Phi Theta Kappa
International Honor Society
Of The Two Year College

Established in 1918 by Missouri two-year college presidents, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society serves to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and provide opportunities for individual growth and development through honors, leadership and service programming. Today, Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1.3 million members and 1100 chapters located in 50 united states, U.S. territories, Canada, Germany, and Japan. In 1929, the American Association of Community Colleges recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges.

At the time of its founding, Phi Theta Kappa was patterned after the prestigious senior college honor society Phi Beta Kappa. Thus, membership was conferred at graduation and few programs and services were offered to members. The explosive growth of community colleges in the 1960s led Phi Theta Kappa to expand its mission to reflect the nurturing philosophy of the institutions it served. Students were inducted as freshmen and study programs were offered. The complement of services, innovative programs, and membership benefits offered by Phi Theta Kappa today are unequaled among honor societies. The programs offered focus upon the Society’s Hallmark of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship. It is estimated that 150,000 students participate in Phi Theta Kappa programs each year.