Pi Alpha Alpha: Review, Requirements and Rating
What is the history of Pi Alpha Alpha?
Pi Alpha Alpha is the Global Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration. There are more than 160 chapters located around the world at NASPAA member schools. Pi Alpha Alpha is run by NASPAA: The Global Standard in Public Service Education and is directed by the NASPAA Pi Alpha Alpha Special Ad Hoc Committee (Committee). Committee members are appointed by the NASPAA President for terms up to three years.
The purpose of Pi Alpha Alpha is to encourage and recognize outstanding scholarship and accomplishment in public affairs and administration. Its objectives, such as fostering integrity, professionalism, and effective performance, promote the advancement of quality in the education and practice of the art and science of public affairs and administration. PAA membership identifies those with the highest performance levels in educational programs preparing them for public service careers.
What are the requirements to be in Pi Alpha Alpha?
Undergraduate Student Memberships - Candidates for undergraduate degrees who rank in the upper ten percent (10%) of their graduating class may be inducted provided:
- They have completed 15 semester hours of course work required for the public affairs or public administration major or its equivalent;
- They have maintained an average grade of 3.5 on a scale of 4.0 in all courses in public affairs and public administration, and at least a 3.0 in all course work.
- They have met the requirements of (a) and (b) above and are in at least the last semester or quarter of their junior year.
Transfer students who meet the qualifications for undergraduate membership may be inducted after they have completed a minimum of one full year of course work in the school or college to which they transfer and in which the chapter is located.
Masters Degree Student Memberships – Students may be inducted from among the master’s degree students in the department, institute, or school wherever the Pi Alpha Alpha chapter membership is based provided:
- They have maintained a GPA of at least 3.7. A chapter may set higher GPA requirements if it chooses.
- Master degree students must have completed at least fifty percent (50%) of the required course work (a minimum of 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours). A chapter may set a higher percent of completion if it chooses.
Doctoral Students - Doctoral students who meet the requirements for Pi Alpha Alpha masters degree student membership or who have completed all the requirements for the MPA or its equivalent, may be inducted without restriction as to number.
What are the key benefits of being a member of Pi Alpha Alpha?
Pi Alpha Alpha provides three major membership benefits: acknowledges academic achievement, provides job-searching and networking benefits, and indicates the opportunity to serve others through public service. Membership indicates to faculty, employers, and colleagues that you are a dedicated and intelligent student.
Based on the information, here is our review:
Our first observation is: that this is the main Global Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration.
Our second observation was: that this society requires a higher GPA for membership for students in their Master’s programs vs. their Bachelor’s programs.
Our third observation was: that Doctoral students who meet the requirements for Pi Alpha Alpha masters degree student membership are eligible, but again, this is a higher GPA standard than even the students pursuing their Bachelor’s degree.
