Phi Sigma Iota - Foreign Language Honor Society

Phi Sigma Iota is the highest academic honor in the field of foreign (world) languages. The Honor Society recognizes outstanding ability and achievement in the study of, or teaching of, any of the academic fields related to foreign (world) language, literature, or culture. These fields include not only modern foreign (world) languages, but also Classics, Linguistics, Philology, Comparative Literature, Bilingual Education, Second Language Acquisition, and other interdisciplinary programs with a significant foreign (world) language component.

The most immediate and permanent benefit of Phi Sigma Iota membership is national recognition of the level of achievement it identifies.

Phi Sigma Iota promotes the principles of dedication, enthusiasm, and initiative at both the graduate and undergraduate level by encouraging leadership opportunities in Chapter development and scholarship awards. The importance of continuing linguistic development is emphasized in our programs, publications, member services, and community connections.

Phi Sigma Iota has initiated over 50,000 members since its founding in 1917 and provides:

• a national network of colleagues
• participation in a learning community to broaden horizons
• local and national leadership opportunities
• publication opportunities in the Society’s issues of The Forum
• scholarship opportunities

Phi Sigma Iota is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies where there are additional opportunities for grants, scholarships, and preference for Federal Jobs – Entry at GS-7 level if all other requirements are met. Here’s a link to the Operating Manual page for the US Office of Personnel Management that gives the details http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp.See the annual salary chart (http://federaljobs.net/salarybase.htm) to find out what a difference this makes!

Members are eligible:

• for all membership programs organized or sponsored by the Society
• to purchase and wear special graduation honors such as stoles, cords, and tassels
• to apply for the scholarship programs offered by the Society
• to submit articles for publication in the Society’s annual magazine, The Forum

In addition, members at Rutgers:

• have the honor included on their official transcripts
• may apply for the Rutgers PSI Summer Study Abroad Scholarship

Eligibility Requirements for ALL Students at Rutgers:

• Current enrollment at Rutgers in one of the following fields of study as a major or minor (or specialty):
  • foreign (world) languages, including Classics and ESL
  • comparative literature
  • foreign (world) language education
  • bilingual education
  • linguistics
  • second language acquisition
  • any other interdisciplinary program with a significant foreign (world) language component

Additional Eligibility Requirements for UNDERGRADUATE Students at Rutgers:

• completion of at least one course in a foreign (world) language at the 200-level (5th semester) or above
  • if Rutgers does not offer a 200-level (5th semester) or above course in a less commonly taught language (LCTL), or one is not available through CourseShare of the BTAA, substitution of a course in English on the target culture(s), such as history, cultural history, or literature in translation, at the 300-level or above
• completion of 45 or more semester hours (credits) with a minimum grade point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale

Undergraduate application: https://go.rutgers.edu/PSI-Undergrad-App
Deadline for application: March 1 annually

Additional Eligibility Requirements for GRADUATE Students at Rutgers:

• attainment of a high degree of competence in at least one foreign (world) language
• completion of at least 12 semester hours (credits) of graduate work with a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in the programs mentioned above

Graduate application: https://go.rutgers.edu/PSI-Grad-App 
Deadline for application: March 1 annually

Professional Members: Individuals meeting the following criteria may be elected to professional membership: have made a distinctive contribution to the profession and (a) earned one or more degrees in foreign language and ranked within the top 35% of the class as undergraduates or 3.5 as graduate students and not been previously initiated into the Society, (b) earned one or more degrees qualifying them to work in the field and rank in the top 35% as undergraduates or 3.5 as graduate students, or (c) faculty of the university, after one academic year of teaching in that institution and having shown remarkable ability in their field as well as demonstrating support of the ideals of the Society.

Honorary Members: Honorary members shall be persons outside the field, excluding those who are employed in the field, who have made distinctive scholarly and research contributions to the study, use, or promotion of foreign languages and the ideals of the Society.

Professional/Honorary Member application: https://go.rutgers.edu/PSA-Prof-App 
Deadline for application: March 1 annually

The Phi Sigma Iota Merit Scholarship is an endowed scholarship that funds students who wish to study abroad during the summer. Applicants should meet the following criteria: 

• Enrollment in a degree-granting program at Rutgers
• Membership in Phi Sigma Iota
• Preference given to students who have:
  • been accepted in abroad options offered through Rutgers
  • not previously had the opportunity to study abroad or have little or no experience abroad, especially in the target language
  • outstanding academic achievements, including overall cumulative average, average in foreign (world) languages taken at Rutgers, and level of study completed

The Chapter may not grant scholarships each year should no candidates meet the criteria for selection.

The application includes:

• a brief essay of approximately 250 words that explains your reasons for wishing to study abroad and how this experience will benefit you
• a copy of a current Rutgers transcript (unofficial acceptable)
• two letters of recommendation from language faculty, at least one of which must address the applicant’s competency (written and oral) in the target language

Scholarship application: https://go.rutgers.edu/PSI-Scholarship-App
Deadline for application: April 1 annually