Make a national impact, grow your network, and graduate with distinction
If your school doesn’t have a Mortar Board chapter, you can still be part of our honor society! The Virtual National Chapter connects high-achieving students from campuses across the country into one community. You’ll gain all the recognition, opportunities, and benefits of Mortar Board—without needing an immediate local chapter.
The National Chapter is a supportive community that mirrors the chapter experience, complete with monthly meetings, leadership training, and national programming centered on leadership and career-development. Not only is it an opportunity for inactive chapters to engage with each other as they rebuild, but it’s also a place for prospective chapters to engage and learn as they create a chapter on their campus.
Ready to lead beyond your campus? Become a Member of the Inaugural National Chapter!
Fall Application Deadline is December 1.
Eligibility
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Commitment to leadership & service
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3.3 GPA or higher
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Junior or Senior status (at least 50% of your bachelor’s degree completed)
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Your campus does not currently have an active chapter
(Check the active chapter list here: https://mortarboard.org/active-chapters)
Why Join?
Time Commitment
As much (or as little) as you make it. Typical options include:
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Monthly online meetings with networking + leadership/professional development
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Opportunity to serve on the Executive Board
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Opportunity to lead/participate in national service projects and national programming
Ready to lead beyond your campus?
Apply Now — it takes about 10 minutes.
Questions? Send us an email at chapters@mortarboard.org and we’ll help you get started.
Learn more at one of our Information Sessions!
Sessions are virtual and 30 minutes in length. We’ll provide more information about Mortar Board and the National Chapter experience, and you can get your questions answered.
Check out our events page for upcoming sessions!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cost to join?
$125 one-time, lifetime membership fee
Includes: official graduation regalia item, certificate, and pin shipped to you.
Payment plans are available to make membership accessible for all students.
Who can join the National Chapter?
The National Chapter is a way for collegiate students on campuses with struggling or inactive chapters to connect with Mortar Board. Members gain leadership and professional development skills, connect with other Mortar Boards, and learn the necessary chapter operations to get the chapter reestablished on campus.
How do I know if my campus chapter is active?
Active chapters are bolded on our active chapter list. If you need a campus contact for your active chapter or if you want to verify the status of your chapter, please email chapters@mortarboard.org.
Can I join the National Chapter if there is an active campus chapter?
If an active campus chapter exists, that is your main point of membership. Exceptions to this are only granted with approval from both the campus chapter and the National Office. Email chapters@mortarboard.org for more information.
Am I eligible to join?
Consistent with the Mortar Board Bylaws, the National Chapter requires students to have completed 50% or more of their bachelor’s degree by the end of the semester of application. Students must also have at least a 3.3 cumulative Grade Point Average and show commitment to leadership and service. All students who meet these requirements are eligible to apply for membership.
Why do I have to apply?
Mortar Board is an honor society, not just an honorary. We believe excellence in scholarship is more than just a GPA, and we want to make sure those factors are considered in membership. We also look for members to have a commitment to leadership and service to campus or community. These factors are best assessed through an application. As with applications to collegiate chapters, they are reviewed by Mortar Board members. If selected, the applicants are tapped for membership and initiated into the National Chapter.
What can I do as a National Chapter member?
The National Chapter will hold monthly meetings where students can meet each other, participate in leadership and career development, and plan events if they choose. Like campus chapters, members will have the opportunity to be elected to a leadership position within the chapter, such as President, VP for Membership, Marketing & Communications Director, Service Chair, and more. Like most collegiate experiences, your experience with the National Chapter is what you make it.
What's the time commitment for the National Chapter?
The National Chapter will meet monthly for one hour. Members are encouraged to attend. Similar to campus chapters, if National Chapter members choose to serve in a leadership role or host events or service projects, there may be additional time each month.
Apply Today!
The National Chapter is open to undergraduate students who meet its eligibility requirements AND do not have an active campus chapter. To check to see if you have an active campus chapter, click here. Students who have completed at least 50% of their bachelor’s degree by the end of this semester AND have a cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 3.3 are eligible to apply. The National Chapter selects in the Fall and Spring semester; Fall 2025 applications are due December 1; Spring 2026 applications are due April 1.
*Applications received after December 1 will be rolled into the Spring 2026 selection cycle.