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Awards and Honor Societies
Thomas Edison State University awards academic honors at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Eligibility for all awards and honor societies is determined at graduation automatically. Students do not have to apply to be considered. There are academic awards and honors that are awarded by the University as well as those for which a graduate is determined to be eligible to apply if they wish to apply for membership.
The following awards and honor society are awarded directly by Thomas Edison State University and the award/honor society is recorded on the permanent Thomas Edison State University academic record/transcript. Graduates do not need to apply for the award or for honor society membership. Recipients are permitted to wear the academic award and honors cords/pins provided by the University at Commencement.
Dr. Arnold Fletcher was the University’s first vice president and played an instrumental role developing and leading the institution’s academic enterprise. Under his leadership, Thomas Edison developed its first degree programs, appointed its first Academic Council, created its first exam programs and courses and became a pioneer in prior learning assessment. The Arnold Fletcher Award recognizes Thomas Edison State University bachelor’s degree graduates for exceptional achievement in online learning. Award recipients are selected from each graduating class.
The following criteria must be met to earn the award:
- 51% of the credits earned at Thomas Edison State University toward the degree must be earned through Thomas Edison State University's online courses with a minimum of 10 courses necessary to be considered for the award.
- An overall Thomas Edison State University grade point average of 3.5 or higher
Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society was established in 1945 as a means of recognizing academic excellence for nontraditional students. Thomas Edison State University was accepted into membership by the society in 1996, with the establishment of the Lambda Tau Chapter.
For induction into this society, Thomas Edison State University bachelors degree graduates must meet the following requirements:
- have an overall Thomas Edison State University grade point average of 3.2 or higher
- have earned from Thomas Edison State University at least 24 graded credits of which 12 credits are in liberal arts/sciences
- members will be selected only from the top 20 percent of the group of qualified graduates.
Eligibility for membership in the following Honor Societies is determined by the University. The graduate is notified of eligibility who chooses to join the honor society if he/she wishes to do so. Membership in these honor societies is not automatic, nor is it recorded on the permanent Thomas Edison State University academic record/transcript. Only graduates who have chosen to be members are permitted to wear the academic honors cords/pins provided by the University or honor society at Commencement.
Sigma Theta Tau International was founded in 1922. Its vision is to create a global community of nurses who lead in using scholarship, knowledge, service and learning to improve the health of the world’s people. The purpose of the society is to recognize superior academic achievement and the development of leadership qualities; to foster high professional standards; to encourage creative work; and to strengthen commitment to the ideals and purposes of the nursing profession.
For more information, visit Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
Kappa Delta Pi is an honor society recognizing the academic achievements and professional accomplishments of educators worldwide. Kappa Delta Pi is one of the largest and most prestigious educational honor societies in the world. With more than 500 active chapters, Kappa Delta Pi is dedicated to the ideals of Fidelity to Humanity, Service, Science, and Toil. As part of its goal, KDP recognizes scholarship and enhances the professional development of its members. Thomas Edison State University’s chapter of Kappa Delta Pi was established in 2010.
For induction into the Alpha Zeta Epsilon chapter of Kappa Delta Pi at Thomas Edison State University, students must meet the following requirements:
- Matriculation in either the Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership or Master of Arts in Educational Leadership Program
- Have an overall Thomas Edison State University grade point average of 3.75
- Have completed at least 24 semester hours of graduate course work in Educational Leadership at Thomas Edison State University.
The John S. Watson School of Public Service has been approved as a chapter of the Order of the Sword & Shield National Honor Society. Established in 2010, the Order of the Sword & Shield Honor Society is the first academic and professional honor society dedicated exclusively to the disciplines of homeland security, intelligence, emergency management and protective security. Qualifying students in the School’s Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management and Master of Science in Homeland Security programs are invited to apply for membership.
Students applying to the Sword & Shield Honor Society must meet the following requirements:
- Completed 50 percent of the total number of credits required for degree completion in an undergraduate or graduate-level homeland security degree program.
- Students enrolled in the bachelor’s program must have a cumulative (GPA) of 3.25 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) for all credits currently applied to their degree program including transfer credits; or, be in the top 20th percentile of their class.
- Students enrolled in the master’s program must have a cumulative (GPA) of 3.50 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) for all credits currently applied to their degree program including transfer credits; or, be in the top 20th percentile of their class.
The Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society recognizes scholarship and achievement among students of business, management and administration. The creation of Sigma Beta Delta follows a 200-year tradition of honoring scholastic achievement in higher education. The Thomas Edison State University Chapter was established in 2009.
Students invited into this society at Thomas Edison State University must meet the following requirements:
- Students must be candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership or Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies.
- Students must have completed at least 24 letter-graded credits with Thomas Edison State University.
- Students must have a Thomas Edison State University grade point average of at least 3.5 and rank in the upper 20% of eligible candidates.
- Master degree students must have a Thomas Edison State University grade point average of at least 3.85 and rank in the upper 20% of eligible candidates.
The Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business recognizes scholarship and achievement among students in business programs. The creation of Delta Mu Delta follows the tradition of honoring business programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP). The Thomas Edison State University Omicron Nu Chapter was established in 2018.
Students invited into the Thomas Edison State University Omicron Nu Chapter must meet the following requirements:
- Students must be candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Human Resources Management or Master of Science in Management.
- Students must have completed at least 24 letter-graded credits with Thomas Edison State University.
- Bachelor degree students must have a Thomas Edison State University grade point average of at least 3.5 and rank in the upper 20% of eligible candidates.
- Master degree students must have a Thomas Edison State University grade point average of at least 3.85 and rank in the upper 20% of eligible candidates.
Thomas Edison State University’s honor society chapter candidate selection is yearly based on the University’s Commencement graduation cycles (December, March, June and September). If you meet the eligibility criteria for chapter membership the School of Business and Management will notify you.
Acknowledging academic excellence in undergraduate-level learning
To promote and reward the highest level of academic achievement, the President’s Award is reserved for undergraduate program students who have consistently displayed superior academic achievement during the course of their degree journey. To qualify for the award, students must:
- make the President’s List* a minimum of four times
- maintain a cumulative GPA of 4.0
- complete minimum of 24 graded credits** at TESU
Recipients of the President’s Award will have this extraordinary accomplishment reflected on their permanent record and official transcript. These distinguished students will also be recognized during their respective commencement ceremonies for their achievement with a special honor cord and a special notation in the commencement program book.
* Only students enrolled in undergraduate degree programs qualify for the President’s List.
** Excludes transfer credits and credits earned though prior learning assessment (PLA), including credit-by-exam options.
Acknowledging academic excellence in master’s-level learning
To recognize consistent academic excellence in students enrolled in Master’s programs, the President’s Award is reserved for students who have consistently displayed superior academic achievement over the course of their TESU degree journey. To qualify for the award, students must:
- obtain a 4.0 GPA for 6 graded credits** in a given term, for at least four terms
- maintain and graduate with a cumulative GPA of 4.0
- complete a minimum of 24 graded credits** at TESU
Recipients of the President’s Award will have this extraordinary accomplishment reflected on their permanent record and official transcript. These distinguished students will also be recognized during their respective commencement ceremonies for their achievement with a special honor cord and a special notation in the commencement program book.
** Excludes transfer credits and credits earned though prior learning assessment (PLA), including credit-by-exam options.
Toni M. Terry, BA
"I am 67 years old, soon to be 68, and to be able to say I did this at this day in my life is just gratification for my own self."