Members in course are elected to Phi Beta Kappa primarily on
the basis of broad cultural interests, scholarly achievement, and good
character.
The Phi Beta Kappa Society sets the minimum requirements
that must be met in order for a student to be considered for election. Beyond
the College’s graduation requirements under the Foreign Language capacity,
students whose mother tongue is English
must achieve intermediate proficiency in a foreign language that
is equivalent to a third semester course at Hendrix. Not all schools
cover material at the same rate, so not all third-semester language courses are
equivalent to Hendrix third-semester courses. Any student with questions
about using a transfer course to fulfill this requirement should feel free to
contact an officer of the chapter. Fulfillment of the College’s graduation
requirements under the Quantitative Skills Capacity generally satisfies the
minimum criterion in this area for Phi Beta Kappa eligibility, though
completion of one or more courses in mathematics is viewed favorably. At least
three-fourths of the degree program must be in liberal arts work, i.e., not applied
or professional work. Grades earned in applied or professional coursework are
not counted in the GPA for purposes of Phi Beta Kappa eligibility. Applied and
professional work includes all training intended to develop vocational skills
or techniques. These courses include, but are not limited to, applied education
and accounting courses.
Weight is given to the breadth of the program of study as
shown by the number, variety, and level of courses taken outside the major(s).
Weight also is given to the balance and proportion of the candidate’s degree
program as a whole. Therefore, exploration of areas outside the major(s) beyond
the minimum coursework required for graduation will strengthen a student’s
qualifications.
Members are elected during the spring semester each year. In
general, the Hendrix chapter considers only students who are in their last
semester prior to graduation or who completed their degrees the previous December
or August.