At the same time, Phi Alpha Theta is a professional society the objective of which is the promotion of the study of History by the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication, and the exchange of learning and thought among historians. It seeks to bring students, teachers and writers of History together, both intellectually and socially, and it encourages and assists, in a variety of ways, historical research and publication by its members. The society publishes The Historian, a distinguished quarterly whose pages are open to members for the publication of their studies. It also contains reviews of the most important current books, notes relative to historical activities, and other news of interest to the society's members. Phi Alpha Theta has also established a number of prizes and awards to recognize achievement by its members.
Awards are mad for papers presented by undergraduates as well as by graduate students.
Six graduate scholarship awards are also made, and Phi Alpha Theta offers two annual awards for books published by its members. The society also maintains a placement bureau for the benefit of its members.