About Us

Criminal Justice Honor Society History & Excellence

In September 1941, the president of Washington State University asked Dr. Vivian Anderson (V.A.) Leonard, if he would accept the directorship of a police science academic program at Washington State. Dr. Leonard accepted the offer and became responsible for developing a four-year curriculum, which would lead to a bachelor's degree in police administration.

Upon his arrival at Washington State, Dr. Leonard began to realize how important it was that a police science honorary be established. The purpose of this honorary would be to promote excellence in scholarship and performance. In January 1942, Dr. Leonard met with seventeen police science majors at Washington State, and Alpha Phi Sigma was established. Glenn Hill was elected as the first president and appointed a committee to draft the first constitution and Bylaws.

During its initial years, Alpha Phi Sigma experienced only limited growth. On March 24, 1976, in Dallas, Texas, the Executive Board of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) voted unanimously to designate Alpha Phi Sigma as the National Criminal Justice Honor Society. At this time, Alpha Phi Sigma had only fourteen chapters; however, since then, Alpha Phi Sigma has continued to grow and prosper at a very rapid rate, and there are now over four hundred and fifty chapters in the United States, its territories, and Canada.

In 1981, Alpha Phi Sigma was admitted into the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) as a certified member.

Over the years, the National Office has been located at universities across the country, such as Boise State University, Eastern Kentucky University, Florida International University, Fairmont State University, Marshall University, Midwestern State University, Tarleton State University, Texas Woman's University, Washington State University, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, North Carolina Central University, Missouri State University, and University of Houston-Downtown.