College of Arts and Sciences

Anthropology students are eligible to join Pi Gamma Mu, which is based in the College of Social Sciences.

The Department of Biological Sciences sponsors Beta Beta Beta, a national honorary and professional fraternity dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. Tri-Beta promotes undergraduate research in Biology through publishing its undergraduates-only journal, Bios, holding meetings at which undergraduate research papers are presented in the style of graduate meetings, and awarding competitive research stipends to faculty supervisors who support undergraduate research and publication.

The honors organization of the Department of Classical Languages, Literature and Civilization is Eta Sigma Phi, founded in 1924 to promote the study and appreciation of classical languages and literature. The University chapter, organized in 1926, is the oldest active chapter in the United States. The chapter arranges lectures, poetry readings, slide presentations, movies, translation contests in Greek and Latin, and tours. New members are invited twice a year, based on a "B" average in Greek and Latin courses.

The Department of Computer Science sponsors a chapter of Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the honor society for the computing sciences. The society is student-run and works closely with the local student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). Undergraduate majors must have completed sixty-four (64) semester hours of study, including eighteen (18) semester hours in computer science, and have at least a 3.2 GPA overall and within the major. Graduate students in computer science must have completed twelve (12) semester hours of graduate work with a GPA of 3.5 or better.

The Department of English sponsors a chapter of the Lambda Iota Tau literary honor society. The society is open to majors and minors in English and Modern Languages and Linguistics who have completed sixty (60) semester hours or more with GPAs of 3.0 and higher. The society is student-run, and activities change with student interests. Recent activities have included book sales, forums on applying to graduate and law schools, marathon readings of favorite texts, and an annual poetry contest for Leon County middle schools. Interested students should submit an initiation paper and fee to the Director of Undergraduate Studies in English.

The Department of History boasts the fourth chapter in the nation (founded in 1926) of Phi Alpha Theta, an honor and professional society dedicated to promoting the study of history. The chapter sponsors speakers, seminars, and publications. Students, who need not be history majors, may apply for membership twice a year. Undergraduates need twelve (12) semester hours in history with a 3.2 GPA and a 3.0 overall GPA. Graduate students need twelve (12) semester hours in history and a 3.5 overall GPA.

The honor society of the Department of Mathematics is Pi Mu Epsilon, founded nationally in 1914 and at The Florida State University in 1956. Members are selected by invitation, based on national standards for mathematics credits and GPA, and overall GPA. Both undergraduate and graduate students are admitted. These exemplary students also participate in mathematics competitions and the department's three student organizations, The Florida State Mathematical Society, The Florida State Student Actuarial Society, and the student-led Graduate Student Seminar.

Chi Epsilon Pi is the honor society for outstanding students in the Department of Meteorology. The Florida State University chapter has existed since 1966. In order to be eligible for membership, graduate students must have nine (9) (thesis plan) or fifteen (15) (nonthesis plan) semester hours earned through the Department of Meteorology. The graduate student must also have a 3.5 or better GPA for meteorology courses and an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher. Undergraduate students are eligible upon completion of seventeen (17) meteorology semester hours if their GPA in meteorology courses is 3.25 or higher. Other criteria exist for junior level and special students. Students are inducted each spring.

The Department of Military Science fosters a chapter of the national organization Scabbard and Blade. The chapter participates in various civic and Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) activities. Invitations are extended once a year based on membership in the Advanced ROTC Program, a "B" average, and standing in the top fifty percent (50%) of ROTC students. Initiation includes a service project.

The Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics has six honor societies, each with a different language of focus:

French. Pi Delta Phi has long been established at The Florida State University and inducts major and minor students on the undergraduate and graduate levels. Prospective members must have an overall GPA of 2.8 and 3.0 in French classes, with at least one French class on the 3000 level. The French faculty are all members of the society. Graduate students must have a 3.0 GPA in French as well as an overall GPA of 3.0, and must have completed one semester of graduate work in French.

German. Delta Phi Alpha has had a chapter at the University since 1979. New members may apply once a semester. Minimum requirements include a 3.5 GPA in German and a 3.0 overall GPA, plus three (3) German courses completed or in progress with "A–" average.

Italian. Gamma Kappa Alpha was organized in 1983; the University chapter followed in 1984. The chapter sponsors a weekly Italian Table for students. New members are invited each spring. Membership is open to undergraduate Italian majors with a minimum 3.0 GPA overall and 3.5 in Italian.

Slavic (including Russian). Dobro Slovo was founded in 1926; the University has had a chapter since 1972. The chapter sponsors a high school language competition, lectures, and movies. Each spring, students apply, or are invited, based on two years of study of Slavic languages and related subjects with a "B+" average and an overall "B" average.

Spanish. Sigma Delta Pi is the honor society for students of Spanish, and has had a chapter at the University since 1935. Sigma Delta Pi offers students competitive opportunities to study abroad. Students are initiated once a year. Undergraduates must have a 3.2 GPA in Spanish and must rank in the top thirty-five percent (35%) of their class. Graduate students are also eligible.

Phi Sigma Iota, the International Foreign Language Honor Society, is the highest academic honor in the field of foreign languages, literature and cultures, including classics, linguistics, philology, comparative literature, and bilingual education. Membership is awarded to junior and senior undergraduates with at least a 3.0 overall GPA and at least one 3000-level language course. Graduate students must have completed at least one (1) semester of graduate work and must have attained at least a "B+" average in all courses taken.

Sigma Pi Sigma is the national honor society in the Department of Physics. The organization was founded in 1921 and came to the University in 1954. New members are invited once a year, chosen from among physics majors who have at least a "B" average in physics as seniors or advanced juniors.

The Department of Psychology fosters a chapter of Psi Chi, a national honor society founded in 1929. The University chapter, in existence since 1959, has concentrated on activities that help majors with their future plans. Students may apply for membership twice a year. Psychology majors or minors must have completed nine (9) semester hours of psychology with a minimum 3.2 overall GPA and 3.0 psychology GPA.