Psi Chi

Psi Chi is the International Honor Society in Psychology, founded in 1929 for the purposes of encouraging, stimulating and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology. 

Membership is open to qualified graduate and undergraduate students who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests. Psi Chi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies and is an affiliate of the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science. Psi Chi's sister honor society is Psi Beta, the national honor society in psychology for community and junior colleges.

Psi Chi serves two major goals:

  • To provide academic recognition to its inductees 
  • To nourish and stimulate professional growth, and provide practical experience and fellowship through affiliation with the chapter

The national organization provides programs to help achieve these goals, including society and regional conventions, research award competitions and certificate recognition programs.

Quick fact: There are currently more than 500,000 lifetime members of Psi Chi.

Membership Qualifications

  • You must be enrolled as a student at VCU
  • You are at least a second-semester sophomore
  • You are a psychology major
  • You have completed at least 12 semester hours of psychology coursework at VCU
  • You have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA at VCU
  • You have at least a 3.3 GPA in psychology courses at VCU

Any chapter may establish minimum scholastic requirements that are higher than the national minimum qualifications. Membership in Psi Chi is open to qualified candidates of any age, sex, sexual orientation, race, handicap or disability, color, religion, and national and ethnic origin.

Benefits of Being a Member

Psi Chi is a springboard for professional growth. Members have opportunities to promote their research, gain national and international recognition, meet and interact with leaders in their field, and meet Psi Chi members of other chapters who also will be future leaders. 

The experience gained by working with Psi Chi is excellent for building up a resumé. Additionally, the U.S. government recognizes membership in Psi Chi as meeting one of the requirements for entrance at the GS-7 level in the federal service.

A culmination of the benefits mentioned above is knowing that many members — by their caring, dedication, perseverance and hard work — have made it possible to encourage young persons interested in psychology to strive for excellence.

How to Join

Students become members by joining the chapter at the school where they are enrolled. Psi Chi chapters are operated by student officers and faculty advisers. Together they select and induct the members and carry out the goals of the society. All chapters register their inductees at the Psi Chi national office. 

If you would like to join Psi Chi and meet the membership requirements, please complete the following steps:

  • Review the application instructions and fill out the online application at psichi.org.
  • Complete the form, including the application checklist, at the end of the application instructions document.
  • Make a copy of your unofficial VCU transcript.
  • Provide the $75 membership fee ($55 for national membership and $15 for the local chapter) via cash, check (make payable to VCU Psi Chi), or money order.
  • Place all above materials in a sealed envelope and drop off in Dr. Donahue's mailbox in the reception office of 806 W. Franklin St.

The membership fee includes a personalized certificate of membership, newsletters and a reception in your honor following the induction ceremony. There are no annual dues or other fees.

The induction ceremony and reception to acknowledge your achievements will be held each spring. However, you may apply at any time and membership decisions are made throughout the academic year. Those who are unable to attend the induction ceremony will be able to pick up their membership materials later.

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