Membership is open to qualifying undergraduate and graduate students.
Members are inducted once a year in the spring. The mission of Pi Alpha Alpha is advanced through the national organization and through the work of local Pi Alpha Alpha chapters established by collegiate programs in public affairs and administration which are affiliated with the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. Currently, there are 117 Pi Alpha Alpha chapters, with a total membership of 21,898 individuals. A total of 1,461 members were inducted into the honor society last year. Pi Alpha Alpha is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, the coordinating agency for collegiate honor societies which is dedicated to maintaining high standards for the recognition and promotion of academic excellence in higher education.