Academic Honor Societies
Alpha Chi
Roger Williams University sponsors the Rhode Island Alpha Chapter of the Alpha Chi Scholarship-Leadership Honorary Society. Membership is by invitation to outstanding students who rank in the top five-percent of the junior and senior classes.
Alpha Delta Sigma
Alpha Delta Sigma is a national honor society sponsored by the American Advertising Federation. Alpha Delta Sigma recognizes and encourages scholastic achievement in advertising studies and is the only national, professional advertising honorary society in American higher education.
Alpha Phi Sigma
Alpha Phi Sigma is the only National Justice Honor Society for Criminal Justice Majors. The society recognizes academic excellence of undergraduate, graduate students of criminal justice, as well as Juris doctorate.
Alpha Sigma Lambda
Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society was founded in 1945-46 to recognize adult students in continuing higher education who achieve academic excellence while managing responsibilities to family, work and community. Inductees of Roger Williams University’s chapter, Rho Alpha, must be matriculated and have a minimum of twenty-four graded semester hours in an undergraduate degree program at Roger Williams University. Members shall be selected only from the highest ten percent of their class and must have a minimum grade point average of 3.2.
Beta Alpha Psi
Beta Alpha Psi is a prestigious honor society, particularly within the fields of accounting, finance, and information systems. It’s recognized for its focus on academic excellence and professional development, offering valuable networking opportunities and career support to its members.
Beta Beta Beta
Beta Beta Beta is a national honor society in the biological sciences. The Theta Gamma Chapter was established at Roger Williams University in 2003. The society emphasizes stimulation of scholarship, dissemination of scientific knowledge, and promotion of biological research. Regular membership is by invitation to upper-level biology, marine biology , environmental science, and public health majors who have maintained at least a 3.3 GPA in their biology courses. Associate membership is available to any student with an interest in the biological sciences.
Beta Gamma Sigma
Beta Gamma Sigma is the honor society serving business programs accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest recognition a business student anywhere in the world can receive in a business program accredited by AACSB International. Juniors and Seniors in the top 10% of their respective classes are invited to join.
Eta Sigma Phi
Eta Sigma Phi is the national honorary collegiate society for students of Latin and/or Greek. Established in 1914, the purposes of the Society are to develop and promote interest in classical study among the students of colleges and universities; to promote closer fraternal relationship among students who are interested in classical study; to engage generally in an effort to stimulate interest in classical study, and in the history, art, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome. To be eligible, students must complete at least six credits in Latin, Greek or Classics related field.
Gamma Kappa Alpha
The Gamma Kappa Alpha, National Italian Honor Society, acknowledges exceptional academic performance in Italian language, literature, and culture and is open to membership at institutions of higher learning in the United States and Canada.
Lambda Epsilon Chi
Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX) is the national honor society in paralegal studies. LEX recognizes students who have demonstrated superior academic performance in an established, qualified program of paralegal studies. Roger Williams University qualifies as a member in good standing of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAPE).
Lambda Pi Eta
Lambda Pi Eta is the national honor society for undergraduate students who have achieved academic excellence in Communication. The society promotes professional development and scholarship in Communication that emphasize social justice in local and global communities. Inductees of Roger Williams University’s chapter, Alpha Gamma Rho, must have junior standing with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, and at least a 3.25 GPA in their Communication courses.
Phi Alpha Theta
Phi Alpha Theta, the professional History Honor Society, promotes the study of history through research, good teaching, publication, and exchange of learning and thought. It brings together, both intellectually and socially, students, teachers, and writers of history. To be eligible for membership, students must complete at least 12 credits in history, must possess the requisite GPA, and must rank in the top third of the class.
Phi Beta Delta
Phi Beta Delta is the premier honor society dedicated to scholarly achievement in international education, founded in 1987. Phi Beta Delta honors those who serve internationalism-the idea of an interconnected world, of respect for different traditions, of the need for education to enhance one’s knowledge and understanding of the many regions and cultures around the globe. The Epsilon Rho
chapter was established at Roger Williams University in 2007. Membership is open to students, faculty and staff with high academic achievement and a demonstrated interest or involvement in international or intercultural affairs. Specific criteria are stated in the applications for membership, which are due by the first day of October.
Pi Delta Phi
Pi Delta Phi is the National French Honor Society for undergraduate and graduate students at accredited public and private colleges and universities in the United States. The highest academic honor in the field of French and the oldest academic honor society for a modern foreign language in the United States, Pi Delta Phi was founded as a departmental honor society at the University of California at Berkeley in 1906. The Society was nationalized when the Beta Chapter was established at the University of Southern California in 1925. The society was admitted to membership in the Association of College Honor Societies® (ACHS) in 1967, and was officially endorsed by the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) as the only collegiate French honor society in 1949. There are currently more than 400 chapters of the Society in the United States and two representative chapters at the American Universities in Paris and Aix-en-Provence in France.
Pi Sigma Alpha
The Phi Lambda chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, was established at Roger Williams in 1997. Founded in 1920, Pi Sigma Alpha promotes interest and scholarship in the subjects of politics, government, and international relations by providing recognition and support to students who have excelled in the field. Membership is open to juniors and seniors who have completed at least six courses in political science, maintaining a 3.4 GPA in political science courses and a 3.3 GPA overall. The national organization offers opportunities for scholarships, grants, and awards for academic achievement, and the local chapter sponsors co-curricular activities, which provide a forum for research and the exchange of ideas in the discipline.
Psi Chi
Membership to the Roger Williams University Chapter of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology, is open to psychology majors and minors who have completed at least 12 credits in psychology, and have maintained a 3.5 GPA in psychology, as well as an overall GPA of 3.3. Established in 1978, Psi Chi encourages and stimulates students to achieve and maintain excellence in scholarship and in the science of psychology.
Sigma Delta Pi
Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, was established on November 14, 1919, at the University of California in Berkeley. Sigma Delta Pi is the only honor society devoted exclusively to advance students of Spanish in four-year colleges and universities. The society honors those who seek and attain excellence in the study of the Spanish language and in the study of the literature of the Spanish-speaking peoples and encourages college and university students to a deeper understandingof Hispanic culture.
Sigma Iota Rho
The Epsilon Mu chapter of Sigma Iota Rho, the international honor society for international relations, was established in 2008 to promote and reward scholarship and service among students and practitioners. The motto of Sigma Iota Rho is “Synesi, Ideodoi, Rhomi” meaning “Prudence, Ideals, and Power” - three of the key elements of international affairs. The chapter motto is “Episteme Mundi” meaning “Knowledge [of the] World.” Juniors or seniors who meet the standards of a 3.3 cumulative GPA and a 3.4 GPA in a minimum of seven International Relations courses (including two at the 300 level or above) are eligible for membership. Membership in Sigma Iota Rho is intended not only to enhance the credentials of its members, though public recognition of the best and the brightest students in international relations, but is meant to encourage a lifelong devotion to a better understanding of the world we live in and to continuing support for and engagement in education, service, and occupational activities that reflect the highest standards of practice in international affairs. The chapter sponsors co-curricular activities. The National Organization sponsors a journal and other activities for students and practitioners..
Sigma Lambda Chi
Sigma Lambda Chi, the international construction honor society, provides recognition to outstanding students in the Construction Management major for their academic accomplishments. Membership is by invitation to majors who possess the requisite grade point average.
Sigma Tau Delta
Sigma Tau Delta, the international English Honor Society, confers distinction for high achievement in English literature and language, promotes interest in literature and language on campus and in the surrounding communities, and fosters the discipline of English in all its aspects, including creative and critical writing. The Alpha Alpha Nu chapter, established at Roger Williams University in 1990, invites English majors and minors who have completed three semesters of course work, including three English courses, and who maintain a high GPA.
Tau Sigma Delta
Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society is the national collegiate honor society in architecture, landscape architecture and the allied arts, whose prime objective is to celebrate excellence in scholarship, to stimulate achievement, and to reward students who attain high scholastic standards. RWU’s Beta Tau chapter of the Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society was established in 1989. Tau Sigma Delta’s motto, “Technitai Sophoikai Dexioti” means “Craftsmen, Skilled and Trained.” Membership is open to undergraduate and graduate students who have achieved a minimum 3.0 GPA by the mid-point of their program and are in the top 20% of their class. Eligible students may be drawn from the BS in Architecture, BA in Art and Architectural History, Individualized Major in Preservation Studies, Master of Architecture, MS in Preservation Practices, and MS in Real Estate.
The Three-Plus-Three Program
Outstanding students who qualify for this special program may be able to complete all requirements for a baccalaureate degree and the Juris Doctor degree in six years.
Full-time students who matriculate at the University in their freshman year and who maintain superior academic records with outstanding academic averages and superior scores on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) may apply to the School of Law at the end of their junior year, substituting the first year of work in the School of Law for up to 30 credits of free electives for the Bachelor of Arts degree. Students who apply must meet the following conditions:
- A student must have earned at least 90 credits in three years of study at Roger Williams University before beginning at the School of Law.
- All Core Curriculum requirements and major requirements must be met within those 90 credits.
- The student’s cumulative grade-point average must be at least 3.0 with no grade lower than a C (2.0).
- The student must achieve an LSAT score that is at or above the School of Law’s median accepted score for the previous year.
In completing the first year of work in the School of Law, a student in the Three-Plus-Three program must pass all law courses with a grade-point average of at least 2.0. It is mandatory that all non-law academic work toward the combination degree be completed before any work in law is undertaken.
Those interested in pursuing the Three-Plus-Three Program must contact the Dean of Admissions at the School of Law and either the Dean of the School of Justice Studies or the Dean of the Feinstein College of Arts and Sciences, no later than the end of the freshman year. This program is not
available to transfer students.
Those interested in pursuing the Three-Plus-Three Business Law Program must contact the Dean of the Mario J. Gabelli School of Business no later than the end of the freshman year. This program is not available to transfer students. Details of the Three-Plus-Three Business Law Program are found with the School of Business majors in this catalog.
Three-Plus-Four in Biology-PharmD and Chemistry-PharmD Dual Degree Programs
Roger Williams University has partnered with Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS Vermont Campus) to provide a dual Chemistry or Biology-PharmD degree program. Chemistry fulfills a significant role for students in health science programs, the Department of Chemistry and Physics administers the university’s prepharmacy
program through its introductory and advanced courses in chemistry and physics. Outstanding students who qualify for this special program may be able to complete all requirements for a baccalaureate degree in Chemistry (B.S. or B.A.) or Biochemistry (B.S.) or Biology (B.S. or B.A.) and the Doctor of Pharmacy degree in seven years, as opposed to the traditional eight-year period of study.
Students who matriculate at ACPHS must meet the following conditions:
- A student must have earned at least 90 credits in three years of study at Roger Williams University before beginning at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (Vermont campus).
- A student must successfully complete the required Pre-pharmacy courses at Roger Williams University, as specified in this catalog.
- All Core Curriculum requirements and pre-pharmacy course requirements must be met within those 90 credits.
- The student’s cumulative grade-point average must be at least 3.0. No grade lower than a C (2.0) will count toward the 90 credits.
- The student must meet or exceed Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (Vermont campus) PCAT entry requirements.
- The student must successfully interview, submit a required background check and complete a writing assessment as determined by the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (Vermont campus).
Those interested in pursuing the Three-Plus-Four Chemistry or Biology-PharmD Dual Degree Program must show intent on their RWU college application. The potential candidates’ information will then be forwarded and vetted by the admissions office of ACPHS for acceptance into the dual degree program. Acceptance into the program is based on SAT, class rank, GPA for ACPHS course requirements and NYS regents scores if available. More details can be found in ACPHS Catalog. Once accepted into the Three-Plus-Four Chemistry or Biology-PharmD Dual Degree Program you must contact the Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics at the beginning of your freshman fall semester for correct advisement. Further details of the Three-Plus-Four for Chemistry or Biology-PharmD Dual Degree Program are found with the Chemistry and Biology majors’ description in this catalog. This program is not available to transfer students.
Internships and Practicums
The Internship and Practicum Programs are managed by the Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) and provide students the opportunity to work within and outside the University. Directed by an external supervisor and faculty sponsor, internships are oriented toward specific career and professional development goals and must be academically significant. To enroll and earn academic credit, students must meet the following criteria:
- Completion of freshman year (transfer students must complete one semester at RWU)
- 2.0 GPA or higher
- Students must be in “Good Standing” with the University
- Free elective remaining in academic program when applicable
- Completion of the mandatory Career Planning Seminar offered through the CCPD
- Assignments must be of sufficient duration, typically 135 hours, and must be considered a meaningful part of the academic program in which the student is enrolled.
An internship/practicum experience is required by the following majors/minors: Accounting, Arts Management (minor), Creative Writing, Communication and Media Studies (internship or thesis), Cybersecurity & Networking, Educational Studies (not coordinated through the CCPD), Graphic Design, International Business, Journalism, Legal Studies, Legal Studies & Law (3 + 3), Management, Security Assurance Studies, Psychology, Public Health, Public Relations, Visual Arts and Web Development.
The Center for Career & Professional Development supports all students who wish to participate in an internship, required or not. For additional information, visit ccpd.rwu.edu.
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