Nine Howard University students were led by Ethel Hedgeman (Lyle) into forming a sisterhood in 1908. Five years later, Nellie Quander and her gallant and visionary associates contributed the added dimension of an international organization and perpetual membership.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® is proud of her 1,024 chapters and nearly 300,000 members in more than 55 nations and all 50 states. Membership is by invitation only.
If you are matriculating as a full-time student attending an accredited four-year college or university, membership is obtained through an undergraduate chapter. Look for authorized and printed rush flyers to post on your college campus or visit your campus’ Office of Greek Life. Please read the Risk Management policies for your school and Alpha Kappa Alpha.
If you have a bachelor or advanced degree(s) from an accredited four-year college or university, membership is obtained through a graduate chapter. An active graduate chapter will extend an authorized and written membership letter of invitation upon approval of the official Membership Intake Process to prospective members. Please read the Anti-Hazing policies for Alpha Kappa Alpha.
General Information
By uniting individual efforts, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has built a strong, cohesive organization that positively impacts the lives of families and communities. The Sorority’s success is based on the depth of commitment, vision and confidence of its members.
Alpha Kappa Alpha seeks women who will promote, uphold, and extend its policies and programs. In return, the Sorority is a conduit through which individuals can grow and develop, personally and professionally, while simultaneously providing “Service to All Mankind.”
Membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is generally classified as undergraduate or graduate. In both classifications:
- Prospective members must have high ethical and moral standards;
- Membership can only be obtained by completing the Sorority’s official Membership Intake Process (MIP);
- Interested candidates should not participate in demeaning, degrading or unkind acts. Should members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority ask you to perform tasks or participate in activities other than those outlined in our MIP, they are in violation of the Sorority’s policies and practices and do not represent the values of the organization. This behavior will not be tolerated.
Membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will not be extended to:
- An individual who knowingly participates in activities outside of the official Membership Intake Process;
- An individual who knowingly participates in activities which are demeaning, degrading or demoralizing;
- An individual who knowingly submits falsified documents or credentials.
Undergraduate Membership
Requirements
- Matriculation as a full-time undergraduate student where the campus chapter is located; or matriculation as a full-time undergraduate student at an accredited school affiliated with an undergraduate city chapter in the community;
- Must have creditably completed* at least one grading period (or as defined by the college or university) as a full-time student at the institution affiliated with the chapter, immediately preceding submission of application;
*creditably completed is synonymous to earned full-time hours (12+ hours) for Spring or Fall session, whichever is applicable - A cumulative and semester average of C+, immediately preceding submission of application. (In those universities using pass-fail, required competency or good standing systems of grading, either shall be acceptable.)
- C+ is equivalent to a 2.50 on a 4.0 scale if the school does not have a plus or minus on the grading scale,
- Some chapters and/or schools may require a higher semester and/or cumulative average for undergraduate membership eligibility;
- Attendance at the official Rush.
Process
An official Rush begins the undergraduate membership process for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Rush information such as location, date and time of the activity is posted a minimum of two weeks in advance; however, the college or university may impose additional requirements that will impact the process. Any prospective candidate that does not attend Rush is ineligible for candidacy consideration at that time.
The Sorority’s undergraduate Membership Intake Process (MIP) begins when a candidate receives a Letter of Acceptance.
- There are no membership activities between Rush and issuance of acceptance letter;
- MIP activities prior to and after Rush are prohibited; however, the school can require that prospective applicants fulfill or meet certain conditions prior to seeking membership;
- Pledging is not a part of the membership process, and anyone who knowingly and willingly participates in pledging activities may be forbidden membership with the Sorority. Additionally, suspension and/or expulsion may result if it is discovered that an individual participated in pledging activities once a member.
For more information, click here to be rerouted to the international website.
Anti-hazing Policy
All existing and prospective members have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. These rights are enforced by punishing violations of the Sorority’s policies and procedures. A cornerstone of the Sorority’s Risk Management policy is the prohibition of hazing.Hazing has been prohibited in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority since the organization was founded in 1908. In 1999, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority reaffirmed its total opposition to hazing with the publication of a tougher anti-hazing policy and the implementation of new procedures to identify, investigate and punish incidents.
Hazing will not be tolerated in any form.
Definition of Hazing
Hazing is defined as an act or series of acts that include, but are not limited to:
- Physical acts, such as hitting, striking, laying hands upon or threatening to do bodily harm to any individual(s), while acting in one’s capacity as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
- Behavior which is directed against any individual(s) for the purpose of causing shame, abuse, insult, humiliation, intimidation or disgrace.
- A variety of prohibited practices, including but not limited to, “underground hazing,” “financial hazing,” “pre-pledging,” “post-pledging” or “post-initiation pledging.”
Hazing Policy Violations
Any individual or chapter violation of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Risk Management policy will result in suspension, expulsion or revocation of the chapter’s charter. A fine may also be imposed.
In addition, hazing activities may result in official discipline by a college/university or the imposition of civil and criminal penalties for individuals and/or chapters.
Undergraduate Hazing Complaint Form (writeable PDF)
Graduate Hazing Complaint Form (writeable PDF)
Source: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated International Website’s Prospective Membership Page.
