National German Honor Societies

General Information

Being a member of a National Honor Society recognizes your outstanding academic achievements, offers access to scholarships, and provides national recognition that can strengthen your college applications and enhance your resume. It can also help you establish leadership skills and build character through volunteer and outreach opportunities.

AATG is the only organization providing induction materials for the four National German Academic Honor Societies:

• Delta Epsilon Phi (High School / High School equivalent)
• Junior Delta Epsilon Phi (Middle School / Junior High School or equivalent)
• Epsilon Phi Delta (Community College)
• Delta Phi Alpha (University)

If you are interested in joining your institution's German honor society chapter, talk to your German teacher or professor to find out more about induction requirements. 

Not sure if your institution has a chapter? Your instructor can contact logistics@aatg.org to find out if a German honor society has been established at your institution already. Chapters are always connected to an institution, not a specific educator, so even if your German instructor is new to your institution, they can become a chapter sponsor.

Benefits of Joining an Honor Society

Outside of being part of a community of like-minded German learners, being a member of a National German Honor Society provides official recognition of your achievements as a student of German. It also makes a positive impression on college or graduate school applications. Chapter sponsors also often submit images and stories of their chapters for publication in AATG's Newsletter, which provides additional recognition and exposure for students, chapters, their institution and German program as a whole.

Additionally, members of Delta Epsilon Phi (high school) and Delta Phi Alpha (college) are eligible to apply for a number of scholarships through AATG:

• Käthe Wilson Scholarship
• Delta Epsilon Phi Post-Graduate Scholarship
• Delta Phi Alpha National Award for Undergraduate Students of German

Last but not least, you can proudly show off your honor society membership throughout the school year and/or at your graduation with our collections of pins, patches, graduation tassels, and graduation honor cords, all available in the AATG Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out if my school or university has an honor society chapter?

• Ask your German teacher or professor if your school has a chapter already. If not or if they do not know, they can reach out to logistics@aatg.org for more information.

Who can induct me into my honor society chapter?

• Typically, one of your German teachers or professors is the chapter sponsor at your school and will order induction certificates and other materials for an annual or bi-annual induction event. 

I switched schools - am I still a member of the honor society?

• Yes, although your German teacher or professor should contact AATG to receive a replacement induction certificate for you that reflects your new chapter information. 

If I was a member of my high school honor society chapter, will my membership carry over to the collegiate honor society?

• No, membership does not carry over as induction requirements are established by each honor society, and chapters may have additional requirements for induction as well. However, if you were a member of your high school's honor society in good standing, you will likely qualify to join your college's honor society chapter as well once you meet the induction requirements. 

Who can purchase honor society materials such as tassels and graduation cords?

• Typically, your chapter sponsor will place an order for these materials through our store, but you or your parents can order materials as well. 

Got more questions? Visit our full FAQ section here.