Honor Society

Phi Theta Kappa
International Honor Society of the Two-Year College

Beta Rho Kappa Chapter

Beta Rho Kappa is Maria College’s official chartered chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.  Maria upholds and implements the Society’s high standards and values, and we are dedicated to the Society’s four hallmarks:  scholarship, leadership, fellowship and service within our community.  Our Beta Rho Kappa chapter was chartered in January 2009.

Phi Theta Kappa Purpose and Mission

Phi Theta Kappa’s mission is twofold:  1) to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students, and 2) to provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming.  http://www.ptk.org/about/

Phi Theta Kappa Today

Today Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education, with chapters located in all 50 of the United States, U.S. territories, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Germany, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, United Arab Emirates and Palau. 

Beta Rho Kappa Chapter Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to become a member of the Beta Rho Kappa Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Maria College, you must:

  • Be enrolled as a student at Maria College
  • Have a GPA of 3.67 or higher
  • Have completed at least 12 hours of coursework that may be applied to an associate degree
  • Receive an invitation to membership from the College

Part-time students may be eligible for membership IF they have accumulated the total number of hours over two or more academic terms.

International students are welcome to become members.  They must achieve the required GPA, have accumulated the number of hours required by the College to designate full-time status, and possess all rights of citizenship in their native land.

Please note:  Once a member, you are only required to maintain a GPA of 3.3 or higher.

Why Do Students Accept The Invitation to Join Phi Theta Kappa?

  • The Gold Diploma Seal will be affixed to the member’s diploma to denote Society membership.
  • Society membership will be noted on the member’s Maria’s transcript; this is helpful when applying for transfer to a four-year college or when applying for a job.
  • Membership credentials, including the Golden Key membership pin, membership certificate and membership ID card are mailed to the member’s home address.
  • The Society’s honors cords are worn at Maria’s commencement exercises.
  • Membership in Phi Theta Kappa grants students opportunities for scholarships at both the two- and four-year levels.
  • Membership in Phi Theta Kappa presents the option to get involved in community service and personal leadership development.

Additional Membership Benefits

Membership in Phi Theta Kappa has many benefits that reach beyond the walls of Maria College!

Transfer Scholarships
Members may apply for more than $37 million in transfer scholarships (http://scholarships.ptk.org/), provided exclusively to Society members by more than 700 senior institutions.

CollegeFish.org free enrollment
Members have free access to Phi Theta Kappa’s online transfer tool.  (www.CollegeFish.org)  Research colleges, learn about transfer scholarships, manage important transfer dates and deadlines and communicate with four-year college representatives to ensure a smooth transfer to a four-year college.

Press Release Announcing Membership
At the member’s request, a press release is sent electronically to a newspaper of the member’s choosing.

Letters of Recommendation
Request letters of recommendation from Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society to a college admissions counselor, scholarship official or potential employer.

Career Resource Center
The Career Resource Center provides members with career trends, research, tips and tools for navigating the job market.

Special Offers
Visit the Key Partners page (http://www.ptk.org/?q=about/key-partners) of Phi Theta Kappa for special offers from Phi Theta Kappa partners.

For a complete list of Society benefits, visit http://www.ptk.org/?q=become-a-member/benefits.

  1. Membership Dues Payment Information

    When students accept the invitation from the Beta Rho Kappa Chapter at Maria College to join Phi Theta Kappa, they pay a one-time $60 fee, which includes national, regional and local chapter fees.

  2. Advisor Contact Information

    Maria faculty advisors are:

    Joan Mary Hartigan, CSJ
    jhartigan@mariacollege.edu
    (518) 438-3111, Ext. 282

    Barbara Ruslander
    barbr@mariacollege.edu
    (518) 438-3111, Ext. 216

  3. New Member Orientation

    Prospective members who have met the requirements for membership are sent an invitation to a new member orientation meeting early in each fall semester.  The informational meeting details membership benefits, and is a chance to meet the advisors and have questions answered.  Students may submit applications and fees at this meeting.  A deadline is set for submitting applications.

  4. Induction Ceremony

    The Induction Ceremony is held later in the fall semester after applications and fees have been submitted.  Family members are invited to this celebration of the high level of academic achievement of the newest members, and a small reception is held as well.  Maria College is so proud to present this mark of distinction upon the newest members of the Society!

  5. Service Projects

    The first group of inductees created a volunteer connection with the Ronald McDonald House of Albany, New York.  Ronald McDonald House Charities provides a home away from home for families of seriously ill children, and creates and supports programs that directly improve the lives of children and their families.  Participation in the service component is not required, but many Phi Theta Kappa members have given of themselves for this worthy cause.  In the first two years of this relationship, members of the Beta Rho Kappa Chapter cleaned rooms in the residence, donated food and other items, and cooked a dinner for families who were staying at the House.

  6. Phi Theta Kappa

    Copyright ©2010 by Phi Theta Kappa. All rights reserved. None of the official Phi Theta Kappa logos and emblems may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Phi Theta Kappa.  Phi Theta Kappa has registered the name, logo and various titles herein with the U.S. Patent Office.

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