The purpose of Phi Alpha Honor Society is to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote humanitarian goals and ideals. Phi Alpha fosters high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work.

Undergraduate Qualifications

An undergraduate student is eligible for membership after achieving the following national requirements and meeting local chapter requirements:

• declared Social Work as a Major; 
• achieved Sophomore status;
• completed 9 semester hours (12 quarter hours) of required social work courses;
• achieved an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
• achieved a 3.3 GPA in required social work courses; and
• completion of 10 documented volunteer hours, in a social work or social service setting, completed within 6 months prior to application. Please note that service hours completed as a course requirement do not count towards the required 10 hours.
• Given the current pandemic, virtual service hours are strongly recommended. Please be mindful of your health and others.

Graduate Qualifications

A Graduate/Doctoral student is eligible for membership after achieving the following national requirements and meeting local chapter requirements.

• completed one term of course work with the minimum number of social work credits as determined by local chapter;
• achieved a minimum GPA of 3.5 based on a 4.0 scale; and
• completion of 10 documented volunteer hours, in a social work or social service setting, completed within 6 months prior to application. Please note that service hours completed as a course requirement do not count towards the required 10 hours.
• Given the current pandemic, virtual service hours are strongly recommended. Please be mindful of your health and others.

Additional Recognition for Ongoing Members

Ongoing members (undergraduate or graduate) may apply for additional recognition of volunteer/ service efforts after meeting local chapter requirements.

• currently hold Phi Alpha Membership (from UNCP charter or other accredited social work program charter);
• currently accepted and enrolled UNCP BSW or MSW student;
• current overall grade point average at or above 3.0 for BSW students (3.3 in social work courses) and at or above 3.5 for MSW students;
• completion of 10 documented volunteer hours, in a social work or social service setting, beyond those previously submitted for membership to Phi Alpha (Please note that service hours completed as a course requirement do not count towards the required 20 hours).
• Given the current pandemic, virtual service hours are strongly recommended. Please be mindful of your health and others.
• attendance/participation at a minimum of one chapter meeting and one chapter event per semester.

Application Process and Forms

Applications are accepted each Spring Semester by April 5 and each Fall Semester by October 15. Please see the applications for submission instructions. Please submit applications electronically to the faculty advisor (See contact info below). Please put Phi Alpha Application in the subject line of the email sent to the faculty advisor. Attendance at the induction ceremony is required for recognition.

Contact

For more information please contact faculty advisor: