Recognize and Promote Academic Excellence

Candidates for the Honors Program are evaluated on the basis of their scholarship, character, and professional potential. Those selected complete at least four Honors courses and write a senior research thesis in their major subject area. Honors courses actively involve students in problem solving and inquiry and emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to learning. The Honors Thesis is a major research project written under the direction of a faculty advisor. To complete the Honors Program, students must also maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.3 and attend Honors co-curricular activities.

The John D. Hatfield Scholars Program

John D. Hatfield, Ph.D., was the beloved provost and chief operating offi cer of the University of New Haven and, concurrently, the University’s first executive vice president. He came to help lead the University of New Haven in the next ambitious stages of its transformation, making great strides during a tenure cut short by ill health. He earned the affection and respect of the entire University community.

John Hatfield died on July 30, 2003, succumbing to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leaving his wife of 29 years, Dr. Deborah J. Wieder-Hatfield, and a sorrowful University community. Yet his memory will long be with us and serve as a beacon for progress in fulfi lling our mission to “make tomorrow” for our students today and for decades to come.

In that spirit, generous donors established The John D. Hatfield Endowed Scholarship to support students attending the University. Additionally, an anonymous major donor provided a gift to establish The John D. Hatfield Scholars Program, recognizing up to three seniors and three juniors who demonstrate exemplary academic and civic achievement and who are part of the University’s Honors Program.

Alpha Lambda Delta

A chapter of a national society that recognizes high scholastic achievement. The purpose of the organization is to promote a high standard of learning and to assist members in identifying and developing meaningful goals. To be eligible for membership, a student must complete a minimum of 27 earned University of New Haven credits with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.5 or higher and be enrolled as a full-time day student. Activities include an annual student/faculty tea and an initiation ceremony. Members schedule biweekly meetings to plan for a variety of educational, social, and service activities.

Alpha Phi Sigma, Alpha Tau Chapter

The nationally recognized honor society for students in the criminal justice sciences. The society recognizes academic excellence by undergraduates as well as graduate students of criminal justice. To become a member, a student must have completed one-third of his or her total hours required for graduation at his or her institution. The student must be recommended by the chapter advisor. Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 overall G.P.A. on a 4.0 scale and a 3.2 G.P.A. on a 4.0 scale in criminal justice courses. Students must also rank in the top 35% of their classes and have completed a minimum of four courses within the criminal justice curriculum. The Honor Society is open to those with a declared criminal justice major or minor. Graduate students are required to maintain a minimum of a 3.4 G.P.A. in both criminal justice courses and overall courses, on a 4.0 scale. Students’ must have completed a minimum of four courses within the criminal justice curriculum.

Alpha Sigma Lambda

Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society (Eta Zeta Chapter) is a nonprofit organization devoted to the advancement of scholarship and to the recognition of nontraditional students continuing their higher education. Potential inductees must be 25 years of age as of January 1st of the induction year, must be matriculated in their first bachelor's degree, have attained junior status with at least 24 credits completed at the University of New Haven, and have a minimum G.P.A of 3.5. Based on the above criteria, the highest 20% of eligible students are invited for inclusion into the ASL honor society.

Beta Alpha Psi

The primary objective of Beta Alpha Psi is to encourage and give recognition to scholastic and professional excellence in the business information field. This includes: promoting the study and practice of accounting, finance and information systems; providing opportunities for self-development, service and association among members and practicing professionals; and encouraging a sense of ethical, social and public responsibility.

Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honors Society – Lambda Gamma Chi Chapter

Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) is an honor society for students, particularly undergraduates, dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. For TriBeta, students with a 3.0 after completing 12 credits of Biology, or a related science, classes are invited into full membership in the society.

Beta Gamma Sigma

Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS), established in 1913, is the international honor society for the world’s best business students at AACSB-accredited institutions. Beta Gamma Sigma now has a network of over 810,000 members, and chapters in 32 countries. The University of New Haven College of Business received AACSB accreditation in May 2015, and received its chapter charter and inducted its first class of student members in April 2016. Only the top 10% of the undergraduate class and top 20% of graduate students are eligible for invitation to the honor society.

Chi Alpha Sigma

Chi Alpha Sigma is a nonprofit organization established to recognize college student athletes who earn a varsity letter in at least one sport while maintaining a 3.4 or higher cumulative G.P.A. throughout their junior and senior years. The governing board represents all levels of competition in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Chi Alpha Sigma’s mission is to encourage and reward high academic scholarship of college athletes at four-year accredited colleges and universities. The goals of Chi Alpha Sigma are to recognize outstanding academic achievement by intercollegiate varsity letter winners, to encourage good citizenship, moral character, and friendship among the high academic achievers in college athletics, to recognize and honor the individual athlete, his/her team, sport, athletic department, and college or university, and to mentor as well as provide leadership to other athletes.

Chi Sigma Mu

Chi Sigma Mu is the national honors society sponsored by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA). Since 2017, COSMA has recognized outstanding scholars throughout the United with both high GPA and excellent internships/service to the sport industry.

Delta Alpha Pi

The Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society’s Beta Lambda Chapter was founded on the University of New Haven campus in 2011.  The Honor Society presents an opportunity to change negative perceptions of disability by recognizing students with disabilities for their significant academic accomplishments.  In addition, this Honor Society facilitates the development of interpersonal, leadership, communication, teamwork, advocacy, and academic skills for students who choose to actively participate. 

Eta Kappa Nu

The Eta Kappa Nu Association (HKN), founded in 1904 at the University of Illinois, honors students who have displayed potential in electrical engineering, computer engineering, and computer science. Top-performing undergraduate and graduate students who have demonstrated scholarship, unimpeachable character, and a positive attitude are recommended for membership in the Association, whose mission is to help student members improve their organizational and leadership skills.

Kappa Omicron Nu, Nu Phi Chapter

The University of New Haven’s accredited Nutrition and Dietetics Program has a newly installed Nu Phi Chapter of the national honor society, Kappa Omicron Nu, which rewards students for excellence in scholarship, leadership and research in fields of human science. The Society promotes student and faculty dialog, an enriched intellectual environment, high standards of ethical practice and professional responsibility for the public good. Students who have completed 45 credits of study, including at least 15 credits at the University of New Haven, and a 3.7 cumulative grade point average (top 25% of their class) are eligible for induction into this nationally recognized honor society. Students may hold offices in the Nu Phi Chapter and complete community service projects that enhance the mission of Kappa Omicron Nu.

Legal Studies Honor Society

The purpose of the Legal Studies Honor Society is to recognize academic excellence and to promote justice and the rule of law, continued interest and scholarship in the study of law and law-related subjects, personal growth, ethical practices, professional competence, and public service.

Phi Alpha Theta

The Phi Xi chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the History Honor Society, began initiating new members in Spring 2016. The University of New Haven chapter sponsors many events including colloquia on campus and attending regional or even national conferences. Undergraduate students must complete at least 12 credits in History (4 courses) with a G.P.A. of at least 3.1 in History, have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or better overall, and be in the top 35% of their class. Membership is not limited to History majors. Graduate students should have completed a minimum of 12 credits towards their Master’s degree in History, have a G.P.A. of better than 3.5, and have completed approximately 30% of the residence requirements for the Master’s degree.

Pi Alpha Alpha - University of New Haven Chapter

Pi Alpha Alpha, administered by Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), is the global honor society for public affairs and public administration scholars. Membership requires a minimum GPA of 3.7 as well as a commitment to advancing excellence in public administration and public service.

Pi Tau Sigma

An honorary engineering fraternity which fosters the high ideals of the engineering profession. This fraternity also stimulates students’ interest in the activities of the Tagliatela College of Engineering. Membership in Pi Tau Sigma requires a G.P.A. of at least 3.5 and nomination by a faculty member.

Psi Chi

The National Honor Society in Psychology, founded for the purpose of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship and advancing the science of psychology. Membership is open to graduate and undergraduate students who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests and who meet the minimum qualifications.

Sigma Phi Alpha

Sigma Phi Alpha is the national honor society of the dental hygiene profession. Membership in Sigma Phi Alpha is comprised of elected dental hygiene educators and of graduates from accredited dental hygiene programs with high scholastic achievement. The purpose of Sigma Pi Alpha is to promote, recognize, and honor scholarship, leadership, and service among dental hygiene students and graduates of the dental hygiene program. Electees are encouraged to contribute to the advancement of the dental hygiene profession. Students in the final academic term of the dental hygiene program, who rank highest in scholarship, service and lead- ership and exhibit potential qualities for future growth and attainment, as recommended by the faculty members, shall be elected to membership. This membership shall be limited to ten percent of each graduating class and shall be selected from the upper twenty percent of the class.

Sigma Tau Delta

The Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society is an organization that fosters scholarly engagement in the study of English literature and language among undergraduates.

Tau Sigma

Tau Sigma is a society for students that have transferred from one institution (or institutions) to another, and have made high academic achievement during their first term. To be considered for membership into Tau Sigma, students must transfer to the University of New Haven from another academic institution with at least one full year’s academic credits at the prior institution. In their first semester of being a full-time student, one must have earned at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. The purpose of the organization, as stated in the constitution is: “To recognize the academic achievement of students transferring to the University of New Haven from another academic institution and to encourage and promote the students’ involvement at the University of New Haven.” On October 20, 2011, the University of New Haven was granted a charter to establish a chapter on our campus. We became the 92nd chapter in the United States.

Upsilon Phi Delta

The University of New Haven chapter of Upsilon Phi Delta is a selective national honor society for graduate students studying healthcare management and policy. Students selected for UPD must earn a 3.85 GPA after completing 18 credits in their MHA degree and demonstrate a commitment to service to the field of healthcare administration. The Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) oversees the national operations of Upsilon Phi Delta.

Upsilon Pi Epsilon

The mission of Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE) is to recognize academic excellence at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in the computing and information disciplines. It is the express purpose of UPE to promote the computing and information disciplines and to encourage their contribution to the enhancement of knowledge. UPE was first organized at Texas A&M University in 1967. It is the first and only existing international honor society in the computing and information disciplines.