What is Psi Chi?
Psi Chi is the National Honor Society in Psychology. It was established in 1929 for the purposes of “encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology.” For more information about the history and purpose of Psi Chi, visit the official Psi Chi website.
Who Are the Psi Chi officers?
The Psi Chi officers are responsible for planning events for both members and non-members, as well as determining who is eligible for membership. Officers usually include one faculty advisor, as well as three upperclassmen who are elected each spring for the entire upcoming year.
The Psi Chi officers for the 2020-2021 school year are:
- President: Lilian Rangel ‘21
- VP: Shania Sharma ‘22
- Primary Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ronald Riggio ronald.riggio@ClaremontMcKenna.edu
- Co-Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Feitosa jennifer.feitosa@ClaremontMcKenna.edu
- Induction date: Tuesday, 09/29/20 at 10:30 am. (Specific information will be emailed)
How do I become a member of Psi Chi?
Every spring, Psi Chi officers determine who is eligible for membership and invite these students to apply for lifetime membership and attend an induction ceremony taking place in late April. If you become eligible, you will be notified by mail and given a lifetime membership application to complete. The following are the minimum requirements for eligibility at Claremont McKenna:
- The student must be at least a second-semester sophomore.
- The student must have completed at least 9 semester hours of psychology courses at CMC.
- The student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in both psychology classes and in cumulative grades.
- The student must be in the upper 35% of his/her class in general scholarship (overall GPA). The GPA cutoffs for the upper 35% should be determined separately for seniors, juniors, and sophomores. 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.
What can I do with Psi Chi membership?
Psi Chi membership offers a number of privileges for undergraduates. Listed below are just a few of the opportunities you can take advantage of as a member:
- Subscription to the Psi Chi journal, “Eye on Psi Chi”. This is a fascinating publication highlighting some of the most cutting-edge research, controversial topics, and career-defining opportunities in the field of psychology.
- Submit research for presentation at conferences and for publication. Members have a number of opportunities to use the Psi Chi name when looking for pathways to share their research with others. The website lists upcoming conferences, many of which offer special privileges for Psi Chi members.
- Apply for research grants and internships. The Psi Chi website always keeps a list of psychology-related grants and internships offered throughout the country. Many of these opportunities are for undergraduates and offer chances to gain research experience in a variety of sub-fields. Please view the national Psi Chi Awards & Grants website or check out the Award and Grant Opportunities for Psi Chi Members overview here.
How will Psi Chi prepare me for my career?
Building a Network. The CMC Psi Chi chapter believes strongly that students in psychology should learn about the field not only through their classes, but through building connections with professors and with professionals outside academia. Every year, Psi Chi officers reach out to members and non-members alike by organizing symposiums where students can learn about the variety of research specialties held by CMC professors. Since CMC students tend to have particular interests in government, business, and law, Psi Chi officers also strive to connect students with professionals from a number of different organizations that use psychology research every day.
Internships and Volunteering. Psi Chi officers seek out internship and volunteer opportunities for students who want to acquire practical experience in psychology-related fields such as health care, clinical psychology, and law.