The purpose of Phi Alpha is to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote humanitarian goals and ideals. The national social work honor society seeks to foster high standards of education of social work through the recognition and promotion of scholastic excellence and fellowship among social work students. Your academic achievements bring credit to you and the social work profession.

The Michigan State University School of Social Work is a founder and charter member of the National Honor Society. The name "Phi Alpha" means "Love of Humanity".

The Beta Chapter is administered by student officers, consisting of President, Vice-President, and Secretary-Treasurer. The Executive Committee consistS of the President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, Chair of any standing committees, and the faculty advisor.

Students are admitted by invitation only.

I was the President of the Beta Chapter for a year during graduate school and it was beyond rewarding for me. Not only did I have the opportunity to gain new leadership skills and have an impact on the community but it also allowed me to build stronger relationships with the faculty members and my fellow students. By the end of the year I was so proud of what we had accomplished together. I really felt like we had gone above and beyond everyone’s expectations. During the first semester we completed 50 homeless kits for the area homeless shelters and during the second semester not only did we host a team for MSU's Relay for Life and raise money for a great cause but we also completed a request to provide center-piece baskets for NASW-Michigan's annual conference.

This was a true accomplishment. Together the Phi Alpha members of our chapter collected hundreds of mother and baby items from donors and constructed a total of 65 center piece baskets. We also networked with the other chapters in Michigan to collect over 20 more baskets filled with similar items. This was truly one of my most memorable experiences. Beyond all else it really showed the power a group of students can have when they all work together and it made me proud to call myself a social worker. This is not something many people can say about their chosen profession and for me it was just the beginning. Thanks, Phi Alpha members 07-08! ~~Erin Mullen, 2008 President