Honor society

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File:1909 Tyee - Honor Societies.jpg

"Honor Societies", illustration from the 1909 Tyee (yearbook of the University of Washington)

In the United States, an honor society is an organization that recognizes individuals who rank above a set standard in various domains such as academics, leadership, and other personal achievements, not all of which are based on ranking systems. These societies acknowledge excellence among peers in diverse fields and circumstances. The Order of the Arrow, for example, is the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America. While the term commonly refers to scholastic honor societies, which primarily acknowledge students who excel academically or as leaders among their peers, it also applies to other types of societies.

History

The origins of honor societies in the United States can be traced back to the establishment of Phi Beta Kappa in 1776 at the College of William and Mary, which began as a debating society and did not initially impose grade point average (GPA) restrictions for membership.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Many honor societies invite students to become members based on the scholastic rank (the top x% of a class) and/or grade point averages, either overall or for classes taken within the discipline for which the honor society provides recognition. In cases where academic achievement would not be an appropriate criterion for membership, other standards are usually required for membership (such as completion of a particular ceremony or training program). Scholastic honor societies commonly add a criterion relating to the student's character. Most honor societies are invitation-only, and membership in an honor society might be considered exclusive, i.e., a member of such an organization cannot join other honor societies representing the same field.

Many honor societies are referred to by their membership or by non-members as fraternities and sororities. Honor societies exist at the high school, collegiate/university, postgraduate, and professional levels, although university honor societies are by far the most prevalent. In the United States, the oldest academic society, Phi Beta Kappa, was founded as a social and literary fraternity in 1776. Other honor societies were established a century later, including Tau Beta Pi for engineering (1885), Sigma Xi for scientific research (1886), and Phi Kappa Phi for all disciplines (1897). Mortar Board was established in 1918 and was the first national honor society for women who were college seniors.

During the era of honor society expansion in the early 20th century, these organizations were generally supportive of cultural changes that challenged racism, classism, and sexism. Like other aspects of academia, honor society integration and diversity grew with the expansion of an increasingly multicultural and co-educational student body. There were some holdouts, but academia in general, and its honor societies as a reflection, were on the vanguard of change. Several Jewish-only organizations merged into (or absorbed) formerly Christian-exclusive societies. Title IX forced most single-sex societies to admit women, though many had already opted to embrace this change.Template:Efn Racial barriers, where they existed, were challenged and retired, with any holdouts subject to significant criticism.<ref name="Inside Higher Ed">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="JAMA">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Yale University">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The presence of these holdovers and the demise of those that exhibited overt racism offer an opportunity for a critical reassessment of the criteria and culture within honor societies.<ref name="NPR">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

While changes sparked from within these societies were prevalent between the massive influx of students after World War II and before and after the adoption of Title IX, additionally, the demand for recognition of racially diverse scholars spurred the 2005 founding of the Bouchet Graduate Honor Society by Yale University and Howard University. Rather than adopting the traditional tapping to identify top students from a given academic class based on merit, a distinct aspect of this society's nomination process is its focus on self-nominations.Template:Efn A Ph.D. or Ph.D. track is required, among other qualifications.<ref name="Yale">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Howard University">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Cornell">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="UCLA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Modern honor societies are increasingly focused on creating supportive environments that promote the academic and personal development of all scholars, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups.<ref name="Mortar Board Diversity">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Tau Beta Pi Diversity">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This evolution reflects a broader movement within academic institutions towards a more equitable and comprehensive recognition of student excellence.<ref name="ACHS Diversity">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Alpha Lambda Delta Diversity">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Psi Chi Diversity">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Regalia

Academic robes and regalia identifying by color the degree, school, and other distinctions, are controlled under rules of the voluntary Intercollegiate Code of Academic Costume. In addition, various colored devices such as stoles, scarves, cords, tassels, and medallions are used to indicate membership in a student's honor society. Of these, cords and mortarboard tassels are most often used to indicate membership. Most institutions allow honor cords, tassels, and/or medallions for honor society members. Stoles are less common, but they are available for a few honor societies. Virtually all, if not all honor societies have chosen such colors and may sell these items of accessory regalia as a service or fundraiser.

Umbrella organizations

The Honor Society Caucus and Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) are two voluntary associations for national collegiate and post-graduate honor societies.<ref name="achshonor">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> ACHS formed in 1925 to establish and maintain desirable standards for honor societies.<ref name="achshonor" /> Later, four prestigious founding members of ACHS established the Honor Society Caucus, expressing that the ACHS had diluted and lost sight of the mission of its founding members.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> While ACHS membership is a certification that the member societies meet these standards, not all legitimate honor societies apply for membership in ACHS.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="achshonor" />

Collegiate honor societies

Notable national and international honor societies based in or at schools include the following.

General and leadership societies

General collegiate societies are open to all academic disciplines, although they may have other affinity requirements. Leadership societies recognize leadership, with a multi-disciplinary scholarship component.

Society	Symbols	Emphasis	Colors	References
Alpha Alpha Alpha	lang}}	General, first-generation college students	Template:Color box Blue and Template:Color box Grey/Silver
Alpha Chi	lang}}	General	Template:Color box Emerald Green and Template:Color box Sapphire blue
Alpha Kappa Mu	lang}}	General	Template:Color box Royal blue and Template:Color box White
Alpha Lambda Delta	lang}}	General, Freshman	Template:Color box Maroon and Template:Color box Gold
Alpha Sigma Lambda	lang}}	General, Non-traditional students	Template:Color box Burgundy and Template:Color box Gold
Alpha Sigma Nu	lang}}	General, scholarship and service at Jesuit institutions of higher education	Template:Color box Maroon Template:Color box Gold
Bouchet Graduate Honor Society		General, Doctoral and Post-Doctoral
Chi Alpha Sigma	lang}}	General, student athletes	Template:Color box Gold and Template:Color box Black
Delta Alpha Pi	lang}}	General, students with disabilities	Template:Color box Royal blue and Template:Color box Gold
Delta Epsilon Sigma	lang}}	General at traditionally Catholic colleges	Template:Color box Black and Template:Color box Gold
Delta Epsilon Tau	lang}}	General, Distance Education Accrediting Commission institutions		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Epsilon Tau Pi	lang}}	General, Eagle Scouts	Template:Color box White, Template:Color box Red, Template:Color box Blue, and Template:Color box Black
Golden Key International Honour Society		General	Template:Color box Navy Blue, Template:Color box Gold, and Template:Color box White
Ku Klux Klan (defunct)		Interfraternity leadership, Juniors	Template:Color box Black
Lambda Sigma	lang}}	Scholarship, leadership, and service	Template:Color box Blue and Template:Color box Gold
Mortar Board		General, Seniors	Template:Color box Gold and Template:Color box Silver
National Residence Hall Honorary		Residence hall leadership and service	Template:Color box Blue and Template:Color box White
National Society of Collegiate Scholars		Leadership, scholarship, and service	Template:Color box Purple and Template:Color box Gold
Omicron Delta Kappa	lang}}	Leadership and scholarship, upperclassmen and graduate students	Template:Color box Sky blue, Template:Color box White, and Template:Color box Black
Order of Omega		General, fraternities and sororities	Template:Color box Ivory and Template:Color box Gold
Phi Beta Kappa	lang}}	Arts and sciences, undergraduate	Template:Color box Pink and Template:Color box Sky blue
Phi Eta Sigma	lang}}	General, freshman	Template:Color box Gold and Template:Color box Black
Phi Kappa Phi	lang}}	General	Template:Color box Blue and Template:Color box Gold
Phi Sigma Pi	lang}}	General	Template:Color box Purple and Template:Color box Gold
Phi Tau Phi	lang}}	General
SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society		General, veterans and active military		<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Scabbard and Blade		General, ROTC. JROTC. and midshipmen	Template:Color box Red, Template:Color box White, and Template:Color box Blue
Sigma Alpha Lambda	lang}}	Leadership and scholarship	Template:Color box Navy, Template:Color box Black, and Template:Color box Gold
Tau Sigma	lang}}	General, transfer students	Template:Color box Burgundy and Template:Color box Gold
Tu–Mas (defunct)		Interfraternity leadership, Juniors	Template:Color box Black

Humanities

These societies are open to Humanities disciplines and may be department-specific.

Society	Symbols	Academic emphasis	Colors	References
Alpha Iota Sigma	lang}}	Interdisciplinary studies		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Alpha Mu Gamma	lang}}	Foreign languages	Template:Color box Gold
Alpha Psi Omega	lang}}	Theatre	Template:Color box Moonlight Blue and Template:Color box Bastard Amber	Template:Efn
Alpha Upsilon Alpha	lang}}	Reading and language arts	Template:Color box Gold and Template:Color box Silver
Chi Tau Epsilon	lang}}	Dance		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Delta Epsilon Chi	lang}}	Divinity
Delta Phi Alpha	lang}}	German	Template:Color box Black, Template:Color box Red, and Template:Color box Gold
Delta Phi Delta	lang}}	Art	Template:Color box Red and Template:Color box Bright blue
Eta Sigma Phi	lang}}	Classics	Template:Color box Purple and Template:Color box Gold
Kappa Kappa Psi	lang}}	Music - band	Template:Color box Blue Template:Color box White
Kappa Pi	lang}}	Art	Template:Color box Purple and Template:Color box Gold
Kappa Tau Alpha	lang}}	Journalism and mass communication	Template:Color box Light blue and Template:Color box Gold
Lambda Iota Tau	lang}}	Literature	Template:Color box Purple and Template:Color box Gold
Lambda Pi Eta	lang}}	Communication	Template:Color box Crimson and Template:Color box Silver
Mu Beta Psi	lang}}	Music	Template:Color box Red and Template:Color box White
Omega Xi Alpha	lang}}	Journalism
Phi Sigma Iota	lang}}	Modern foreign languages and literature, Upperclassmen and Graduate Students	Template:Color box Purple and Template:Color box White
Phi Sigma Tau	lang}}	Philosophy	Template:Color box White and Template:Color box Purple
Pi Delta Phi	lang}}	French	Template:Color box Blue, Template:Color box White, and Template:Color box Red
Pi Kappa Lambda	lang}}	Music	Template:Color box Gold and Template:Color box White
Pi Nu Epsilon	lang}}	Music
Sigma Delta Pi	lang}}	Spanish and Portuguese	Template:Color box Red and Template:Color box Gold
Sigma Tau Delta	lang}}	English	Template:Color box Cardinal and Template:Color box Black
Society for Collegiate Journalists	SCJ	Journalism
Tau Beta Sigma	lang}}	Music - band	Template:Color box White and Template:Color box Blue
Theta Alpha Kappa	lang}}	Religious studies, theology, and philosophy	Template:Color box Red and Template:Color box Gold
Theta Alpha Phi	lang}}	Theatre	Template:Color box Purple and Template:Color box White
Theta Chi Beta	lang}}	Religious studies

Social sciences

These societies are open to social science disciplines and may be department-specific.

Society	Symbols	Academic emphasis	Colors	References
Alpha Iota Delta	lang}}	Decision sciences	Template:Color box Green and Template:Color box Gold
Alpha Kappa Delta	lang}}	Sociology	Template:Color box Teal
Alpha Mu Alpha	lang}}	Marketing	Template:Color box Red	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Alpha Phi Sigma	lang}}	Criminal justice and law	Template:Color box Blue and Template:Color box Gold
Beta Alpha Psi	lang}}	Accounting and finance	Template:Color box Crimson and Template:Color box Black
Beta Gamma Sigma	lang}}	Business programs accredited by AACSB	Template:Color box Royal blue and Template:Color box Gold
Chi Sigma Iota	lang}}	Counseling	Template:Color box White and Template:Color box Blue
Delta Mu Delta	lang}}	Business programs accredited by ACBSP	Template:Color box Purple, Template:Color box Gold, and Template:Color box White
Eta Sigma Delta	lang}}	Hospitality management	Template:Color box Blue and Template:Color box White	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Eta Sigma Gamma	lang}}	Health education	Template:Color box Dark green and Template:Color box Gold
Gamma Theta Upsilon	lang}}	Geography	Template:Color box Brown, Template:Color box Light blue, and Template:Color box Gold
Kappa Delta Pi	lang}}	Education	Template:Color box Purple and Template:Color box Gold
Kappa Omicron Nu	lang}}	Human sciences	Template:Color box Maroon and Template:Color box Gold
Lambda Alpha	lang}}	Anthropology	Template:Color box Red, Template:Color box White, and Template:Color box Black
Lambda Epsilon Chi	lang}}	Paralegal	Template:Color box Royal Purple
Mu Kappa Tau	lang}}	Marketing	Template:Color box Navy blue
Nu Lambda Mu	lang}}	Nonprofit management		<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Shimek, Daila, and Sean Shacklett. "Nu Lambda Mu Template:Webarchive." Journal of Nonprofit Education and Leadership 5, no. 2 (2015): 127. via Gale Academic OneFile (accessed June 15, 2024).</ref>
Omega Rho	lang}}	Operations research and management science	Template:Color box Blue and Template:Color box Red
Omicron Delta Epsilon	lang}}	Economics
The Order of Barristers		Law school
Order of the Coif		Law school graduates	Template:Color box Maroon and Template:Color box Black
Order of the Sword & Shield	lang}}	Homeland security, emergency management, and protective studies	Template:Color box Blue and Template:Color box Gold
Phi Alpha	lang}}	Social work	Template:Color box Royal blue and Template:Color box Light gold
Phi Alpha Theta	lang}}	History	Template:Color box Madonna Red and Template:Color box Madonna Blue
Phi Beta Delta	lang}}	International education	Template:Color box Gold and Template:Color box Red
Phi Delta Phi	lang}}	Law	Template:Color box Garnet and Template:Color box Pearl Blue
Phi Upsilon Omicron	lang}}	Family and consumer science	Template:Color box White, Template:Color box Yellow, and Template:Color box Violet
Pi Alpha Alpha	lang}}	Public administration	Template:Color box Light Blue and Template:Color box Gold
Pi Gamma Mu	lang}}	Social sciences	Template:Color box Royal blue and Template:Color box White
Pi Lambda Theta	lang}}	Education	Template:Color box Gold
Pi Omega Pi	lang}}	Business education	Template:Color box Blue, Template:Color box Silver and Template:Color box Gold
Pi Sigma Alpha	lang}}	Political science	Template:Color box Red and Template:Color box Black
Psi Chi	lang}}	Psychology	Template:Color box Platinum and Template:Color box Dark Blue
Sigma Beta Delta	lang}}	Business, management, and business administration	Template:Color box Hunter green and Template:Color box Gold
Sigma Iota Rho	lang}}	International relations	Template:Color box Black, Template:Color box Blue, and Template:Color box Red
Sigma Nu Tau	lang}}	Entrepreneurship		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Tau Upsilon Alpha	lang}}	Human services		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Upsilon Phi Delta	lang}}	Health administration	Template:Color box Crimson red and Template:Color box Blue

STEM

These societies are open to students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines and may be department-specific. This section also includes all healthcare-related fields, including veterinary science.

Society	Symbols	Academic emphasis	Colors	References
Alpha Epsilon	lang}}	Agricultural food, and biological engineering	Black Template:Color box and Template:Color box Gold
Alpha Epsilon Delta	lang}}	Pre-medical	Template:Color box Red and Template:Color box Violet
Alpha Eta	lang}}	Allied health professions		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Alpha Eta Mu Beta	lang}}	Biomedical engineering	Template:Color box Red and Template:Color box Gold
Alpha Mu	lang}}	Agricultural systems management		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Alpha Nu Sigma	lang}}	Nuclear engineering
Alpha Omega Alpha	lang}}	Medical students and physicians	Template:Color box Green, Template:Color box Gold, and Template:Color box White
Alpha Pi Mu	lang}}	Industrial engineering	Template:Color box Purple and Template:Color box Light Yellow
Alpha Sigma Mu	lang}}	Metallurgy and materials engineering	Template:Color box Silver and Template:Color box Gold
Beta Beta Beta	lang}}	Biology	Template:Color box Blood red and Template:Color box Leaf green
Beta Kappa Chi	lang}}	Natural Science and Mathematics	Template:Color box Golden Yellow and Template:Color box Royal Blue
Beta Phi Mu	lang}}	Library and information science	Template:Color box Purple and Template:Color box White
Beta Sigma Kappa	lang}}	Optometry		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Chi Beta Phi	lang}}	Science and Mathematics	Template:Color box Colonial blue and Template:Color box Crimson
Chi Epsilon	lang}}	Civil engineering	Template:Color box Purple and Template:Color box White
Chi Epsilon Pi	lang}}	Meteorology	Template:Color box Royal blue and Template:Color box Silver
Delta Tau Alpha	lang}}	Agriculture	Template:Color box Green and Template:Color box Harvest gold	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Delta Omega	lang}}	Public health	Template:Color box Black and Template:Color box Gold;   Stole color is Template:Color box Peach
Epsilon Pi Tau	lang}}	Technology	Template:Color box Blue, Template:Color box White, and Template:Color box Gold
Eta Kappa Nu	lang}}	Electrical engineering and computer engineering	Template:Color box Navy blue and Template:Color box Scarlet
Gamma Alpha Rho (inactive)	lang}}	Aeronautical engineering
Gamma Nu Eta	lang}}	Information technology		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Gamma Sigma Delta	lang}}	Agriculture	Template:Color box Sand and Template:Color box Forest Green	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Gamma Sigma Epsilon	lang}}	Chemistry	Template:Color box Royal blue and Template:Color box White
Iota Tau Alpha	lang}}	Athletic training		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Iota Sigma Pi	lang}}	Chemistry and related fields, women	Template:Color box White, Template:Color box Gold, and Template:Color box Cedar green
Lambda Beta	lang}}	Respiratory Care	Template:Color box Blue and Template:Color box Green
Nu Rho Psi	lang}}	Neuroscience	Template:Color box Gold and Template:Color box Black
Omega Chi Epsilon	lang}}	Chemical engineering	Template:Color box Black, Template:Color box White, and Template:Color box Maroon
Omicron Kappa Upsilon	lang}}	Dentistry	Template:Color box Navy blue, Template:Color box Gold, and Template:Color box Lilac
Phi Alpha Epsilon	lang}}	Architectural engineering	Template:Color box Purple and Template:Color box White
Phi Lambda Upsilon	lang}}	Chemistry	Template:Color box Pink Litmus and Template:Color box Blue Litmus
Phi Sigma	lang}}	Biological sciences	Template:Color box Medium Green, Template:Color box White, and Template:Color box Old gold
Phi Tau Sigma	lang}}	Food Science and Technology	Template:Color box Gold and Template:Color box Maroon
Phi Zeta	lang}}	Veterinary medicine	Template:Color box Blue and Template:Color box Yellow
Pi Alpha Xi	lang}}	Horticulture	Template:Color box Nile green and Template:Color box Cerulean blue
Pi Delta	lang}}	Podiatry		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Pi Epsilon	lang}}	Environmental science	Template:Color box Blue and Template:Color box Green
Pi Epsilon Tau	lang}}	Petroleum engineering and related fields	Template:Color box Gold and Template:Color box Black	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Pi Tau Sigma	lang}}	Mechanical engineering	Template:Color box Murrey and Template:Color box Azure
Rho Beta Epsilon	lang}}	Robotics	Template:Color box Crimson, Template:Color box Gold, and Template:Color box Black	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Rho Chi	lang}}	Pharmacy	Template:Color box Purple and Template:Color box White
Sigma Gamma Epsilon	lang}}	Geology and earth science	Template:Color box Gold, Template:Color box Blue, and Template:Color box Silver
Sigma Gamma Tau	lang}}	Aerospace engineering	Template:Color box Red and Template:Color box White
Sigma Lambda Alpha	lang}}	Landscape architecture	Template:Color box Gold and Template:Color box Green
Sigma Lambda Chi	lang}}	Construction management technology	Template:Color box Green and Template:Color box Gold
Sigma Phi Alpha	lang}}	Dental hygiene, women	Template:Color box Deep purple Template:Color box Bright gold
Sigma Phi Omega	lang}}	Gerontology	Template:Color box Blue and Template:Color box Gold	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Sigma Pi Sigma	lang}}	Physics and Astronomy	Template:Color box Forest Green and Template:Color box Ivory
Sigma Sigma Phi	lang}}	Osteopathic medicine and medicine	Template:Color box Crimson and Template:Color box Royal blue
Sigma Theta Tau	lang}}	Nursing	Template:Color box Orchid and Template:Color box Fuchsia
Sigma Xi	lang}}	Research in Science and Engineering	Template:Color box Blue and Template:Color box Gold
Sigma Zeta	lang}}	Natural sciences, Mathematics, and Computer science	Template:Color box Blue and Template:Color box White
Tau Alpha Pi	lang}}	Engineering technology	Template:Color box Green and Template:Color box Gold
Tau Beta Pi	lang}}	Engineering	Template:Color box Seal Brown and Template:Color box White
Tau Sigma Delta	lang}}	Architecture	Template:Color box White and Template:Color box Gold
Upsilon Pi Epsilon	lang}}	Computer science and computer engineering	Template:Color box Green and Template:Color box Gold
Xi Sigma Pi	lang}}	Forestry	Template:Color box Green and Template:Color box Gray

Local collegiate honor societies

Some universities have their own independent, open honor societies, which are not affiliated with any national or international organization. Such organizations typically recognize students who have succeeded academically irrespective of their field of study.

Society	Emphasis	Institution	Colors	References
Activities Honorary Society	Leadership	University of Illinois at Chicago		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Aquinas Honor Society	General, Seniors	University of St. Thomas		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":02">Template:Cite journal</ref>
Aurelian		Yale University		<ref name=":3">Havemeyer, Loomis. (January 1961) Yale's Extracurricular & Social Organizations, 1780-1960. Yale University. p. 2. via ElisScholar. Accessed October 21, 2024.</ref>
Bucket & Dipper	Scholaship, service, and leadership; Juniors	Ohio State University		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Cap and Skull	Service and scholarship, Seniors	Rutgers University
Cannon and Castle	Military	Yale University
Chimes Junior Class Honorary	Scholarship, service, and leadership; Juniors	Ohio State University		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Cincinnatus Honorary Society	General	University of Cincinnati
Dean William Tate Society	Scholarship and activities; Freshmen	University of Georgia		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Florida Blue Key	Leadership	University of Florida
Friar Society	Seniors	University of Texas at Austin		<ref>Friar Society website Template:Webarchive Friar Society Website</ref>
Innocents Society	Seniors	University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Iron Arrow Honor Society	Leadership and scholarship	University of Miami		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Iron Wedge		University of Minnesota		<ref>Minnesota Gopher Yearbook, 1925, p.507. Decades later, the Minnesota Gopher Yearbook of 1959 mentions the "twilight tapping ceremony on the steps of Northrop," and the role of the Iron Wedge in ushering at the President's Reception each year, p.347</ref>Template:Efn
Lion's Paw Senior Society	Seniors	Pennsylvania State University		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Matteo Ricci Society	General, fellowship candidates	Fordham University		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Mirrors Sophomore Honorary	Scholarship, leadership, and service; Juniors	Ohio State University		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Mountain	Seniors	West Virginia University		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Order of the Golden Bear	Honor and service	University of California, Berkeley
Owl and Key	Seniors	University of Utah
Phalanx	Scholarship and activities	Clarkson University		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Phalanx Honor Society	Leadership and service, seniors	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Phi Alpha Epsilon (local)	Scholarship and service	Lebanon Valley College		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Phi Alpha Epsilon at the University of Maryland College Park	Family science, community health, kinesiology, and public health science	University of Maryland, College Park		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Plumb Bob	Leadership	University of Minnesota		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
QEBH	Seniors	University of Missouri
Quill and Dagger	Leadership and service	Cornell University
Raven Society	General	University of Virginia
Raven's Claw Society	Senior males	Dickinson College
Rho Theta Sigma	Scholarship	Northeastern State University		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Romophos (inactive)	Leadership, service, and scholarship; Sophomores	Ohio State University		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Senior Skull Honor Society	Seniors leadership, scholarship, and citizenship	University of Maine
Sigma Sigma	Upperclassmen	University of Cincinnati
Sigma Tau Sigma	Textlles	North Carolina State University	Template:Color box Blue and Template:Color box White
Signet Society	Literary and artistic ability	Harvard University
Skull and Bones	Seniors	Pennsylvania State University		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Skull and Dagger	Seniors	University of Southern California		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Society of Innocents	Seniors	University of Nebraska–Lincoln		<ref>U of Nebraska student organization list Template:Webarchive, accessed 15 May 2014.</ref>
Sphinx (Inactive)	Senior men	West Virginia University		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
SPHINX	Scholarship, leadership, citizenship, and service; Seniors	Ohio State University		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Sphinx Head	Seniors	Cornell University
Texnikoi	Engineering	Ohio State University	Template:Color box Black and Template:Color box Yellow
Tiger Brotherhood	Service	Clemson University		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Torch		Yale University		<ref name=":3" />
White Key Society	Leadership and service, freshmen and sophomores	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute		<ref name=":0" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Community college, two-year college, and vocational school honor societies

Society	Symbols	Emphasis	Colors	References
Alpha Beta Kappa	lang}}	Private certificate, vocational and trade schools	Template:Color box Red and Template:Color box Blue
Alpha Beta Gamma	lang}}	Business at two-year colleges	Template:Color box Black and Template:Color box Red
Alpha Gamma Sigma	lang}}	California community colleges
Delta Psi Omega	lang}}	Theatre at two-year colleges	Template:Color box Moonlight Blue and Template:Color box Bastard Amber	Template:Efn
Epsilon Phi Delta	lang}}	German at two-year colleges
Kappa Beta Delta	lang}}	Business at community colleges
La Sociedad Honoraria de la Lengua Española		Spanish at two-year colleges	Template:Color box Red and Template:Color box Gold
Mu Alpha Theta	lang}}	Mathematics at two-year colleges	Template:Color box Turquoise blue and Template:Color box Gold
National Technical Honor Society		Workforce vocational education institutions	Template:Color box Purple, Template:Color box Silver, and Template:Color box White
Phi Rho Pi	lang}}	Forensics at two-year colleges
Phi Theta Kappa	lang}}	General, community and junior colleges	Template:Color box Blue and Template:Color box Gold
Psi Beta	lang}}	Psychology at two-year colleges	Template:Color box Royal blue and Template:Color box Gold
Sigma Kappa Delta	lang}}	English at community and junior colleges	Template:Color box Green and Template:Color box Gold

Secondary school honor societies

Commonly referred to as high school societies. This list also includes middle school societies.

Society	Symbols	Emphasis	Colors	References
California Scholarship Federation		General
Computer Science Honor Society		Computer science
Cum Laude Society		General		<ref name=":4">Template:Cite journal</ref>
Delta Epsilon Phi	lang}}	German
Ephebian Society		General		<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
International Thespian Society		Theatre	Template:Color box Sapphire and Template:Color box Gold
Mu Alpha Theta	lang}}	Mathematics	Template:Color box Turquoise blue and Template:Color box Gold
National Art Honor Society		Visual arts
National Business Honor Society		Business, juniors and seniors		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
National Beta Club		General	Template:Color box Black and Template:Color box Gold
National Chinese Honor Society		Chinese		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
National English Honor Society		English	Template:Color box Cardinal and Template:Color box Black
National Honor Society		General	Template:Color box Blue and Template:Color box Gold
National Honor Society for Dance Arts		Dance
National Junior Classical League		Latin and Greek
National Junior Honor Society		General	Template:Color box Blue and Template:Color box White
National Scholarship Society for Secondary Schools		Genera		<ref name=":4" />
National Society of High School Scholars		General		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
National Speech and Debate Association		Public speaking	Template:Color box Red and Template:Color box Silver
National Technical Honor Society		Vocational education	Template:Color box Purple, Template:Color box Silver, and Template:Color box White
Quill and Scroll		Journalism
Rho Kappa	lang}}	Social studies
Science National Honor Society		Science
Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica		Spanish and Portuguese
Société Honoraire de Français		French	Template:Color box Blue, Template:Color box White, and Template:Color box Red
Technology Student Association		STEM	Template:Color box Red Template:Color box blue Template:Color box White
Tri-M	lang}}	Music	Template:Color box Pink

Community-based honor societies

Society	Symbols	Emphasis	Colors	References
Firecrafter		Boy Scouts Crossroads of America Council
Order of the Arrow		Boy Scouts of America
Tribe of Mic-O-Say		Boy Scouts Heart of America Council and Pony Express Council
Tribe of Tahquitz		Local Boy Scout honor society

See also

• Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS)
• Honor Society Caucus
• Honor Cords
• Professional fraternities and sororities

References

• {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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