The Organization & Purpose of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS)

The Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) is the only certifying body for honor societies in U.S. colleges and universities. Established in 1925, ACHS serves as a coordinating body, helping to charter honor societies at accredited institutions and promoting academic excellence across diverse disciplines.

Our member societies, each dedicated to recognizing and promoting academic excellence, span various academic disciplines and specific majors, focusing on honoring students who achieve high academic competence. By inviting students to join these societies, we celebrate their accomplishments and connect them with a community of fellow high-achievers.

Maintaining high standards is a top priority for ACHS. We operate in compliance with the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) and regularly evaluate our members through a compliance and certification process. This ensures that our member societies uphold the credibility and legitimacy essential to the honor society movement.

View the ACHS Statement to Higher Education Community

ACHS is deeply committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Accessibility (DEIA) within our member certified societies. We actively promote policies and initiatives that foster an inclusive environment for all students. We acknowledge the historical contexts of higher education, recognizing that past discriminatory practices have affected access to academic honor societies. ACHS honors the resilience of minority populations who have fought for equal opportunities in academia.

Mission & Role

As stated in the ACHS Bylaws, the mission of ACHS is to:

“The mission of the Association of College Honor Societies is to build a visibly cohesive community of national and international honor societies that promotes the values of higher education; fosters excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and research; and adheres to the standards of honor society excellence.”

ACHS is the organization honor societies join when they want their society certified by a neutral body, want to collaborate with other honor societies to promote best practices in recognizing and promoting excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and research, and seek to continually maintain the highest standards by providing annual reports and undergoing regular re-certification.

Organizational Structure

As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, ACHS is governed by a Council of affiliate societies, with each society represented by an official delegate. The Board of Directors manages the Association's operations and policies between council meetings, ensuring member engagement and participation in governance.

Our primary revenue comes from annual dues paid by member societies, supplemented by vendor partnerships and grants. 

The annual business meeting and conference offers an opportunity for members to share best practices in society governance, operations, and campus activities. Information is available to all members in minutes, special studies, committee reports, and the ACHS website.

ACHS takes pride in the achievements of our member societies, which recognize both scholarship and service among students and alumni. For any questions about ACHS or to learn more about our member societies, please reach out to us at [email protected].