Phi Alpha Theta (ΦΑΘ) is an American honor society for undergraduate and graduate students and professors of history. The society has over 350,000 members, with about 9,500 new members joining each year through 860 local chapters. Phi Alpha Theta was established on March 17, 1921 at the University of Arkansas by Professor Nels Cleven. Cleven had become convinced in his time at the university that a fraternity of scholars (which would accept men or women) was important for the study of history. He invited students to a meeting to form the society (then called the "University Historical Society") on March 14, and the society was officially recognized on the 17th. In April, the decision was made for the society to be known by the Greek letters Phi Alpha Theta.   See more on the <a href="http://phialphatheta.org/about#sthash.RtjPVmex.dpuf" title="Phi Alpha Theta" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Phi Alpha Theta</a> page. Phi Alpha Theta was established on March 17, 1921 at the University of Arkansas by Professor Nels Cleven. Cleven had become convinced in his time at the university that a fraternity of scholars (which would accept men or women) was important for the study of history. He invited students to a meeting to form the society (then called the "University Historical Society") on March 14, and the society was officially recognized on the 17th. In April, the decision was made for the society to be known by the Greek letters Phi Alpha Theta.     Phi Alpha Theta is 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 and teachers together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote and assist historical research and publication by our members in a variety of ways.    All members of the honor society are inducted through the local Phi Alpha Theta chapter at their respective college or university.  A one-time initiation fee of $50 is required.  Of that $50, $10 stays with the local chapter to fund events and activities.  This fee includes a membership certificate and four issues of our journal, The Historian. Membership in Phi Alpha Theta is a lifetime membership. There are no additional annual dues or fees. Members who wish to continue supporting the honor society may do so by subscribing to The Historian and/or to our newsletter.   Undergraduate Students Undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours (4 courses) in History, achieve a minimum GPA of 3.1 in History and a GPA of 3.0 or better overall. A maximum of 3 credit hours of online, transfer, or AP credits may be applied to the membership eligibility requirement.  Membership is not limited to History majors.      <a href="documents/colleges/cls/Departments/History/Phi%20Alpha%20Theta/Phi%20Alpha%20Theta%20Application.pdf" title="phi alpha theta application" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fill out a membership application [PDF]</a> in the Nu Beta Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta at UW-Whitewater.  Please return that completed application, with the required fee to the Department of History, Laurentide Hall 5221, UW-Whitewater.     If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Karl Brown, UW-Whitewater Phi Alpha Theta (PAT) Faculty Advisor, at <a href="mailto:brownk@uww.edu" title="brownk@uww.edu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brownk@uww.edu</a>.