How to Join
The first step in getting involved with Beta Alpha Psi is to attend one of our first few semester meetings. Beta Alpha Psi meets most Friday evenings during the Fall and Spring semesters, beginning with a semi-annual Meet the Firms Mixer. The Meet the Firms Mixer is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about firms, network with like-minded professionals, and learn more about potential internship and job opportunities. While attendance at the Mixer is not mandatory, we strongly recommend the Mixer as a starting point for students interested in becoming a member.
When you arrive at your first meeting, you will be asked to sign-in as a first semester candidate by providing your name and e-mail address. Shortly thereafter, you will start receiving emails about upcoming meetings, requirements, service events, etc. Prospective members must complete two semesters of candidacy, and meet scholastic, professional, and service requirements to become members. Please see the information below for complete membership requirements.
Requirements to Join Beta Alpha Psi
What are the Scholastic requirements for Candidates?
One of the following MUST be met for Accounting Students:
- Presently taking or have completed Intermediate Accounting I and have a minimum 3.0 average GPA in Accounting; and have an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher*
or
- Admitted into Graduate School and pursing a MS ACCT
*Note: students must have earned at a minimum a 3.0 average in Intermediate Acct I and Intermediate Acct II to be eligible to become initiated as a member at the end of their two-semester period of candidacy.
One of the following MUST be met for Finance Students
- Presently taking FIR 4440 "Managerial Finance" with a 3.0 GPA in all Finance courses
or
- Completed FIR 4440 with a "B"
The following MUST be met for MIS students
- Admitted into Graduate School and have an undergraduate degree in business
What are the Attendance and Fee requirements for Candidates?
The following are required for all candidates:
- Attendance at 6 of the scheduled professional meetings for the semester (a minimum of 360 BAP Professional Minutes)
- Completion of 8 service hours (480 BAP Service Minutes, i.e. service opportunities that are specifically endorsed by Beta Alpha Psi at through our website, email communications, or meetings) per semester; These service opportunities are posted on our website on the Service Opportunities tab. At least 2 hours must be tutoring. No more than half of total service hours can be tutoring.
- $100 one-time candidate fee (non-refundable; due first semester as candidate in BAP)
- $75 one-time membership fee (due in the candidate's second semester in BAP)
- You must complete two semesters as a candidate before you can become a member. Attendance at the end-of-the-semester Banquet is required, as this is where you will be initiated as a member after completing your second semester in good standing and completing your candidate project.
- Academically eligible (based on GPA at beginning of the candidacy semester)
What are the Scholastic requirements once I become a Member?
All members who wish to be in good standing must complete one of the following:
- Must have completed Intermediate I and II with a minimum 3.0 average, have a 3.0 GPA in upper level accounting courses, and either a 3.0 GPA overall or a 3.25 GPA in the last 30 semester hours.
- Students that have completed ACCT 3110 and meet the accounting and overall GPA during their candidacy will automatically meet the requirement for membership.
- Must complete FIR 4440, have a 3.0 GPA Finance courses, and either a 3.0 GPA overall or a 3.25 GPA in the last 30 semester hours.
- All Accounting or MIS. graduate students must have an undergraduate degree in business
- Must have “B” average in ACCT 7000 for graduate students without an undergraduate degree in business
How can I be in Good Standing?
The following are required in order to be a Candidate or Member in Good Standing:
- Attendance at the BAP Banquet
- Attendance at 6 of scheduled Professional meetings for the semester (can include the Meet the Firms Mixer)
- Complete 8 BAP-sponsored service hours (those service opportunities that are specifically endorsed by BAP through our email communications, meetings, or website)
- Submit required candidate fees.
How can I be awarded Outstanding Candidate or Member?
The Outstanding Candidate/Member is the candidate/member who achieves the mark of Good Standing and performs the most service and professional hours, beyond all other members of the current semester. Acknowledgment of achievement at BAP Banquet.
This table is a helpful overview of the service and professional hours required and what constitutes service, professional, and matching minutes. Need additional clarification? Please contact our Co-Recording Secretary Sharon Spence at sspence1@memphis.edu.
