Pi Sigma Alpha was founded in 1920 at the University of Texas; it is the national honor society for undergraduate and graduate students of Political Science. There are now over 500 chapters established in colleges and universities in the United States. 

Membership in an honor society is a worthy distinction in itself and as a measure of academic achievement can provide tangible advantage in a competitive world. All Pi Sigma Alpha members, regular and honorary receive a certificate of membership and permanent enrollment in the society's membership rolls, maintained by the National Office. 

Pi Sigma Alpha gives students the opportunity for valuable administrative experiences as chapter officers or organizers of chapter activities. Members are eligible to compete for the Pi Sigma Alpha Graduate Scholarship, the Graduate and Undergraduate Best Paper Awards, and a one-year student membership in the American Political Science Association, funded by the National Office for one student selected by each chapter each year. 

Qualifications for Membership
The purpose of Pi Sigma Alpha is to stimulate scholarship and interest in the subject of government by providing tangible recognition to students who have excelled in the field. 

Minimum standards for admission, established for juniors and seniors:

completion of at least fifteen quarter-hours or ten semester-hours of work in government, Political Science, international relations or public administration including at least one course not open to students in the first two years of collegiate work. 

maintenance of an average grade of B or higher in all Political Science courses. 

an overall academic standing in the upper third of the college class.

completion of at least nine hours of graduate work in Political Science 

maintenance of an average grade of B or higher in all Political Science courses. 

Programs
The life of the honor society is carried on mainly at the chapter level with coordination by the National Office. 

The National Office also administers the following programs: 

Programs for Pi Sigma Alpha Chapters and Students 

Annual Chapter Activity Grant Awards 

Scholarships for Graduate Study in Political Science 

Student membership in APSA (1 per chapter per year) 

Best Chapter Awards 

Best Chapter Advisor Awards 

Best Graduate Student Paper Award 

Best Undergraduate Class Paper Award 

Best Undergraduate Honors Thesis Award 

• Publication of Pi Sigma Alpha Newsletter 
• Franklin P. Burdette Award, for the best paper presented at the APSA Annual Meeting 
• Pi Sigma Alpha Best Paper Awards, for the best papers presented at regional Political Science association annual meetings 
• Pi Sigma Alpha Lecture at the APSA Annual Meeting 
• Pi Sigma Alpha Lectures at regional and state Political Science association annual meetings.