ABOUT Phi Beta Kappa

The Phi Beta Kappa Society is the oldest academic honor society in the United States.  It was founded in 1776, during the American Revolution, by five students at the College of William and Mary. Since that time, Phi Beta Kappa has grown to over half a million members at 286 American colleges and universities.

After a decade long application process, George Mason University was awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa in late 2012.  On April 17, 2013, the Secretary of Phi Beta Kappa, Dr. John Churchill, installed the Omicron of Virginia chapter at George Mason.  At that time 141 founding members accepted the rights and privileges of membership. Since then, over 1,000 students have been inducted into Mason’s chapter.

Membership is by invitation only, sent out twice a year. All requirements must be completed (not in progress) for a student to receive a letter of invitation. If you wish to pursue this honor, it is highly recommended to have met the qualifications listed below, no later than the first semester of your senior year. Students who meet requirements in their final semester at Mason will receive their letter of invitation the following semester.

The qualifications for membership are:

Juniors:

• 75 hours of liberal arts studies
• One quantitative course
• Foreign language proficiency (the equivalent of coursework through the intermediate level)
• 45 hours of coursework completed at Mason
• top 7.5% of juniors, by college/school

Seniors:

• 90 hours of liberal arts studies
• One quantitative course
• Foreign language proficiency (the equivalent of coursework through the intermediate level)
• 45 hours of coursework completed at Mason
• top 10% of seniors, by college/school