Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in the Social Sciences

Pi Gamma Mu promotes, encourages, and rewards scholarship and service among students and faculty members in all of the social sciences at Mason.  Benefits of membership include: The opportunity to publish scholarly work in International Social Science Review; access to potential scholarships and leadership opportunities; and the possibility of an increased entry-level salary if pursuing federal employment (GS-7 level positions).

Mason’s chapter Advisors and Sponsors are Vita M. Chalk from the CHSS Dean’s office, and Shannon N. Davis, Department of Sociology and Anthropology.

Membership and Fees

Membership applications will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the academic year, however students must complete their application for membership at least three weeks prior to an induction ceremony to participate in the induction ceremony. 

The spring 2020 Induction Ceremony and Virginia Mu Chapter Launch (originally scheduled to occur March 24th 2020) has been postponed due to cancelation of events held on campus during the spring 2020 term. Students that completed their membership application during the Spring 2020 term will be able to be inducted in the Chapter via a virtual induction ceremony in Early May (details forthcoming: Please check your email for details). Continuing Mason students will be invited for membership again early in the Fall 2020 term. 

Eligible students who meet the criteria below will receive an email invitation to join Pi Gamma Mu- Virginia Mu in either September and February. Additionally, if you believe you meet membership eligibility criteria and are interested in joining our chapter, you may complete the Chapter membership survey HERE at any time. Your application will be reviewed and your eligibility verified. Upon eligibility confirmation, qualifying students will be invited to complete their membership application in the CHSS Academic Affairs office, located in James Buchanan Hall 217. Applications can be completed during our business hours, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm weekdays.

Lifetime membership fee: $65 ($50 for admission to the national organization and $15 Chapter fees). Complete the Leadership Application Form (coming soon) to apply for an officer position for our Chapter.

Criteria for Eligibility:

  • Members must be an active Mason student who has completed at least 6 credits during the past academic year
  • Must have a Cumulative GPA of 3.50 or above
  • Must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program at Mason
  • Graduate Students: Must have completed a minimum of six semester hours in their current Social Science program
  • Undergraduate Students: Must have completed at least twenty semester hours/credits in the Social Sciences (as specified in Article 1, Section 4 of Bylaws). The faculty sponsors shall have wide discretion regarding which courses with significant Social Sciences content will count. Transfer and dual credit hours in the Social Sciences, accepted by the institution, may be considered once a student has completed one full-time semester at the institution from which chapter membership is sought.
  • Students must be in compliance with university policies on academic integrity
  • Students must have an average grade of "B" or better in all Social Sciences courses.
  • Applicants must rank in the top 35 percent of their respective class.

 

For questions on eligibility criteria or how to join Pi Gamma Mu, please email chapter representatives at: pgmvamu@gmu.edu

If you are a current Mason student who is a previous member of Pi Gamma Mu, you can join our Chapter. Please email the Chapter at pgmvamu@gmu.edu for more information.