Eligibility

Sigma Pi Sigma chapters are restricted to colleges and universities of recognized standing that offer a strong physics major. The chapters receive into membership undergraduate and graduate students, faculty members, and a few others in closely related fields. Students elected to membership must attain high standards of general scholarship and outstanding achievement in physics.

Certain high numerical standards for admittance are established by chapter bylaws and the national constitution. Undergraduate candidates must be in the upper one-third of their class in general scholarship to meet the minimum standard that chapters may use. A higher minimum average is often established for physics and astronomy courses. Undergraduate candidates must have completed at least three semesters of full-time college work and at least three semester courses in physics and astronomy that can be credited toward a physics and astronomy major. Graduate students and faculty members may be elected at any time. Students who are not physics majors can be elected, provided that they meet the standards and have demonstrated an interest in physics and astronomy.

A chapter can elect to active membership qualified students and faculty members in nearby colleges that do not have a Sigma Pi Sigma chapter. Physicists in industry and government laboratories, as well as secondary school physics teachers, can be elected on the basis of their professional record.

Dues

Induction into Sigma Pi Sigma is a lifetime membership, with one-time dues of $54 paid at the time of induction. This fee includes a one-year membership in the Society of Physics Students (SPS) or a one-year extension of membership for current SPS members.

Dues includes the cost of the official lapel pin, a certificate of membership, and a membership card. There are no annual dues.

Inducting New Members

Chapter leaders are able to invite new members each year through our online induction system. If you are chapter advisor or administrator, please login below to send invitations, collect dues, and track accepted invitations under “Enrollment.” There is a new induction process, so be sure to read our updated instruction manual!

Any inquiries related to Sigma Pi Sigma inductions should be directed to sigmapisigma@aip.org .

Purchasing Insignia and Regalia

Sigma Pi Sigma merchandise will be available shortly. Please reach out to sigmapisigma@aip.org if you have questions.

In keeping with the high standards of Sigma Pi Sigma as a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, we ask that regalia are only purchased for current or soon-to-be-inducted members of Sigma Pi Sigma, or as gifts for those members.

Hosting an Induction Ceremony

You can find a virtual induction ceremony script and a PowerPoint template for a virtual ceremony below.

We can set up a Zoom meeting for your induction ceremony upon request using this form .

We have enlisted the help of honorary Sigma Pi Sigma members, the President of Sigma Pi Sigma, and the Director of SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma to provide personalized messages for your department upon request using this form .

Virtual inductions are a great opportunity to connect with alumni. Chapter advisers can fill out this form to request alumni contact information.