Membership is gained by invitation only, and is extended to all qualified juniors and seniors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.4 or above, in all of the undergraduate Colleges and Schools of Boston University. The Epsilon Chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the international honor society in economics, was issued its charter in 1964. Membership is open to economics concentrators who have exhibited high scholastic achievement throughout their undergraduate careers. Juniors and seniors are nominated for membership semi-annually. Phi Alpha Theta Delta Mu Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society, was established at Boston University in 1952.
Membership is open to undergraduates and graduates concentrating in history.
Eligibility for undergraduates is based primarily on high scholastic achievement in all subjects and especially in the field of concentration. Phi Beta Kappa Phi Beta Kappa, founded at the College of William and Mary in 1776, is an honorary society whose membership is conferred for high scholarship. Massachusetts Epsilon Chapter at Boston University received its charter in 1899. Each year a number of seniors maintaining high rank throughout their courses are elected to membership. A few exceptional students may be elected during the first semester of their senior year on the basis of their record at the end of the junior year.