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Colleges & Schools

Department of Political Science and Public Administration College of Arts and Sciences

Student Organizations

Undergraduate Organizations

Pi Sigma Alpha

Pi Sigma Alpha is the honor society for political science students, celebrating its national 100th anniversary in 2020. Pi Sigma Alpha hosts chapters on nearly 850 campuses and has inducted more than 300,000 members. Its rolls feature national, state, and local political leaders including one president, three Supreme Court justices, and dozens of members of Congress. Each year those who have achieved academic excellence are inducted and display the same passion for politics & policy, and abiding by the Pi Sigma Alpha mission “to encourage the scientific and practical study of problems of government, to foster reforms in our governmental machinery, and to aid in the education of the electorate in problems of government.” Membership in Pi Sigma Alpha includes scholarship and award opportunities, as well as leadership opportunities.

For more information on Pi Sigma Alpha, contact Dr. Rob Blanton.

Sigma Iota Rho

Sigma Iota Rho is an honor society for international studies students. The purpose of Sigma Iota Rho shall be to promote and reward scholarship and service among students and practitioners of international studies, international affairs, and global studies and to foster integrity and creative performance in the conduct of world affairs. Membership in Sigma Iota Rho provides scholarship and award opportunities, including the John R. Lewis Social Justice Policy Fellowship and the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, among others.

For more information on Sigma Iota Rho, contact Dr. Renato Corbetta.

UAB Pre-Law Society

The UAB Pre-Law Society (PLS) is a multi-disciplinary organization, and offers a support network for students interested in the study of the law as well as a forum for interdisciplinary discourse on campus. PLS organizes a range of activities—special lectures, panel discussions, court visits, co-sponsored events promoting issues of public concern, etc.—designed to expose students to law, the legal profession, and public policy. In addition, PLS sponsors more targeted programs to equip students who are planning to attend law school, such as LSAT study groups, personal statement peer-review workshops, and question & answer sessions with current law students and law graduates. PLS is a student-led organization.

For more information on PLS, contact Dr. Stacy Moak.

Students for Human Rights

Students for Human Rights is a student-led, student-run campus organization. As the student outreach arm of the UAB Institute for Human Rights, this group gives students a platform and opportunity to express themselves as a voice for the voiceless by creating a community of inclusive dialogue — where partnership is paramount as we stand against bigotry, racism, and every form of injustice. Students for Human Rights holds several events and provides opportunities to effect change. Join today! For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Graduate Organizations

Pi Alpha Alpha

Pi Alpha Alpha is the national public administration honors society for students in the field of public administration. Students are admitted into the UAB chapter each year at our spring reception. Students who have completed at least half of the required classes in the program with a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or greater are eligible for membership in Pi Alpha Alpha.

The purpose of Pi Alpha Alpha is to encourage and recognize outstanding scholarship and accomplishment in public affairs and administration. Its objectives — such as fostering integrity, professionalism, and effective performance — promote the advancement of quality in the education and practice of the art and science of public affairs and administration. PAA membership identifies those with the highest performance levels in educational programs preparing them for public service careers.

Contact Dr. Nev Ertas, the UAB chapter faculty advisor, for additional information.

International City/County Management Association (ICMA)

The Association's mission is to create excellence in local governance by developing and fostering professional local government management worldwide. ICMA provides member support; publications; data and information; peer and results-oriented assistance; and training and professional development to nearly 9,000 city, town, and county experts and other individuals and organizations throughout the world.

Formed in 2010, UAB is the inaugural ICMA Student Chapter. It is an open organization for students who are interested in learning about local government and management. Like the ICMA, the UAB chapter strives to bring UAB students closer to local government and management officials by developing and fostering a strong relationship of interaction. The UAB ICMA chapter is student-led. The faculty advisor is Dr. Stephanie Pink-Harper.

MPA Alumni Network

All graduates from the MPA program automatically become a member of the MPA Alumni Network. The MPA Alumni Network Board hosts activities throughout the year. Before you go anywhere after graduation, please send your contact information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact one of the officers through the Network's Facebook page.