Prestigious Recognition

More Than a Century of Celebrating Students

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is widely considered one of the nation's most prestigious academic honor societies. Founded in 1918 at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, and recognized in 1929 as the official honor society for two-year colleges by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), PTK has a long-standing tradition of helping students grow as scholars and leaders.

Supporting Student Success

The overall success rate of Phi Theta Kappa members is 91%. This is more than double the success rates of other community college students, and when compared to students with the same grades who did not join PTK, PTK members were almost 30% higher.

Phi Theta Kappa members have a proven track record of success. It is our mission to propel you forward academically, professionally, personally, and socially. See how PTK students stack up in our Student Success Profile.

Who Gets Invited?

Phi Theta Kappa's membership is generally the top 10% of students attending community college. We are proud that almost 1/3 of our members have 4.0 GPAs. Here are the general qualifications at most colleges.

Enrollment in a college with a Phi Theta Kappa chapter.
Completion of at least 12 hours of coursework toward an associate or bachelor’s degree or 6 hours towards a certificate of one year.
Typically, a GPA of 3.5 or higher is required to be invited. Some colleges have a higher GPA requirement, while others have a lower requirement.

To learn about the eligibility requirements for your local chapter, contact your chapter advisors. Find your advisor's contact info using the Chapter Directory.

Co-curricular Transcript and Letter of Recommendation

At Phi Theta Kappa, we understand the importance of showcasing your achievements and skills to potential employers and educational institutions. That's why we offer co-curricular transcripts and letters of recommendation as a key member benefit.

Our co-curricular transcripts (sample here) are more than just a formality—they are a comprehensive showcase of your involvement and accomplishments within our Society. These transcripts, along with your letter of recommendation highlight:

Your participation in professional development coursework: Every program and initiative you engage with is documented, reflecting your commitment to growth and learning.

Leadership Positions: Whether you lead at the chapter, region, or international level, your leadership roles are prominently featured, demonstrating your ability to inspire and manage.

Scholarship Awards: Phi Theta Kappa offers competitive scholarships that reward academic excellence and leadership among its members.

Hallmark Awards: As an active member of PTK, you (and your chapter) may be recognized for your outstanding efforts in leadership, service, and undergraduate research.

Notable PTK Members

Phi Theta Kappa members go on to make noteworthy contributions to our world every day, in every field. Here are just a few of the more than 4 million PTK members whose accomplishments you may recognize.

Wes Moore, governor of Maryland, Valley Forge Military College, Wayne Campus, Delta Epsilon Chapter
Trisha Yearwood, Grammy Award-winning singer, chef, and author, Young Harris College, Main Campus, Lambda Alpha Chapter
Fred Haise, Apollo-13 astronaut, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Perkinston Campus, Gamma Nu Chapter,
Dr. Sylvia Earle, oceanographer and explorer; record-setting diver, St. Petersburg College, Gibbs Campus, Eta Nu Chapter
David Gruel, flight director for the Mars Pathfinder Project, Holyoke Community College, Main Campus, Alpha Xi Omega Chapter,
Lee Sword, Mars Pathfinder Project engineerPima Community, College District Office, Alpha Beta Chi Chapter
Jeane Kirkpatrick, former U.N. ambassador, Stephens College, Alpha Chapter
Ross Perot, Main Campus, Zeta Sigma Chapter, entrepreneur and presidential candidate, Texarkana College
Sela Ward, Emmy Award-winning actress, Meridian Community College, Main Campus, Nu Upsilon Chapter
Jim Lehrer, longtime host of PBS News Hour, Victoria College, Main Campus, Zeta Gamma Chapter

Celebrating Our First 100 Years: Where Tradition Meets Innovation

At Phi Theta Kappa, we take pride in being the oldest honor society for community college students. But don't let our age fool you—we're anything but old school. For the past century, we've been dedicated to recognizing and promoting academic excellence, leadership, and service. And while our history is deep, our approach is fresh and forward-thinking.

We blend tradition with cutting-edge opportunities to ensure you're equipped with the skills and experiences needed for today's world. From innovative programs and digital engagement to a community that embraces change, we're constantly evolving to meet the needs of our members.

Join us as we celebrate 100 years of excellence and look ahead to the next century of inspiring and empowering community college students just like you.

Prestigious Recognition