What is Phi Alpha Theta?
PAT is the national honor society for history. The society was founded in 1921. Today there are 830 chapters at colleges and universities across the United States. The society holds a national history conference for students and professors and supports a journal, The Historian, where students can publish papers and book reviews. Members include advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and professors. Marshall University’s chapter has had excellent membership enrollment over the years; the chapter welcomes all eligible students.
Marshall Chapter

Faculty Advisor: Dr. David Trowbridge
Office: Harris Hall 111
Phone: 304.696.2717
Email: david.trowbridge@marshall.edu

Why Join?
Membership in Phi Alpha Theta is evidence of your superior work in the field of history and is recognition of your belonging to a prestigious international society. Membership establishes your eligibility to be elected as a delegate to the regional and national conventions of the society, and to participate in the many scholarship and paper competitions which the society sponsors. At Phi Alpha Theta conferences members meet fellow history students in a professional atmosphere and have an opportunity to make professional contacts. Members also receive the local Phi Alpha Theta Newsletter, and other information that becomes available through the History Department and other members of the Marshall chapter. The Marshall chapter sponsors films, lectures, parties, field trips, and other activities.

Membership Requirements

Undergraduate students:

• a minimum of 12 hours in history courses (courses in which the student is currently enrolled can be counted);
• an average grade point of at least 3.1 in all History courses;
• an average grade point of 3.0 in 2/3 of the remaining course work.

Graduate students:

• must have completed at least 30% if the requirements for a Master’s degree, with
• at least a 3.1 average.

There is a one-time initiation fee and payment of chapter dues totaling $50.00, which must be paid by the time of initiation. The initiate will receive a year’s subscription to The Historian and a certificate of membership.

Membership Application Process

Please pick up an application form from Dr. Trowbridge.