Department of Social Sciences

The purpose of the Sociology and Criminal Justice Society is to form a bond among students, teachers, the community and members of the profession. This relationship is designed to advance the scholarship and fraternity of its members, to foster integrity and professional competence, to promote the welfare of its members and to encourage intellectual advancement so that each member may enjoy a lifetime of honorable service.

Membership in SACS is open to any student or faculty member who has an interest in sociology or criminal justice and is dedicated to upholding the professional integrity of their chosen field. Members are expected to actively engage in fraternal and scholarly endeavors through participation in the organization’s activities.

To learn more, contact the department at 903.886.5332.

The Alpha Kappa Omega chapter of the national criminal justice honor society Alpha Phi Sigma was chartered at East Texas A&M University in 1997. Its purposes are to recognize and promote high scholarship among students actively engaged in collegiate preparation for professional services; to keep abreast of the advances in scientific research; to elevate the ethical standards of the criminal justice profession; and to establish in the public mind the benefit and necessity of education and professional training.

To be eligible to join Alpha Phi Sigma, Criminal Justice majors and minors must have:

1. A minimum GPA of 3.2 overall

2. A minimum GPA of 3.2 in completed Criminal Justice courses, including transfer credits

3. Completed at least one-third of the total credit hours required for graduation

4. Completed a minimum of four Criminal Justice courses

5. Rank in the top 35% of their class

Members pay a one-time national membership fee and nominal annual local dues, totaling $75 for the school year. A certificate and pin are provided to inductees as symbols of the distinction of membership. Honor cords, Honor stoles and/or Honor Medallions worn at graduation are also available for purchase. Initiation occurs twice during the school year during the Fall and Spring semesters.

Local membership: Students with a 3.0 GPA and completed at least two courses in Criminal Justice may join the local chapter and participate in all local activities. Upon reaching the national requirements, students may be inducted into the Alpha Kappa Omega chapter. Local dues are $25.00 per academic year.

JOIN ALPHA PHI SIGMA:

Alpha Phi Sigma Application

MORE INFORMATION:

For further information about Alpha Phi Sigma, contact James Purdon.

Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD), the International Sociology Honor Society, was founded on the East Texas A&M campus in 1963. Created to recognize outstanding scholarship in the field of Sociology, AKD is a democratic, non-secret organization dedicated to the scientific study of human society and the betterment of humankind. AKD sponsors a number of events and activities and often joins with SACS to sponsor guest speakers and other academic events in the department and on campus.

Eligibility Requirements:

Undergraduate Students:

• Must be an officially declared sociology major or demonstrate a serious interest in sociology within an official program of the host institution. Must be at least a junior (third year) by standards of the host institution.
• Sociology minors are eligible
• Shall rank in the top 35% of their graduating class in general scholarship. Must have maintained the equivalent of a 3.0 GPA in sociology courses taken at the host institution prior to initiation
  • If class rank is not readily available to a chapter representative, in lieu of class rank, students shall have accumulated the equivalent of an overall grade point average of at least 3.3 by a four point scale where: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0
• Must have completed at least four regular courses in sociology at the host institution prior to initiation (exclusive of extension or courses graded pass/fail)

Graduate Students:

• Must be officially admitted to graduate study in sociology at the host institution
• Completion of one half year of graduate study in sociology (i.e., one semester or two quarters or the equivalent academic unit)
• Graduate GPA of a B or better
• Continued matriculation in a program of study leading toward a graduate degree in sociology at the host institution

Membership is granted without regard to race, creed or national origin. Initiation is held twice a year: in November during the fall semester and April during the spring semester. Dues are $65 and include a t-shirt, certificate and a one-year subscription to Sociological Inquiry.

AKD members who would like to purchase an honor cord for graduation may do so by contacting one of the advisors.

Join Alpha Kappa Delta:

AKD Application Form (PDF)

More Information:

For more information about Alpha Kappa Delta, please contact one of the advisors: Dr. Julia Meszaros or Dr. Nicole Farris.