Invitations to join are sent in Spring of each year, with an induction ceremony in April or May. There is a one-time membership fee, and membership is for life.
Since membership recognizes academic excellence and demonstrated commitment to intellectual exploration, inquiry and expression, eligibility is based on both coursework breadth and GPA. Students must have taken a broad array of courses across the liberal arts and sciences. Eligibility is limited to students working on their first bachelor’s degree; second-degree students are not eligible.
Most of the students who qualify for invitation to Phi Beta Kappa will do so only after attaining senior standing, but it is possible, by meeting particularly rigorous standards, to qualify for invitation as a junior. See below for those differential criteria.
- Language Proficiency as demonstrated by four years high school or four semesters in college of a language other than English
- Math Proficiency as demonstrated by completion of the Quantitative Literacy requirement Part A
- Completion of UWM’s general education requirements in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences (6 credits in each area)
- Credit Distribution: 45 completed credits in Letters & Science programs outside of the major; and
- For students being invited as seniors: 90 total credits in Letters & Science courses, at least 60 of which must be taken at UWM; and 24 completed credits in a single department or major program.
- For students being invited as juniors: 72 total credits in Letters & Science courses, at least 60 of which must be taken at UWM; and 18 completed credits in a single department or major program.
- Minimum GPA
- 3.75 overall GPA (including UWM and transfer coursework), and 3.75 GPA in just Letters & Science courses, for induction as a senior.
- 3.85 overall GPA (including UWM and transfer coursework), and 3.85 GPA in just Letters & Science courses, for induction as a junior
If you feel your circumstances warrant such special consideration, please contact UWM’s chapter President.