Delta Epsilon Tau

At Sonoran Desert Institute, we enjoy celebrating the hard work and dedication of our amazing students. Delta Epsilon Tau is just one way to show our appreciation for the outstanding academic and personal achievement of our students.

Delta Epsilon Tau is the premier national honor society for America’s accredited distance learning institutions.

Delta Epsilon Tau only places Chapters in those institutions recognized by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. The purpose of the Society is to encourage and recognize superior student academic achievement, character and leadership. The fact that an individual is elected to membership sets her or him apart from other students and clearly demonstrates a serious commitment to distance education and self-study.

Students will be nominated for the Delta Epsilon Tau National Honor Society, upon graduation, as long as the following criteria is met:

• Graduates must have a minimum of a 3.5 GPA to be invited to join DETHS
• Demonstrated leadership and commitment to distance education and learning.
• No student code of conduct violations
• Clear financial standing

• National Student Recognition
• Reference Delta Epsilon Tau on all Future Resumes
• Lifetime Membership (no annual dues)
• Letters of Reference (upon request)
• Networking Opportunities with other Delta Epsilon Tau Chapters
• Delta Epsilon Tau Members receive personalized Membership Certificates that profile their institutions and Chapters
• Each Certificate includes the Delta Epsilon Tau Gold Seal of Distinction
• Delta Epsilon Tau Members receive the DET Gold Key, Congratulatory Letter, and Honor Society Narrative

All DETHS candidates are nominated by their respective Chapters. Honor Society membership applications are mailed with the appropriate membership fee to the Delta Epsilon Tau Honor Society.

All recognition materials are customized and distributed by the Delta Epsilon Tau Honor Society. Honor graduates receive:

Membership Certificates

• The Delta Epsilon Tau Honor Society Crest
• The Name of the Outstanding Graduate
• The Name of the Distance Learning Institution
• The Specific Chapter Name (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, etc.)
• The Official Date of Graduation (if requested)
• The Delta Epsilon Tau Gold Seal of Distinction

Honor Society Gold Key

To accompany the certificates, each honor graduate also receives the Delta Epsilon Tau Gold Key. Professionally die struck, sandblasted and polished, each Gold Key bears the Greek letters for DET. For presentation purposes, each Gold Key is handsomely profiled in its own case.

The emblem, a gold key or badge, may be worn with pride by those who have been elected to membership. This emblem bears the Greek letters for DET, the Flaming Torch and two of the finest words in any language—Integrity and Excellence.

Congratulatory Letters

Each Honor graduate receives a special congratulatory letter from the Honor Society.

Honor Society Narrative & Overview

Each Honor graduate receives a narrative and overview of the Society.

Charters for chapters of Delta Epsilon Tau may only be granted to institutions accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.

The original group shall include the institution’s chief executive officer, an academic officer or senior faculty member and those students and others who qualify under Delta Epsilon Tau standards.

The applicant shall pay a one-time charter fee based on total enrollments of the institution.

There are no dues for member schools or individuals. The base charge for each member is $60.

Each honor student elected to membership receives a personalized membership certificate which includes the name of the college or school, the chapter name, the date of graduation and the official Delta Epsilon Tau Gold Seal of Distinction. The individual membership fee is paid by each honor graduate. As an added service, each honor student also receives a special congratulatory letter from Delta Epsilon Tau and a narrative about the society. Upon request, letters of reference are provided.

Although grading systems vary, student candidates should generally have marks of “A” or rank in the upper ten percent (10%) of the graduating class. Qualifications for regular membership will document that the student.

• Completed his or her own work, independently;
• Successfully graduated; and
• Maintained over the minimum qualifying grade point average (as determined by the Chapter).

Institutions may also elect faculty, staff, alumni, and honorary members. These individuals should have distinguished records of service to the institution or be recognized leaders in their fields of work. Honorary members may include community leaders, state officials, employers, Members of Congress, or in some cases, members of the media.

Chapters may be suspended or expelled for failure to comply with Delta Epsilon Tau regulations and policies.

The institution shall publicize the nature of the society and the requirements for membership from time to time during each school term or year.

Changes, modifications, and additions may be made in the regulations and policies of the society by the national office, to be effective on publication or written notice.