# Honor society

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.
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. Racial barriers, where they existed, were challenged and retired, with any holdouts subject to significant criticism. 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.
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. A Ph.D. or Ph.D. track is required, among other qualifications. 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. This evolution reflects a broader movement within academic institutions towards a more equitable and comprehensive recognition of student excellence.

## Regalia

Academic robes and regalia identifying by color the degree, school, and other distinctions, are controlled under rules of a voluntary Intercollegiate Code. 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. ACHS formed in 1925 to establish and maintain desirable standards for honor societies. 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. While ACHS membership is a certification that the member societies meet these standards, not all legitimate honor societies apply for membership in ACHS.

## 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 |
| Alpha Alpha Alpha | ΑΑΑ | General, first-generation college students | Blue and Grey/Silver |
| Alpha Chi | ΑΧ | General | Emerald Green and Sapphire blue |
| Alpha Kappa Mu | ΑΚΜ | General | Royal blue and White |
| Alpha Lambda Delta | ΑΛΔ | General, Freshman | Maroon and Gold |
| Alpha Sigma Lambda | ΑΣΛ | General, Non-traditional students | Burgundy and Gold |
| Alpha Sigma Nu | ΑΣΝ | General, scholarship and service at Jesuit institutions of higher education | Maroon Gold |
| Bouchet Graduate Honor Society | | General, Doctoral and Post-Doctoral | |
| Chi Alpha Sigma | ΧΑΣ | General, student athletes | Gold and Black |
| Delta Alpha Pi | ΔΑΠ | General, students with disabilities | Royal blue and Gold |
| Delta Epsilon Sigma | ΔΕΣ | General at traditionally Catholic colleges | Black and Gold |
| Delta Epsilon Tau | ΔΕΤ | General, Distance Education Accrediting Commission institutions | |
| Epsilon Tau Pi | ΕΤΠ | General, Eagle Scouts | White, Red, Blue, and Black |
| Golden Key International Honour Society | | General | Navy Blue, Gold, and White |
| Ku Klux Klan (defunct) | | Interfraternity leadership, Juniors | Black |
| Lambda Sigma | ΛΣ | Scholarship, leadership, and service | Blue and Gold |
| Mortar Board | | General, Seniors | Gold and Silver |
| National Residence Hall Honorary | | Residence hall leadership and service | Blue and White |
| National Society of Collegiate Scholars | | Leadership, scholarship, and service | Purple and Gold |
| Omicron Delta Kappa | ΟΔΚ | Leadership and scholarship, upperclassmen and graduate students | Sky blue, White, and Black |
| Order of Omega | | General, fraternities and sororities | Ivory and Gold |
| Phi Beta Kappa | ΦΒΚ | Arts and sciences, undergraduate | Pink and Sky blue |
| Phi Eta Sigma | ΦΗΣ | General, freshman | Gold and Black |
| Phi Kappa Phi | ΦΚΦ | General | Blue and Gold |
| Phi Sigma Pi | ΦΣΠ | General | Purple and Gold |
| Phi Tau Phi | ΦΤΦ | General | |
| SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society | | General, veterans and active military | |
| Scabbard and Blade | | General, ROTC. JROTC. and midshipmen | Red, White, and Blue |
| Sigma Alpha Lambda | ΣΑΛ | Leadership and scholarship | Navy, Black, and  Gold |
| Tau Sigma | ΤΣ | General, transfer students | Burgundy and Gold |
| Tu–Mas (defunct) | | Interfraternity leadership, Juniors | Black |

### Humanities

These societies are open to Humanities disciplines and may be department-specific.
| Society | Symbols | Academic emphasis | Colors |
| Alpha Iota Sigma | ΑΙΣ | Interdisciplinary studies | |
| Alpha Mu Gamma | ΑΜΓ | Foreign languages | Gold |
| Alpha Psi Omega | ΑΨΩ | Theatre | Moonlight Blue and Bastard Amber |
| Alpha Upsilon Alpha | ΑΥΑ | Reading and language arts | Gold and Silver |
| Chi Tau Epsilon | ΧΤΕ | Dance | |
| Delta Epsilon Chi | ΔΕΧ | Divinity | |
| Delta Phi Alpha | ΔΦΑ | German | Black, Red, and Gold |
| Delta Phi Delta | ΔΦΔ | Art | Red and Bright blue |
| Eta Sigma Phi | ΗΣΦ | Classics | Purple and Gold |
| Kappa Kappa Psi | ΚΚΨ | Music - band | Blue White |
| Kappa Pi | ΚΠ | Art | Purple and Gold |
| Kappa Tau Alpha | ΚΤΑ | Journalism and mass communication | Light blue and Gold |
| Lambda Iota Tau | ΛΙΤ | Literature | Purple and Gold |
| Lambda Pi Eta | ΛΠΗ | Communication | Crimson and Silver |
| Mu Beta Psi | ΜΒΨ | Music | Red and White |
| Omega Xi Alpha | ΩΞΑ | Journalism | |
| Phi Sigma Iota | ΦΣΙ | Modern foreign languages and literature, Upperclassmen and Graduate Students | Purple and White |
| Phi Sigma Tau | ΦΣΤ | Philosophy | White and Purple |
| Pi Delta Phi | ΠΔΦ | French | Blue, White, and Red |
| Pi Kappa Lambda | ΠΚΛ | Music | Gold and White |
| Pi Nu Epsilon | ΠΝΕ | Music | |
| Sigma Delta Pi | ΣΔΠ | Spanish and Portuguese | Red and Gold |
| Sigma Tau Delta | ΣΤΔ | English | Cardinal and Black |
| Society for Collegiate Journalists | SCJ | Journalism | |
| Tau Beta Sigma | ΤΒΣ | Music - band | White and Blue |
| Theta Alpha Kappa | ΘΑΚ | Religious studies, theology, and philosophy | Red and Gold |
| Theta Alpha Phi | ΘΑΦ | Theatre | Purple and White |
| Theta Chi Beta | ΘΧΒ | Religious studies | |

### Social sciences

These societies are open to social science disciplines and may be department-specific.
| Society | Symbols | Academic emphasis | Colors |
| Alpha Iota Delta | ΑΙΔ | Decision sciences | Green and Gold |
| Alpha Kappa Delta | ΑΚΔ | Sociology | Teal |
| Alpha Mu Alpha | ΑΜΑ | Marketing | Red |
| Alpha Phi Sigma | ΑΦΣ | Criminal justice and law | Blue and Gold |
| Beta Alpha Psi | ΒΑΨ | Accounting and finance | Crimson and Black |
| Beta Gamma Sigma | ΒΓΣ | Business programs accredited by AACSB | Royal blue and Gold |
| Chi Sigma Iota | ΧΣΙ | Counseling | White and Blue |
| Delta Mu Delta | ΔΜΔ | Business programs accredited by ACBSP | Purple, Gold, and White |
| Eta Sigma Delta | ΗΣΔ | Hospitality management | Blue and White |
| Eta Sigma Gamma | ΗΣΓ | Health education | Dark green and Gold |
| Gamma Theta Upsilon | ΓΘΥ | Geography | Brown, Light blue, and Gold |
| Kappa Delta Pi | ΚΔΠ | Education | Purple and Gold |
| Kappa Omicron Nu | ΚΟΝ | Human sciences | Maroon and Gold |
| Lambda Alpha | ΛΑ | Anthropology | Red, White, and Black |
| Lambda Epsilon Chi | ΛΕΧ | Paralegal | Royal Purple |
| Mu Kappa Tau | ΜΚΤ | Marketing | Navy blue |
| Nu Lambda Mu | ΝΛΜ | Nonprofit management | |
| Omega Rho | ΩΡ | Operations research and management science | Blue and Red |
| Omicron Delta Epsilon | ΟΔΕ | Economics | |
| The Order of Barristers | | Law school | |
| Order of the Coif | | Law school graduates | Maroon and Black |
| Order of the Sword & Shield | ΟΣΣ | Homeland security, emergency management, and protective studies | Blue and Gold |
| Phi Alpha | ΦΑ | Social work | Royal blue and Light gold |
| Phi Alpha Theta | ΦΑΘ | History | Madonna Red and Madonna Blue |
| Phi Beta Delta | ΦΒΔ | International education | Gold and Red |
| Phi Delta Phi | ΦΔΦ | Law | Garnet and Pearl Blue |
| Phi Upsilon Omicron | ΦΥΟ | Family and consumer science | White, Yellow, and Violet |
| Pi Alpha Alpha | ΠΑΑ | Public administration | Light Blue and Gold |
| Pi Gamma Mu | ΠΓΜ | Social sciences | Royal blue and White |
| Pi Lambda Theta | ΠΛΘ | Education | Gold |
| Pi Omega Pi | ΠΩΠ | Business education | Blue, Silver and Gold |
| Pi Sigma Alpha | ΠΣΑ | Political science | Red and Black |
| Psi Chi | ΨΧ | Psychology | Platinum and Dark Blue |
| Sigma Beta Delta | ΣΒΔ | Business, management, and business administration | Hunter green and Gold |
| Sigma Iota Rho | ΣΙΡ | International relations | Black, Blue, and Red |
| Sigma Nu Tau | ΣΝΤ | Entrepreneurship | |
| Tau Upsilon Alpha | ΤΥΑ | Human services | |
| Upsilon Phi Delta | ΥΦΔ | Health administration | Crimson red and 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 |
| Alpha Epsilon | ΑΕ | Agricultural food, and biological engineering | Black and Gold |
| Alpha Epsilon Delta | ΑΕΔ | Pre-medical | Red and Violet |
| Alpha Eta | ΑΗ | Allied health professions | |
| Alpha Eta Mu Beta | ΑΗΜΒ | Biomedical engineering | Red and Gold |
| Alpha Mu | ΑΜ | Agricultural systems management | |
| Alpha Nu Sigma | ΑΝΣ | Nuclear engineering | |
| Alpha Omega Alpha | ΑΩΑ | Medical students and physicians | Green, Gold, and White |
| Alpha Pi Mu | ΑΠΜ | Industrial engineering | Purple and Light Yellow |
| Alpha Sigma Mu | ΑΣΜ | Metallurgy and materials engineering | Silver and Gold |
| Beta Beta Beta | ΒΒΒ | Biology | Blood red and Leaf green |
| Beta Kappa Chi | ΒΚΧ | Natural Science and Mathematics | Golden Yellow and Royal Blue |
| Beta Phi Mu | ΒΦΜ | Library and information science | Purple and White |
| Beta Sigma Kappa | ΒΣΚ | Optometry | |
| Chi Beta Phi | ΧΒΦ | Science and Mathematics | Colonial blue and Crimson |
| Chi Epsilon | ΧΕ | Civil engineering | Purple and White |
| Chi Epsilon Pi | ΧΕΠ | Meteorology | Royal blue and Silver |
| Delta Tau Alpha | ΔΤΑ | Agriculture | Green and Harvest gold |
| Delta Omega | ΔΩ | Public health | Black and Gold;  Stole color is Peach |
| Epsilon Pi Tau | ΕΠΤ | Technology | Blue, White, and Gold |
| Eta Kappa Nu | ΗΚΝ | Electrical engineering and computer engineering | Navy blue and Scarlet |
| Gamma Alpha Rho (inactive) | ΓΑΡ | Aeronautical engineering | |
| Gamma Nu Eta | ΓΝΗ | Information technology | |
| Gamma Sigma Delta | ΓΣΔ | Agriculture | Sand and Forest Green |
| Gamma Sigma Epsilon | ΓΣΕ | Chemistry | Royal blue and White |
| Iota Tau Alpha | ΙΤΑ | Athletic training | |
| Iota Sigma Pi | ΙΣΠ | Chemistry and related fields, women | White, Gold, and Cedar green |
| Lambda Beta | ΛΒ | Respiratory Care | Blue and Green |
| Nu Rho Psi | ΝΡΨ | Neuroscience | Gold and Black |
| Omega Chi Epsilon | ΩΧΕ | Chemical engineering | Black, White, and Maroon |
| Omicron Kappa Upsilon | ΟΚΥ | Dentistry | Navy blue, Gold, and Lilac |
| Phi Alpha Epsilon | ΦΑΕ | Architectural engineering | Purple and White |
| Phi Lambda Upsilon | ΦΛΥ | Chemistry | Pink Litmus and Blue Litmus |
| Phi Sigma | ΦΣ | Biological sciences | Medium Green, White, and Old gold |
| Phi Tau Sigma | ΦΤΣ | Food Science and Technology | Gold and Maroon |
| Phi Zeta | ΦΖ | Veterinary medicine | Blue and Yellow |
| Pi Alpha Xi | ΠΑΞ | Horticulture | Nile green and Cerulean blue |
| Pi Delta | ΠΔ | Podiatry | |
| Pi Epsilon | ΠΕ | Environmental science | Blue and Green |
| Pi Epsilon Tau | ΠΕΤ | Petroleum engineering and related fields | Gold and Black |
| Pi Tau Sigma | ΠΤΣ | Mechanical engineering | Murrey and Azure |
| Rho Beta Epsilon | ΡΒΕ | Robotics | Crimson, Gold, and Black |
| Rho Chi | ΡΧ | Pharmacy | Purple and White |
| Sigma Gamma Epsilon | ΣΓΕ | Geology and earth science | Gold, Blue, and Silver |
| Sigma Gamma Tau | ΣΓΤ | Aerospace engineering | Red and White |
| Sigma Lambda Alpha | ΣΛΑ | Landscape architecture | Gold and Green |
| Sigma Lambda Chi | ΣΛΧ | Construction management technology | Green and Gold |
| Sigma Phi Alpha | ΣΦΑ | Dental hygiene, women | Deep purple Bright gold |
| Sigma Phi Omega | ΣΦΩ | Gerontology | Blue and Gold |
| Sigma Pi Sigma | ΣΠΣ | Physics and Astronomy | Forest Green and Ivory |
| Sigma Sigma Phi | ΣΣΦ | Osteopathic medicine and medicine | Crimson and Royal blue |
| Sigma Theta Tau | ΣΘΤ | Nursing | Orchid and Fuchsia |
| Sigma Xi | ΣΞ | Research in Science and Engineering | Blue and Gold |
| Sigma Zeta | ΣΖ | Natural sciences, Mathematics, and Computer science | Blue and White |
| Tau Alpha Pi | ΤΑΠ | Engineering technology | Green and Gold |
| Tau Beta Pi | ΤΒΠ | Engineering | Seal Brown and White |
| Tau Sigma Delta | ΤΣΔ | Architecture | White and Gold |
| Upsilon Pi Epsilon | ΥΠΕ | Computer science and computer engineering | Green and Gold |
| Xi Sigma Pi | ΞΣΠ | Forestry | Green and 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 |
| Activities Honorary Society | Leadership | University of Illinois at Chicago | |
| Aquinas Honor Society | General, Seniors | University of St. Thomas | |
| Aurelian | | Yale University | |
| Bucket & Dipper | Scholaship, service, and leadership; Juniors | Ohio State University | |
| 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 | |
| Cincinnatus Honorary Society | General | University of Cincinnati | |
| Dean William Tate Society | Scholarship and activities; Freshmen | University of Georgia | |
| Florida Blue Key | Leadership | University of Florida | |
| Friar Society | Seniors | University of Texas at Austin | |
| Innocents Society | Seniors | University of Nebraska–Lincoln | |
| Iron Arrow Honor Society | Leadership and scholarship | University of Miami | |
| Iron Wedge | | University of Minnesota | |
| Lion's Paw Senior Society | Seniors | Pennsylvania State University | |
| Matteo Ricci Society | General, fellowship candidates | Fordham University | |
| Mirrors Sophomore Honorary | Scholarship, leadership, and service; Juniors | Ohio State University | |
| Mountain | Seniors | West Virginia University | |
| 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 | |
| Phalanx Honor Society | Leadership and service, seniors | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | |
| Plumb Bob | Leadership | University of Minnesota | |
| 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 | |
| Romophos (inactive) | Leadership, service, and scholarship; Sophomores | Ohio State University | |
| 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 | Blue and White |
| Signet Society | Literary and artistic ability | Harvard University | |
| Skull and Bones | Seniors | Pennsylvania State University | |
| Skull and Dagger | Seniors | University of Southern California | |
| Society of Innocents | Seniors | University of Nebraska–Lincoln | |
| Sphinx (Inactive) | Senior men | West Virginia University | |
| SPHINX | Scholarship, leadership, citizenship, and service; Seniors | Ohio State University | |
| Sphinx Head | Seniors | Cornell University | |
| Texnikoi | Engineering | Ohio State University | Black and Yellow |
| Tiger Brotherhood | Service | Clemson University | |
| Torch | | Yale University | |
| White Key Society | Leadership and service, freshmen and sophomores | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | |

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

| Society | Symbols | Emphasis | Colors |
| Alpha Beta Kappa | ΑΒΚ | Private certificate, vocational and trade schools | Red and Blue |
| Alpha Beta Gamma | ΑΒΓ | Business at two-year colleges | Black and Red |
| Alpha Gamma Sigma | ΑΓΣ | California community colleges | |
| Delta Psi Omega | ΔΨΩ | Theatre at two-year colleges | Moonlight Blue and Bastard Amber |
| Epsilon Phi Delta | ΕΦΔ | German at two-year colleges | |
| Kappa Beta Delta | ΚΒΔ | Business at community colleges | |
| La Sociedad Honoraria de la Lengua Española | | Spanish at two-year colleges | Red and Gold |
| Mu Alpha Theta | ΜΑΘ | Mathematics at two-year colleges | Turquoise blue and Gold |
| National Technical Honor Society | | Workforce vocational education institutions | Purple, Silver, and White |
| Phi Rho Pi | ΦΡΠ | Forensics at two-year colleges | |
| Phi Theta Kappa | ΦΘΚ | General, community and junior colleges | Blue and Gold |
| Psi Beta | ΨΒ | Psychology at two-year colleges | Royal blue and Gold |
| Sigma Kappa Delta | ΣΚΔ | English at community and junior colleges | Green and Gold |

## Secondary school honor societies

Commonly referred to as high school societies. This list also includes middle school societies.
| Society | Symbols | Emphasis | Colors |
| California Scholarship Federation | | General | |
| Computer Science Honor Society | | Computer science | |
| Cum Laude Society | | General | |
| Delta Epsilon Phi | ΔΕΦ | German | |
| International Thespian Society | | Theatre | Sapphire and Gold |
| Mu Alpha Theta | ΜΑΘ | Mathematics | Turquoise blue and Gold |
| National Art Honor Society | | Visual arts | |
| National Business Honor Society | | Business, juniors and seniors | |
| National Beta Club | | General | Black and Gold |
| National Chinese Honor Society | | Chinese | |
| National English Honor Society | | English | Cardinal and Black |
| National Honor Society | | General | Blue and Gold |
| National Honor Society for Dance Arts | | Dance | |
| National Junior Classical League | | Latin and Greek | |
| National Junior Honor Society | | General | Blue and White |
| National Society of High School Scholars | | General | |
| National Speech and Debate Association | | Public speaking | Red and Silver |
| National Technical Honor Society | | Vocational education | Purple, Silver, and White |
| Quill and Scroll | | Journalism | |
| Rho Kappa | ΡΚ | Social studies | |
| Science National Honor Society | | Science | |
| Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica | | Spanish and Portuguese | |
| Société Honoraire de Français | | French | Blue, White, and Red |
| Technology Student Association | | STEM | Red blue White |
| Tri-M | MMM | Music | Pink |

## Community-based honor societies

| Society | Emphasis |
| 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 |