About Psi Chi

Psy Chi Graphic and symbol

The Psychological Science Department at Vassar College has established an active chapter of Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology. Psi Chi was founded for the purpose of “encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship of the individual members in all fields, particularly psychology, and advancing the science of psychology.”

Psi Chi provides academic recognition to its inductees by fact of membership.  On a larger scale, local chapters of Psi Chi offer a nurturing climate towards creative and professional development.  These local chapters provide programs designed to stimulate and nourish intellectual growth.  Annual national and regional conferences are held in conjunction with other psychological associations.  Psi Chi also offers research award competitions, certificate recognition programs and a quarterly newsletter.

At Vassar College, students are eligible to join the Psi Chi Honor Society if they meet the following criteria: The student must (a) be a Psychological Science, Neuroscience & Behavior, or Cognitive Science major; (b) have completed at least five units of credit in their major; (c) have earned an outstanding GPA in their major (3.75 or above); and (d) have earned a high overall GPA (3.7o or above). Invitations are sent in the Spring, so students are usually informed of their acceptance at the end of their third year.

Ultimately, Psi Chi’s mission is to advance the field of psychology and related fields. One way in which Psi Chi pursues this goal is by holding conventions for members to showcase their research projects. Psi Chi also provides a network of fellow lifetime members, and the opportunity to become a member serves as an incentive for students to devote themselves to their coursework.

The benefits of Psi Chi membership are explained in detail here.

Vassar is one of 1,100 schools with its own Psi Chi chapter. Founded in 1929, Psi Chi currently has over half a million members in the United States, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the Caribbean. The Society is affiliated with the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science.

 

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