University of Central Arkansas

The mission of Pi Theta Epsilon is to support the development of occupational sciences and the practice of authentic occupational therapy by promoting research and other scholarly activities by its members.

In this way, the organization serves not only the profession, but helps to insure quality health care services for the general public.


Purposes of PTE
The purposes of PTE, as stated in the society's Constitutions, are:

    1. To recognize and encourage scholastic excellence of occupational therapy students.

    2. To contribute to the advancement of the field of occupational therapy through scholarly activities, such as research development, continuing education, and information exchange between student and alumni members; and

    3. To provide a vehicle for students enrolled in accredited programs in OT to exchange information and to collaborate regarding scholarly activities.


Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to become a member of Pi Theta Epsilon, a student must meet the following requirements:

A. The Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) requires that specialized honor societies be established to recognize and encourage superior scholarship in a specialized field at either undergraduate or graduate levels.

        1. Election of new members shall include those who have demonstrated superior scholarship. Those who are eligible shall rank not lower than the highest 35% of their class in scholarship, shall have a GPA of at least 3.5 on a scale of 4.0 since entering the occupational therapy program and shall have completed the number of credit hours used by the institution to designate one full academic term equivalency in an entry-level baccalaureate or post -baccalaureate program in occupational therapy.

        2. An eligible student need not apply for membership in the semester in which she or he becomes eligible, but may apply any time until the beginning of the final academic semester/quarter prior to beginning fieldwork. A student must have at least one entire semester remaining after initiation before leaving for a fieldwork placement.

        3. A piece of scholarly written work, completed while enrolled in the occupational therapy program, shall be submitted as evidence of the applicant’s ability. The applicant shall also submit a short essay (250 words) stating why she/he wishes to join PTE. Uniform review criteria shall be established as PTE policy.

        4. Part-time students are eligible for membership. Part-time students are those for whom the total span of time allotted to complete all requirements for the degree program is greater than the usual number of required semesters or quarters. To be eligible, part-time students must have completed the number of graduate credit hours used by the institution to designate on full academic term equivalency in an entry-level post baccalaureate program in occupational therapy. GPAs for part-time students shall be figured separately for each student, relative to a current full -time class in the program. The several part-time students enrolled in the program shall not be considered as a "class" but shall have met all other eligibility requirements.

        5. Lapsed members (those who have not continued to pay chapter dues as alumni) may rejoin the local PTE chapter of their choosing by paying only the current year's membership fee. No reinstatement fees shall be charged by any local chapter. Membership in a local chapter automatically bestows membership in the national society.

        6. ACHS does not permit a national honor society to require membership in any other organization such as the American Occupational Therapy Association, American Student Committee of the Occupational Therapy Association.

B. Part-time students are eligible for membership. Part-time students are those for whom the total span of time allotted to complete all requirements for the degree program is greater than the usual number of required semesters or quarters. To be eligible, part-time students must:

        1.have completed the minimum number of credit hours required by the constitution (i.e. have attained second semester junior standing in the occupational therapy program, OR completed nine semester         hours in a master's program). GPAs for part-time students shall be figured separately for each student, not for all part-time students as a group.

        2. have maintained throughout his or her education, a GPA that is within the range used to select full-time students, and

        3. have met all other eligibility requirements.

C. Candidates will be reviewed by a Review Board comprised of the current PTE chapter President, the advisor and two alumni members or two PTE members from a support Chapter.

D. Nominations of student members shall be made by the Review Board. Election shall be by a majority vote of the chapter.

E. Pi Theta Epsilon does not discriminate against any prospective member on the basis of race, gender, religion, ethnicity, disability, or age.


To learn more about Pi Theta Epsilon, visit the national website at pithetaepsilon.org.

To view the Pi Theta Epsilon photo gallery click here.