Phi Theta Kappa traces its beginnings to a Society that originated with six charter members under the name of Kappa Phi Omicron at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, in 1910. The Society continued to grow and in the spring of 1918 was one of many honorary groups in Missouri. At a meeting of the presidents of the Missouri junior colleges for women in 1918, it was decided to organize a new honorary society, chapters of which would have a common character, stand, and similarity of organization. The name Phi Theta Kappa was chosen, and the Society was incorporated in Missouri as a national organization. Founders modeled many aspects of the new Society after the prestigious senior college honorary society, Phi Beta Kappa.

The eight charter colleges of Phi Theta Kappa were Hardin, Stephens, Christian, Lindenwood, Cottey, Howard Payne, William Woods, and Central. The alpha chapter was established at Hardin College, but was later moved to Stephens College when Hardin College became a baccalaureate granting institution. Today, Cottey College, Nevada, Missouri, is the only charter college with an active Phi Theta Kappa chapter.

For the first six years, Phi Theta Kappa confined its activity to women's junior colleges, but in 1924 through constitutional amendment, the field of activity was enlarged to cover all junior colleges. In 1926, Phi Theta Kappa expanded beyond the borders of Missouri and into coeducational institutions. The American Association of Community Colleges recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges in 1929.

In 1930, Margaret James (Mosal) became the first elected national president of Phi Theta Kappa while attending Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi. She became national secretary in 1935 and moved the records of the organization to her hometown of Canton. Mosal served as Phi Theta Kappa's chief executive for fifty years, retiring as executive director in 1985.

In the early years, Phi Theta Kappa membership was conferred to students at time of graduation and few programs and services were offered. 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.

Today

Today, Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1.5 million members and 1,200 chapters located in 50 united states, U.S. territories, Canada, and Germany.

The innovative programs and services and array of membership benefits offered by Phi Theta Kappa are unequaled among honor societies. Co-curricular programs focus upon the Society's Hallmark of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship. It is estimated that 200,000 students participate in Phi Theta Kappa programs each year.

Annually, more than 90,000 students are inducted into Phi Theta Kappa. To be eligible for membership a student must complete a minimum of twelve hours of associate degree course work and generally earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Students must maintain a high academic standing throughout their enrollment in the two-year college, generally a 3.25 GPA. The average age of a new member is 29, ranging from 18 to 80. Part-time and full-time students are eligible for membership. Students pay a one-time membership fee of $45 (as of September 1, 2004). Chapters and regional organizations may also assess dues.

Scholarships

More than 600 senior institutions in 50 states and provinces provide more than $36 million in scholarships exclusively to Phi Theta Kappa members. Also, Phi Theta Kappa awards each year over $225,000 in scholarships to members and chapter advisors. These include the Guistwhite Scholarship program, which awards to members twenty $5,000 stipends for completion of baccalaureate studies. The Society also provides $80,000 in scholarships for members and faculty advisors to attend the Honors Institute. Chapter advisors compete for Mosal Scholar and Leader Awards, ten $5,000 stipends. International officers receive $2,000 upon completion of their terms of office and thirty students receive $250 each from the National Deans List. Phi Theta Kappa presents students one $1,000 and four $500 awards for winning writings appearing in the Society's honors anthology, Nota Bene. And most currently, the Society offers thirty $1000 Leaders of Promise scholarships to students pursuing an associates degree while enrolled at the community college.