Beta Gamma Sigma

Overview of Beta Gamma Sigma

The International Honor Society of Beta Gamma Sigma
Membership is the highest recognition a business student anywhere in the world can receive in an undergraduate, masters or doctoral program at a school accredited by AACSB International. Baccalaureate students enrolled in a program accepted by the AACSB International is eligible for consideration for membership if he or she is in the upper 10 percent of their class. Graduate students who rank in the upper 20 percent of their class are eligible, as well as those who have been previously inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma as undergraduates and who rank in the upper 20 percent of those receiving the masters degree, must be included in the 20 percent limitation.

Mission

The Mission of the International Honor Society Beta Gamma Sigma is to encourage and honor academic achievement in the study of business, to foster personal and professional excellence, to advance the values of the Society, and to serve its lifelong members.

Objectives

The Mission is supported by the five Objectives of the Society. These include:

  • Encourage and honor high academic achievement by students of business and management through chapters in business programs accredited by AACSB International.
  • Foster in Beta Gamma Sigma members an enduring commitment to the founding principles and values of the Society: honor and integrity, pursuit of wisdom, and earnestness.
  • Support the advancement of business thought and practice to encourage lifelong learning.
  • Enhance the value of Beta Gamma Sigma for students and alumni members in their professional lives.
  • Advance the visibility and reputation of Beta Gamma Sigma.

History

Beta Gamma Sigma was the first national honor society in business. In 1913 three separate societies—Beta Gamma Sigma from the University of Wisconsin, Delta Kappa Chi from the University of Illinois, and The Economics Club from the University of California merged to form one to honor academic achievement in business. In 1919 Beta Gamma Sigma was pronounced as the only scholastic honor society recognized by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and in 1921 Beta Gamma Sigma amended its constitution to restrict the installation of new chapters to collegiate schools of business which are accredited members of AACSB International.

A member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) Beta Gamma Sigma has inducted more than 500,000 students since its initiation.