Phi Alpha Theta

Beta-Lambda Chapter

Founded by Nels Andrew Cleven in 1921 at the University of Arkansas, the National Honor Society in History, Phi Alpha Theta (PAT), is a society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning.

Since its inauguration, PAT has grown to more than seven hundred chapters in fifty states. It has the distinction of having more chapters than any other accredited honor society, holding one of the earliest memberships in the Association of College Honor Societies. The total number of initiates since its inception is more than 240,000.

PAT is comprised of chapters from properly accredited colleges and universities. All students in these institutions who have completed the required number of history courses and are maintaining high standards in all their college or university studies are eligible for membership.

The Beta-Lambda Chapter at San Jose State University holds to these convictions. It is our goal to help history majors prosper by offering support in a relaxing and friendly atmosphere. If you have a question, please contact the PAT faculty advisor, Leslie Corona.

Mission Statement

We are a professional society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. We seek to bring students, teachers and writers of history together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote and assist historical research and publication by our members in a variety of ways.

Requirements for Membership

An undergraduate student must have completed at least twelve semester hours in history and must have a B-average grade or a GPA of 3.0 or higher in their overall history courses.

A graduate student must have completed at least one-third of the residence requirements for the Master's Degree before becoming eligible for selection to membership. Grades in all classes completed for graduate credit must be at least midway between the highest and second highest grade on the working scale, and no grade in the graduate record may be failure or its equivalent.

The Beta-Lambda Chapter encourages all students registered as either undergraduates or graduates in history to apply for membership in Phi Alpha Theta. Applications are available in the History Department office in DMH 134 or contact Leslie Corona.

Fall 2024 Phi Alpha Theta Officers

Weekly Meetings are held in DMH 135 on Thursday from 4:30PM - 5:30PM. Please contact PAT Officers for more information and how to join!

Check out the Phi Alpha Theta linktree for membership applications, the History club discord, and more! Phi Alpha Theta Linktree

Phi Alpha Theta Scholarships

1. The A.F. Zimmerman Scholarship of $1,250 is presented to a student member entering graduate school for the first time for work leading to the M.A. degree in history.
2. The Thomas S. Morgan Memorial Award of $750 is presented to a student member entering graduate school for the first time for work leading to the M.A. degree in history.
3. The William E. Parrish Award of $750 is presented to a student member entering graduate school for the first time for work leading to the M.A. degree in history.
4. The John Pine Memorial Award in the amount of $1000 is awarded to a graduate student member for advanced graduate study.
5. Four Additional Awards of $750 each are presented to student members entering graduate school for the first time or in the advanced stages of study.
6. The Phi Alpha Theta Scholarship. An additional $1000 can be awarded to an advanced graduate student member of the society for final work leading to a Ph.D. in history.