Phi Upsilon Omicron Rating, Reviews and Requirements. Is it worth it?

What are the requirements to be in Phi Upsilon Omicron?

• An undergraduate student shall be eligible to be a collegiate member of a chapter if the individual:
• has completed a minimum of 36 semester hours, 50 quarter hours, or the equivalent. The hours must include 6 hours of course work in areas including, but not limited to, those recognized by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.
• is majoring in family and consumer sciences or one of its related areas in an institution where a chapter is established;
• Ranks in the highest thirty-five percent of their class in general scholarship.

A graduate student enrolled in family and consumer sciences or related area shall be eligible for membership when the following criteria are met:

• when the student has completed 12 semester hours or its equivalent in courses in family and consumer sciences and related areas. The student is not required to hold a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences, but may have earned the degree in an allied area. 
• when the student’s undergraduate record has been evaluated and shows that the student’s scholarship meets the requirements for membership, then the other criteria for membership should be carefully considered. The grade point average for a graduate student should be a minimum of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. 

What is the history of the Phi Upsilon Omicron?

The society was founded at University of Minnesota on February 10, 1909 as the first national student organization in family and consumer sciences.

The Society's website provides its mission statement as: Phi Upsilon Omicron, an honor society in the integrated field of family and consumer sciences, offers an environment empowering lifelong learning, leadership building, and ethical and scholastic excellence.

To achieve this mission, it lists three Purposes:

• Recognize and promote academic excellence;
• Develop qualities of leadership by providing opportunities for service; and
• Encourage lifelong learning and commitment to advance family and consumer sciences and related areas.

What are the key benefits of being a member of Phi Upsilon Omicron? 

• You’re recognized in the Top 35% of students in Family and Consumer Sciences and its related areas.
• Phi Upsilon Omicron provides a pin, certificate, and academic recognition.
• Minimum Standard: Top 35% of students in Family and Consumer Sciences and its related areas

Based on the information, here is our review:

Our first observation is: that there is not much information on their website, as most of their materials are reserved for active members. 

Our second observation was: that Phi Upsilon Omicron was the first national student organization in family and consumer sciences.

Our third observation was: that this seems to be a niche society, which are often smaller than general honor societies but provide a better outlet for post-graduation networking and job searches.