Students become members by joining the chapter at the school where they are enrolled. Psi Chi chapters are operated by student officers and faculty advisors. Together they select and induct the members and carry out the goals of the Society. Because the officers and faculty advisors are volunteers and their time is limited, anyone interested in joining Psi Chi should take the initiative and contact the psychology department, the faculty advisor, and/or the local 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 members recorded at the National Office during the first sixty-four years is 252,000; many of these members have gone on to distinguished careers in psychology.

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. Furthermore, the contacts made through Psi Chi will be valuable throughout your educational and professional careers.

Concrete advantages of membership include:

• The documents - a membership certificate and card which give tangible evidence of membership.
• The references provided throughout one's lifetime (this service alone is worth the investment).
• The experience gained by working with Psi Chi is excellent for building up a resume; 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 United States government recognizes membership in Psi Chi as meeting one of the requirements for entrance at the GS-7 level in the Federal service.

Climaxing 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 - to reach toward that attainable star.

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. Psi Chi is well represented in the professional ranks of all the behavioral sciences. The Membership Directory of the American Psychological Association is studded with the names of Psi Chi members, both active and alumni. This is only one example demonstrating that the Society's purposes are being fulfilled.

Among the National Organization's Requirements for Membership* Are:
 

• Completion of at least 3 semesters or 5 quarters of the college course.
• Completion of 9 semester hours or 14 quarter hours of psychology.
• Registration for major or minor standing in psychology or for a program psychological in nature which is equivalent to such standings.
• Undergraduates who are elected to Psi Chi much have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.00 and rank in the upper 35 percent of their class (sophomore, junior, senior) in general scholarship. They must also demonstrate superior scholarship in psychology, earning a minimum GPA in psychology courses of 3.0. Psi Chi accepts the policy of the institution regarding grades.
• For graduate students, an average GPA of 3.0 or better in all graduate courses.
• High standards of personal behavior.
• Two-thirds affirmative vote of those present at a regular meeting of the chapter.

Dues: There is a one-time National fee of $35. Additionally, there is a per-semester local chapter fee of $10.

*Any chapter may establish minimum scholastic qualifications that are higher than those listed above. During the fall semester of 2005, the SFASU chapter voted to increase the GPA requirements for both undergraduate and graduate students.

The new GPA requirements, starting Spring 2006 will be

• Undergraduate Students: 3.0 cummulative GPA and a 3.4 Psychology GPA
• Graduate Students: 3.4 cummulative GPA

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All Psi Chi membership forms will be distributed by the chapter to potential members. However, they may also be found on the national Psi Chi webpage.

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