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Alpha Kappa Delta/Zeta Chapter

Click here to download the Alpha Kappa Delta Application.

AKD History

Alpha Kappa Delta traces its beginnings back to 1920 at the University of Southern California, when the chair of the department of sociology, Dr. Emory S. Bogardus, proposed to the graduate students that they form a society where the students could become acquainted with each other's research projects and where they could meet informally with the faculty and staff for suggestions and criticisms.

Today, with thousands of members in over 440 chapters throughout the world, AKD is truly an international sociological honor society. The goal and purpose of AKD is reflected in its name, Alpha Kappa Delta, which was created by Dr. Bogardus. It represents the first three letters of three Greek words:

A: Anthropon (mankind)
K: Katamanthaneion (to investigate or research)
D: Diakonesein (for the purpose of service)

As a result, Alpha Kappa Delta strives to promote the study of social issues and serve humankind, while at the same time providing an extracurricular outlet for students interested in the study of sociology.

Come Join Us!

To be eligible for membership in this Honor Society, you must have 12 or more completed hours (current course work not applicable) of Sociology classes. The minimum GPA requirement includes a 3.0 in Sociology and a 3.0 GPA overall.

Application Procedures:

  • Completion of the application form --- available online [Alpha Kappa Delta Application] or from the Department's Main Office, 430 Park Hall.
  • A check made payable to Alpha Kappa Delta in the amount of $41.00.
  • Finally, return the completed and signed form and your check for $41.00 to the Department of Sociology, located in room 430 of Park Hall.

Membership Benefits Include:

  • A one-year subscription to Sociological Inquiry, the official journal of the International Honor Society.
  • A Certificate of life-time membership in Alpha Kappa Delta. The chance to participate in a variety of national, regional, & local activities of the society.
  • The chance to make contacts with both your fellow sociology students and departmental faculty.
  • The ability to become a part of an organization that is interesting, fun, and looks good on your resume.