Phi Alpha Theta

Established in 1985, Alpha Gamm Eta, Briar Cliff University’s chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the national honors history student organization, recognizes the best history students at Briar Cliff.

The mission of Phi Alpha Theta is to “promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication, and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians.” The organization seeks to “bring students, teachers, and writers of history together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote and assist historical research and publication by our members in a variety of ways.” Participation in Phi Alpha Theta has other advantages as well. Membership includes a one-year subscription to The Historian, Phi Alpha Theta’s scholarly journal. Members are also eligible to apply for a series of scholarships for graduate work and prizes for papers and articles. Perhaps most importantly, employers and graduate programs recognize Phi Alpha Theta membership as a sign of academic excellence.

Eligibility requirements 

• 12 credit hours in History with a GPA of at least 3.1
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better overall
• Academic standing in the top 35 percent of your class.
• Membership is not limited to history majors.

Each December, the department initiates new members into Phi Alpha Theta as part of a Christmas gathering for all History and Political Science majors and minors at Briar Cliff.

For more information, contact the Department of History.

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