Membership Election - Criteria
The Selection Committee shall elect Members-in-Course based upon candidates’ broad cultural interests, scholarly achievements, and good moral character. In assessing cultural interests and scholarly achievement, the Selection Committee shall be guided by the following criteria:
a. Liberal Coursework. At least three-quarters of the candidate’s undergraduate coursework must be in the liberal arts and sciences. Almost all courses in College of Business, Education and Engineering do not qualify as liberal arts and sciences. Some courses in the College of Arts and Health and Human Services (HHS); and in the Departments of Communication Studies and Journalism do not qualify. See this detailed list of accepted and non-accepted courses [XLS].
b. Minimum Number of Units. Juniors and non-graduating seniors must have completed a minimum of 75 total college units, including at least 60 units at CSULB. Graduating seniors and recent graduates must have completed a minimum of 60 total college units in residence at CSULB.
c. Minimum Grade Point Average. Juniors and non-graduating seniors must have a 3.80 minimum grade point average in all coursework completed at CSULB. Graduating seniors and recent graduates must have a 3.70 minimum grade point average in all coursework completed at CSULB.
d. Breadth. Candidates for election to Membership-in-Course must have demonstrated a reasonable breadth of coursework in the liberal arts and sciences outside of their major. The requirements of this subsection may be satisfied by having completed: (1) a minor, (2) a second major, (3) at least four upper-division courses distributed as a minimum of two classes in two different disciplines within the liberal arts or sciences other than in the candidate’s major, or (4) at least three upper-division courses outside of one’s major that are related to an interdisciplinary theme.
e. Rigor. The candidate's undergraduate record must have demonstrated sufficient rigor in courses as assessed by the sound judgment of the members of the Selection Committee. Mere completion of the requirements listed in this document shall not automatically qualify a student for election as a Member-in-Course unless the totality of the student’s academic record is rigorous in terms of upper-level courses.
f. Foreign Language Requirement. Candidates for election must demonstrate a minimum of an intermediate-level knowledge of a foreign language other than English either by: (1) successfully completing an intermediate-level language course other than English (RGRLL 201B or higher; SPAN 250 or higher; LAT 300 or higher, GRK 300 or higher, Asian Languages 200 or higher); (2) a score of 4 or higher on an AP World Language & Culture Exam; (3) submission of a high school diploma verifying that all instruction was conducted in non-English; or (4) validating intermediate proficiency through assessment other than AP exam with approval or administration from an appropriate CSULB faculty.
g. Mathematics Requirement. The candidate's undergraduate record shall include at least one course in college-level mathematics, logic, or statistics, with content appropriate to a liberal arts and sciences curriculum. However, review of math courses taken will note courses taken (and grade received) and reviewers will receive list of math courses, from least to most rigorous. Reviewers will make note about rigor and emphasis will be placed on the following courses and above: MATH 109; MATH 113; MATH 114; any basic calculus course including MATH 115, 119A, 122; MTED 211; STAT 108.
h. Good Moral Character. In keeping with the Founders’ interest in fostering not only academic excellence but also friendship and morality, invitation to Phi Beta Kappa should be extended only to persons of good moral standing and character.
