumulative GPA of 3.0. Finance and information systems majors must have a minimum major GPA of 3.2 and a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Advisor

Rose Layton, Professor of Clinical Accounting, (213) 740-5022, rlayton@marshall.usc.edu

Applications

Applications are available as of the first full week of each semester, Leventhal School of Accounting B-3B.

Beta Gamma Sigma

National honor society for business students, on campus since 1923.

Qualifications

Juniors in the top seven percent of their class, seniors in the top 10 percent, graduate students in the top 20 percent.

Advisor

Undergraduate and graduate – Sara Bascetta, Marshall School of Business, (213) 740-0673, bascetta@marshall.usc.edu

Applications

By invitation only.

College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Alpha Kappa Delta

Sociology

Qualifications

To qualify, you must complete at least 10 semester hours of upper-division 
sociology with a B or better in each course and be in the upper 35 percent of your university classes. Any graduate student may apply.

Advisor

Michael Messner, Professor of Sociol-ogy, (213) 740-8848, messner@usc.edu

Applications

Applications are available in Kaprielian Hall 352.

Nu Rho Psi

Neuroscience

This honors major allows you to pursue your interests in neuroscience and related fields outside of the classroom.

Qualifications

If you are a major or minor in neuroscience, you are eligible to join Nu Rho Psi. There is no GPA requirement to become a member.

Director

William McClure, Professor of Neurobiology, (213) 740-6090, wmcclure@usc.edu

Advisor

Michael Quick, Professor of 
Biological Sciences, (213) 740-2531, mquick@usc.edu

Applications

Applications are available in HNB 126.

Omicron Delta Epsilon

Economics

Omicron Delta Epsilon (ODE) creates faculty-student interaction in an informal setting by organizing joint student/faculty panel discussions, special lectures where students serve as discussants. Students, under faculty guidance, will submit papers to international conferences for participation and publications. ODE was established by Professor John Commons in the 1800s. Represented on a majority of campuses, it is one of the oldest international economics honor societies. It meets every year during the Allied Social Sciences Annual Meetings, where papers from its annual essay contest are read.

Qualifications

You must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and complete at least 12 upper-division units in economics.

Advisor

Nake Kamrany, Professor/Senior 
Lecturer, Economics, (213) 740-6997, kamrany@usc.edu

Applications

Contact Professor Kamrany, ODE executive committee at (213) 740-6997 or the Department of Economics at (213) 740-8335.

Phi Alpha Theta

History

Qualifications

Undergraduate students must complete at least 12 semester hours in history (four courses). They must also have a GPA of at least 3.33 in history and a GPA of 3.0 or better overall. Membership is not limited to history majors.

Advisor

Azade-Ayse Rorlich, Associate Professor of History, (213) 740-1665, 
arorlich@usc.edu

Applications

Applications are available in Social Sciences Building 153.

Phi Sigma

Biological Sciences

A national honor society for selected biology majors (Alpha Alpha Chapter at USC). Promotes research and academic excellence in the biological sciences.

Qualifications

Students with a GPA above 3.0 who have interest in research and have completed core requirements for the first two years in biological sciences are eligible. Major activities range from presentation of papers by members and lectures by outside speakers to field trips, laboratory demonstrations and joint research projects.

Advisor

Eric A. Webb, Assistant Professor of Marine and Environmental Biology, (213) 740-7965, eawebb@usc.edu

Applications

Contact Dr. Webb in Alan Hancock Foundation (AHF) 331 or obtain applications from AHF 105.

Pi Delta Phi

French

Qualifications

Must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in French and have completed two upper-division French courses with at least one grade of A.

Advisor

Edwin Hill, Assistant Professor, French, (213) 740-3700, edwinhil@usc.edu.

Applications

Available in Taper Hall 155.

Pi Sigma Alpha

Political Science and International 
Relations

Qualifications

Open to graduate and undergraduate students in the above majors who have completed at least three upper division courses in the prospective discipline. Must have at least junior status with a minimum 3.5 overall GPA and a 3.5 GPA in the major.

Advisor

Paul Kovich, Political Science, (213) 740-3621, kovich@usc.edu

Applications

Deadline varies in fall and spring, available in Von KleinSmid Center 327.

Psi Chi

Psychology

Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology, was founded in 1929 for the purpose of encouraging and maintaining excellence in scholarship for members in all fields, particularly in psychology, and advancing the science of psychology. Membership is open to graduate and undergraduate men and women who meet the minimum qualifications of scholarship and make the study of psychology one of their major interests.

Psi Chi also hosts events throughout the academic year that are open to all interested students, including non-members.

Qualifications

(1) Completion of at least three semesters or five quarters of college course work and nine semester hours or 14 quarter hours of psychology; (2) Registration for major or minor standing 
in psychology or for a program psychological in nature which is equivalent to such standings; (3) Undergraduates 
who are elected to Psi Chi must rank 
in the upper 35 percent of their class 
in general scholarship, and, in those 
few instances where the cutoff for the upper 25 percent falls below a 3.0 
GPA, must also have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0. Demonstration of superior scholarship in psychology and earning a minimum GPA of 3.0 in 
psychology courses is required; (4) In addition to the above requirements, undergraduate transfer students must have completed at least one psychology course at USC before applying; (5) Graduate students must have an average grade of B or better in all graduate courses, including psychology.

Applications

For an application to become a Psi Chi member, visit the Psychology Department, Seeley G. Mudd Building 501.

Advisors

David Walsh, Associate Professor of Psychology, (213) 740-2275, dwalsh@usc.edu

Vivian Hsu-Tran, Advisor, (213) 740-6163, vhsu@usc.edu

Sigma Delta Pi

Spanish

To honor those who seek and attain excellence in the study of the Spanish language, literature and culture.

Qualifications

Graduate students must complete 15 units at USC with at least a B average to qualify. Undergraduate students must complete at least three semesters of college level Spanish or the equivalent, take at least one 300-level or above Hispanic literature or civilization and culture course or be currently enrolled in one in which the professor will certify that the work is B quality or better; must maintain a 3.0 average or better in Spanish; and must rank in the upper 35 percent of your class.

Applications

Applications are available in Taper Hall 156.

Sigma Gamma Epsilon

Earth Sciences

National honorary earth sciences fraternity, promoting undergraduate activities in the Department of Earth Sciences.

Qualifications

You may qualify to join Sigma Gamma Epsilon after completing at least two geoscience courses with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Advisor

Frank Corsetti, Associate Professor, Earth Sciences, (213) 740-6123, fcorsett@usc.edu

Applications

Contact the faculty advisor.

Dentistry

Delta Delta Sigma

Functions as a peer group that provides both social and academic support to pre-dental and dental hygiene members. Helps develop and mold students with great experience, communication skills and confidence to enter into the dental health field. Enhances your undergraduate experience.

Qualifications

Membership is open to students who attend 75 percent of general meetings, attend one social event, pay dues, become HIPAA certified and complete one of the following: rotations in the USC School of Dentistry; “Spread the Smile Campaigns” (SSC) or Ayuda clinics.

Advisor

Sandra Bolivar, Assistant Dean, Admissions and Student Affairs, (213) 740-2841, bolivar@usc.edu

Applications

Applications available online at www.deltadeltasigma.com under Resources.

Omicron Kappa Upsilon

Established to promote and recognize scholarship and character and to encourage and develop a spirit of emulation among students of dentistry.

Qualifications

Members are selected from the upper 20 percent of the graduating class, who, in addition to scholarship, have demonstrated exemplary traits of character and potential qualities for future professional growth. Honorary and faculty members can also be nominated.

Advisor

Irene M. Reyna, Administrative Coordinator, (213) 740-7633, irene@usc.edu

Applications

By nomination only.

Education

Phi Delta Kappa

Phi Delta Kappa International, the leading advocate for public education, promotes quality education for all as essential to a democratic way of life by providing innovative programs, relevant research, visionary leadership and dedicated service.

Qualifications

Membership is open to professional educators and other individuals and institutions of good character who are committed to its purpose. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in an accredited education program and apply before student teaching.

Advisor

Melora Sundt, Associate Dean for Academic Programs, (213) 821-2520, sundt@usc.edu

Applications

Application is by nomination from good standing members or by self-nomination. Professional membership is also available. For more information, visit www.pdk-usc.org.

Kappa Delta Pi

Kappa Delta Pi is an international honor society dedicated to scholarship and excellence in education.

The USC Rossier Alpha Gamma Gamma chapter was installed on May 11, 2005. The new chapter has grown from Alpha Delta Theta, a local pre-professional organization supporting teaching in the Rossier School of Education.

Qualifications

Membership in an active institutional chapter of Kappa Delta Pi depends on the following criteria:

• Intent to continue in the field of education
• Leadership attributes
• Undergraduates must have first-term sophomore standing (30 semester hours), a GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 (or its equivalent), and at least 12 semester hours (or its equivalent) in education courses programmed, in progress, or completed.
• Graduate students must have regular admission status in an accredited institution, six or more semester hours (or its equivalent) in that institution, at least 12 semester hours (or its equivalent) of education courses, and a graduate-level GPA of at least 3.25 out of 4.0.

Advisor

Sandra Kaplan, Associate Professor of Clinical Education, Rossier School of Education, skaplan@usc.edu

Applications

Membership in Kappa Delta Pi is by invitation only based on meeting the criteria established by the society and the Rossier School of Education. To be considered for membership, please contact the Alpha Gamma Gamma chapter counselor.

Engineering

Alpha Pi Mu

Industrial Engineering honor society

Qualifications

Criteria for election are: juniors in the upper one-fifth of their class; seniors in the upper one-third of their class; master’s students who have completed at least one-third of the courses required for their degree and rank among the top 10 students in all ISE master’s degree programs; and doctoral students recommended by the department chair.

Advisor

Kurt Palmer, Associate Professor of Engineering Practice, Industrial and Systems Engineering, (213) 740-5960

Applications

New members are only invited to join in the spring semester.

Chi Epsilon

Civil and environmental engineering honor society established in 1924 to promote scholarship, character, practicality and sociability.

Qualifications

To be eligible for membership, an undergraduate must rank scholastically in the upper one-third of his or her class in a curriculum leading to a baccalaureate degree in civil engineering or in a closely related curriculum.

Advisor

Henry M. Koffman, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 
(213) 740-0556, koffman@usc.edu

Applications

By invitation only. For more information, contact the Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Student Affairs Office, Kaprielian Hall 214, or visit uscxe.com.

Eta Kappa Nu

Electrical engineering honor society for students, faculty and practicing engineers in electrical engineering, computer engineering/computer science and biomedical-electrical engineering.

Qualifications

Students demonstrating “marked ability” – evidenced by scholarship, personal character, useful voluntary services and distinguished accomplishments – are elected primarily from the junior and senior classes. Graduate students and distinguished professionals demonstrating similar success in their careers are also eligible.

Advisor

Hossein Hashemi, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering/Electrophysics, 
(213) 740-3596, hosseinhl@usc.edu

Applications

Contact the Electrical Engineering Department at (213) 740-4700, Powell Hall 604.

Omega Chi Epsilon

Chemical Engineering

Qualifications

Top one-fourth of junior class or top one-third of senior class.

Applications

Contact the Department of Chemical Engineering at (213) 740-2225,

Hedco Chemical Engineering 216.

Omega Rho

Operations Research – to recognize academic excellence in operations research and encourage study of operations research, management science and closely associated disciplines.

Qualifications

If you would like to join this honor group, you must be in the top one-third of your class.

Advisor

Maged Dessouky, Professor of 
Industrial and Systems Engineering, 
(213) 740-4891, maged@usc.edu

Applications

By nomination only during the spring semester.

Pi Epsilon Tau

Petroleum engineering, in academia and industry.

Qualifications

As a junior or senior, you must have a 3.3 GPA in petroleum, chemical or mechanical engineering (with petroleum engineering option) for at least one semester at USC. As a graduate student you must have a 3.5 GPA. You must also have exemplary character and 
advisor approval.

Advisor

Dr. Kristian Jessen, HED 311, 
(213) 740-2073, jessen@usc.edu

Applications

Contact Petroleum Engineering at (213) 740-0322, Hedco Chemical Engineering 316.

Pi Tau Sigma

Mechanical Engineering

Qualifications

Open to first-term juniors in the top 25 percent of their class, second-term juniors in the top 33 percent of their class and seniors in the top 35 percent of their class.

Advisor

Paul Ronney, Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, 
(213) 740-0490, ronney@usc.edu

Applications

By invitation only.

Sigma Gamma Tau

Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering

To recognize achievement and excellence in the aerospace field.

The USC chapter is currently inactive.

Advisor

Fred Browand, Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, 
(213) 740-5359, browand@spock.usc.edu

Tau Beta Pi

Tau Beta Pi is a national engineering honor society dedicated to promoting honor, integrity, scholarship and 
exemplary character in the field of 
engineering.

Qualifications

Undergraduate students whose scholarship places them in the top eighth of their class in their next-to-last year or in the top fifth of their class in their last college year are eligible for membership consideration.

Engineering graduate students whose scholarship places them in the top fifth of their graduate class or whose high-quality work is attested to by a faculty member may be elected to membership.

Advisor

Larry G. Redekopp, Professor of 
Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (213) 740-5369, lg.redekopp@usc.edu

Upsilon Pi Epsilon

Computer Science

Qualifications

If you are a junior or senior, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and have completed specific prerequisite courses in order to qualify for membership in Upsilon Pi Epsilon.

Advisor

Michael Crowley, Associate Professor of Engineering Practice (Computer Science), (213) 740-4505, crowley@usc.edu

Applications

Visit the UPE Web site at 
pollux.usc.edu/~upe.

Gerontology

Sigma Phi Omega

National academic honor and professional society in gerontology.

Qualifications

To qualify for membership in Sigma Phi Omega, you must be in your second term of enrollment as an undergraduate or graduate student at USC and major or minor in gerontology. As an undergraduate, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.3; as a graduate student, you must have at least a 3.5 GPA. Faculty, alumni, professional and honorary memberships are also available.

Advisor

Maria Henke, Assistant Dean, 
(213) 740-5156, mhenke@usc.edu

Applications

Contact department

Law

Blackstonians (Pre-law Honor Society)

To recognize academic excellence and educate students about using law and the legal system for the moral improvement of society.

Qualifications

You must complete at least 32 units (with at least 16 units from USC), but not more than 118 units, and have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA.

Advisor

Alison Dundes Renteln, Professor of Political Science, (213) 740-3248, 
arenteln@usc.edu

Applications

Deadlines vary each semester. Applications are available in Von KleinSmid Center 327.

Order of the Coif

A national honorary scholastic society that encourages excellence in legal 
education.

Qualifications

Membership will be extended to a 
graduating law student whose cumulative grade point average ranks in the top 10 percent of all graduating students, provided that he or she has completed at least 75 percent (66 units) of law studies in graded courses.

Advisor

Scott Altman, Vice Dean, Gould 
School of Law, (213) 740-2544, 
saltman@law.usc.edu

Applications

Students are nominated by the law school.

Medicine

Alpha Epsilon Delta (Pre-med)

This honor society aims to provide members with exposure to various aspects of medicine, stimulate an appreciation of the importance of premedical education in the study of medicine and promote cooperation and contacts between medical and premedical students and educators. It binds together students with similar interests through participation in activities of benefit to health organizations, charities and the community.

Qualifications

Members must have a minimum 3.2 GPA and be in their sophomore year or later. Participation, character, personality and attitude are also of importance.

Applications

Deadline is approximately six weeks from the beginning of each semester. Email aed@usc.edu to inquire about membership.

Alpha Omega Alpha

To recognize and perpetuate excellence in the medical profession.

Qualifications

As an undergraduate or graduate student or a faculty member, you may be elected to join this honor society based on your distinguished academic achievement. Integrity, capacity for leadership, compassion and fairness in dealing with colleagues are equally important criteria for membership. To qualify for membership, you must be enrolled in your last two years of medical school.

Advisor

Paul Holtom, (323) 409-6645, 
holtom@usc.edu

Applications

Students are nominated.

Music

Pi Kappa Lambda

National honor society for music students. USC’s Eta chapter was established in 1923 to recognize outstanding musical achievement, academic scholarship and service.

Qualifications

To be considered for membership, juniors must be in the upper 10 percent of their class; seniors must be in the upper 20 percent. Graduating master’s students with a GPA of 3.75 or higher, and doctoral students with a GPA of 3.6 or higher who have completed their qualifying exams, are eligible.

Advisor

Debora Huffman, Associate Dean for Doctoral Programs and Alumni Relations, Thornton School of Music, (213) 740-2774, dhuffman@thornton.usc.edu

Applications

Students are nominated by Pi Kappa Lambda officers and faculty of the Thornton School of Music.

Occupational Therapy

Pi Theta Epsilon

To be invited to join Pi Theta Epsilon, you need to demon­strate academic excellence in occupational therapy as an undergraduate or graduate student, and complete the summer and fall semesters of the first year of the entry-level professional program. Candidates from the top 35 percent of the class who also have at least a 3.2 GPA are invited to apply for membership.

Advisors

Julie McLaughlin Gray, Assistant Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy, (323) 442-2877, jmgray@usc.edu

Jeanne Jackson, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, (323) 442-2833, jmjackso@usc.edu

Applications

By invitation only.

Pharmacy

Phi Lambda Sigma

National pharmacy leadership society devoted to identifying, supporting and recognizing the contributions of pharmacy students to their colleges, classmates, campuses, communities and to their chosen profession.

Qualifications

Students must complete at least one professional year of scholastic work applicable toward a recognized pharmacy degree and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Prospective members are nominated on the basis of their demonstration of dedication, service and leadership in the advancement of pharmacy.

Advisor

Melvin Baron, Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, (323) 442-2686, mbaron@usc.edu

Applications

By invitation only.

Rho Chi

National Academic Honor Society in Pharmacy

Qualifications

Membership requires high attainment in scholarship, character, personality and leadership. To qualify, you must complete three semesters of the professional curriculum, be among the upper 20 percent of your class and be approved by the dean of the School of Pharmacy.

Advisor

Michael Z. Wincor, Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, (323) 442-1455, mwincor@usc.edu

Applications

By nomination only.

Policy, Planning, and 
Development

Pi Alpha Alpha

Pi Alpha Alpha is the National Society for Public Affairs and Administration and is an affiliate of the American Society for Public Administration. Its purposes are to:

• encourage and reward scholarship and accomplishment among students and practitioners of public affairs and administration
• promote the advancement of education and scholarship in the art and science of public affairs and 
administration
• foster integrity and creative performance in the conduct of governmental and related public service operation

Qualifications

Graduate students in the School of Policy, Planning, and Development who have completed at least 16 semester units and have earned 3.5 grade point average are eligible for membership.

Advisor

Cynthia Clayton, Student 
Services Advisor, (213) 740-0525, 
cclayton@usc.edu.

Applications

Inductee dates are March 15 and October 15. Contact Cynthia Clayton (see above) for more information.