Psi Chi Membership

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. Anyone interested in joining Psi Chi should take the initiative and contact the faculty adviser (Dr. Geri Lotze), and/or one of the chapter officers.

All chapters register their inductees at the Psi Chi National Office, where the membership records are preserved for reference purposes. The total number of memberships registered at the Central Office is now over 500,000 lifetime members. Many of these members have gone on to distinguished careers in psychology.

Minimum Qualifications for Active Student Membership

• Must be enrolled as a student at VCU
• Must have established a GPA at VCU
• Must be at least a second-semester sophomore at VCU
• Must be enrolled as a major or minor in the VCU psychology program
• Must have completed at least 9 semester hours or 14 quarter hours of psychology courses
• Must have an overall GPA that is in the top 35% of their class based on rankings within sophomore, within junior, and within senior classes (if the cut-off for the top 35% is below 3.00, the applicant must have an overall GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4-point scale)
• Must have a psychology GPA that is at least 3.00 on a 4-point scale

* Undergraduate transfer students who wish to join an established chapter must complete at least 12 semester hours (or the quarter equivalent) at the new institution unless the Psi Chi chapter has a transfer student policy that articulates clear alternative criteria, yet still conforms to the Society standards regarding hours. The Society standards regarding hours are that the student must have completed 36 semester hours of college credit (or the quarter equivalent) and 9 semester hours of psychology (or the quarter equivalent).

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

The intrinsic value of membership is rewarding to the achiever in that recognition of excellence leads to self-fulfillment and thus to self-realization. By recognizing that what you do does make a difference, you are stimulated to higher productivity. Accomplishments are enjoyed more when shared with others.

Concrete advantages of membership include:

• A membership certificate and card that give tangible evidence of membership.
• The experience gained by working with Psi Chi is excellent for building up a resumé; it is difficult to attain that first managerial and creative experience
• Psi Chi is a springboard for professional growth. Opportunities are made available to the members for promoting their research, receiving national and international recognition, meeting and interacting with leaders in their field, and meeting Psi Chi members of other chapters who also will be future leaders.
• 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 individuals — by their caring, dedication, perseverance and hard work — have made it possible to encourage young persons interested in psychology to strive for excellence.

The ultimate test of the value of any membership organization lies in the accomplishments of its members. In each year of Psi Chi's history, more and more members have undertaken graduate studies. Now in its 67th year, Psi Chi is well represented in the professional ranks of all the behavioral sciences. The membership directories of the American Psychological Association (APA) and American Psychological Society (APS) are studded with the names of Psi Chi members, both active and alumni.

Detailed Application Information

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

1. Fill out the required application (obtained in the Psychology Advising Office or in the Psi Chi mailbox, both of which are located on the first floor of the White House at 806 W. Franklin Street).
2. Attach an unofficial copy of your VCU academic transcript.
3. Provide the $60 membership fee ($45 for national membership and $15 for the local chapter) via cash, check (make payable to VCU Psi Chi), or money order.
4. Place all above materials in a sealed envelope and drop off at the Psi Chi 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.

If you have any questions please contact Dr. Geri Lotze, Psi Chi faculty adviser.