Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, recognizes the academic excellence of undergraduate, graduate, and Juris Doctorate students. Alpha Phi Sigma (APS) is the only honor society for students of the criminal justice sciences recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. The Honor Society is open to those with a declared major, minor or equivalent in a Criminal Justice or related field leading to a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or Doctoral degree. Membership Alpha Phi Sigma signifies your dedication to academic excellence, leadership, service and unity, and allows you to join the ranks of thousands of other Alpha Phi Sigma members and alumni across the world who make a positive difference each day in their professions and communities. The mission of Alpha Phi Sigma is to promote analytical thinking, rigorous scholarship, and lifelong learning; to keep abreast of the advances in scientific research; to elevate the ethical standards of the criminal justice professions; and to sustain in the public mind the benefits and necessity of education and professional training.

 

Membership requirements include the following:

1. Baccalaureate students shall be enrolled at the time of application at Iowa State University, have declared a major, minor or equivalent in the criminal justice or related field, have completed three full time semesters or its equivalent, have a minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, with a minimum GPA of 3.2 in courses in criminal justice related fields and rank in the top 35% of their class. A minimum of four courses of the above course work shall be in the criminal justice field.

2. Masters students shall be enrolled at the time of application in a Masters program in the Criminal Justice field at Iowa State University, have completed four courses, and have a minimum GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale. Up to three undergraduate courses in Criminal Justice may be used to satisfy the four-course requirement. These courses must equate to a 3.4 GPA or higher, and the cumulative undergraduate degree program GPA is a 3.2 or higher. In addition, all Masters level coursework must equate to a 3.4 GPA or higher at the institution in which the student is enrolled.

3. Doctoral Students shall be enrolled at the time of application in a Ph.D. program in the Criminal Justice/ related field at Iowa State University, have completed four courses, have a minimum GPA of 3.6 on a 4.0 scale. Up to three Masters courses in Criminal Justice may be used to satisfy the four-course requirement. These courses must equate to a 3.6 GPA or higher, and the cumulative Master’s degree program GPA is a 3.4 or higher. In addition, any Ph.D. level coursework must equate to a 3.6 GPA or higher at the institution in which the student is enrolled.

4. Students enrolled in law school, must have completed their first academic semester with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

5. Transfer Members. Any Alpha Phi Sigma member who transfers to another college or university shall be accepted into the local chapter at Iowa State University and shall pay the local chapter fee, if any. After one term, the member shall be subject to all rules, regulations, and requirements of the Pi Epsilon Lambda chapter. Headquarters will not issue a new certificate of membership unless specifically requested by the chapter advisor and paid for by the member.