Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society is the largest and primary honor society of the two-year college. SC4's local chapter, Lambda Mu, is currently the oldest Phi Theta Kappa chapter in Michigan and won Most Distinguished Chapter at the international level in 2000. Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) recognizes the academic achievement of community college students. It provides opportunities for members
to grow as scholars, develop their leadership skills, perform community service and volunteer work, and cultivate networking connections and lifelong friendships. PTK members are highly desirable in college transfer applications, scholarships, internships, and careers. SC4's graduation rate is 22.3%, which is comparable to the national average of community college graduation rates. However, PTK members have a 91% rate of completing their associate degrees or transferring to a four-year college, and boast an average GPA of 3.6. Established in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa has a presence on almost 1,300 community college campuses in 11 nations. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges in 1929. More than 3.5 million students have been inducted since 1918, with approximately 250,000 active members in the nation’s community colleges. Lambda Mu is the chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at St. Established in 1961, Lambda Mu is a Five-Star Chapter of the Michigan Region recognized at the regional and international level. We have earned many awards in our 60 year history, many of which are visible in display cases in the SC4 cafe. Members must meet certain high academic standards and pay a membership fee. All chapters have different standards. At SC4, the standards are:
• 12 Credit Hours Completed (100 level or above)
• 3.00 GPA or higher
• A one-time $100 lifetime membership fee
The maintenance GPA, the GPA required to maintain continuous membership is also 3.00. Accepting membership in Phi Theta Kappa entitles members to a number of benefits.
• $90 million in scholarships to help you complete your associate, bachelor’s, and even master’s degrees.
• $46 million in transfer scholarships offered by 800 four-year colleges and universities across the country.
• Opportunity to wear Phi Theta Kappa graduation regalia.
• Official Phi Theta Kappa seal placed on your completed diploma and notation of membership on college transcripts.
• Exclusive PTK Connect™ tool, to search for transfer colleges and scholarships which fit you.
• Exclusive online PTK EDGE™ programs which offer professional skills sought by employers.
• Leadership and service experiences that will boost your resume, making you more competitive for both PTK and non-PTK scholarships
• Exclusive discounts with national partners, including NCLEX exams
• Opportunity to publish undergraduate research with Civic Scholar™ or academic essays and creative writing with Nota Bene™
• Personalized letters of recommendation on request.
