The Political Science Department at Providence College is the home of the Epsilon Chi chapter of the political science national honor society, Pi Sigma Alpha. Juniors with a GPA of 3.5 or higher (in Political Science), having completed no less than 6 courses in Political Science and Seniors having completed 6 courses in Political Science with a GPA of 3.4 or higher are eligible for membership. Typically, these students are those who participate frequently in class discussions, put extra time and effort in researching and writing papers, and take many upper-level courses and seminars in political science.

The Pi Sigma Alpha, Epsilon Chi Chapter, Class of 2005 at Providence College:



Pi Sigma Alpha began in 1920 at the University of Texas, and by 1922, the honor society had two more chapters. Today, Pi Sigma Alpha has over 650 chapters, making it the third largest academic honor society in the Association of College Honor Societies, a standards-setting organization. Each year, Pi Sigma Alpha inducts over 6,500 graduate and upper-level undergraduate students in political science. Benefits of membership include recognition of stellar academic work, awards for best papers, scholarships for graduate study, and access to a national network of political science professors, students, and scholarly activities.

Epsilon Chi at Providence College was founded in 1972. In 2004, Epsilon Chi was one of four chapters at schools with enrollment under 6,000 students to win the Best Chapter Award in recognition for its extraordinary level of activity and the dedication of its members to the goals of the honor society. Our chapter helps organize and administer department-sponsored events, including lectures, film screenings, and the popular annual pie-baking contest, held in the department's data center.

The 2007-2008 board
President: Sarah Duncan '08
Vice President: Nicholas Cote '08
Treasurer: Edward Stravato '08
Secretary: Amanda Silk '08

The faculty coordinator of the chapter's activities is Susan McCarthy.