Today, in a society that is highly competitive, such recognition serves to underline one's particular skills and unique qualities. T o assist in that recognition, a select group of honor societies has been chartered at The Catholic University of America. They exist not only to recognize the attainment of scholarship of a superior quality or the exemplification of leadership skills, character and good citizenship, but also to encourage the development of those qualities in CUA's students. Nominations are made annually following the senior comprehensive examinations. Nominations for membership in Phi Alpha Theta are made annually to those who attain a grade point average of 3.1 in their history concentration and a 3.0 cumulative average.
Membership is open to both graduates and undergraduates.
The society offers scholarships for graduate students in the history field. The Beta chapter of the District of Columbia was chartered on campus in 1941. Phi Beta Kappa elects outstanding seniors from the School of Arts and Sciences. Membership is enacted during the second semester of the senior year. Chartered on our campus in 1929, this society recognizes academically outstanding freshmen during the first semester of their sophomore year.