The National Criminal Justice Honor Society was founded in 1942 and is the only nationally recognized Criminal Justice Honor Society.
In 1976, the Executive Board of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences voted unanimously to designate Alpha Phi Sigma as the National Criminal Justice Honor Society. In 1981, Alpha Phi Sigma was admitted to the Association of College Honor Societies.
For over half a century, Alpha Phi Sigma has continued to foster its four ideals: Academic Excellence, Unity, Leadership, and Service.
Student members shall be enrolled full- or part-time and shall be of high moral character. Undergraduate students must have completed at least three full-time semesters or equivalent, and at least four of the courses must be in the criminal justice field.
Undergraduates must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale and rank in the top 35 percent of their class.
Post baccalaureate students shall meet a minimum 3.4 cumulative grade point average or rank in the top 25 percent of their class.