Alpha Upsilon Alpha Honor Society

Alpha Upsilon Alpha, the honor society of the International Reading Association, was created in 1985 to recognize and encourage scholarship, the development of personal and professional leadership, and service to the field of reading at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The Greek letters chosen for this honor society are significant: They come from the words Anagnosis (reading), Upotrophia (scholarship), and Archon (leadership). The society motto, which is attributed to Horace, says it all: "Lege sapere aude," or "Read, dare to be wise."

Membership in Alpha Upsilon Alpha brings a sense of scholarly accomplishment in the field of reading and language arts. Members are acknowledged for having excelled in their chosen field of study, and are recognized as professionals committed to the importance of reading and language arts in education.

There are numerous AUA chapters — see if there is one in your school.  If there is not a chapter, consider starting one.  To inquire about forming a new AUA chapter, contact our Division of Council and Affiliate Services.

There are five categories of AUA membership: undergraduate student, graduate student, university faculty, professional, and honorary. In order to be invited to join an AUA chapter, candidates must be IRA members. There are additional requirements for each membership category, as follows:

Undergraduate students must

• Have completed 5 semesters of undergraduate study (76 semester hours of coursework)
• Be elected from the top 25% of their class in scholarship
• Have completed at least one course in reading or language arts and be recommended by a reading/language arts faculty member in the institution

Graduate students must

• Be majoring in the field of reading or language arts
• Be recommended by a reading/language arts faculty member in the institution
• Have completed a minimum of 9 semester hours in reading or related areas of study
• Have completed at least half of the course work required for the advanced degree
• Have a 3.5 or higher grade point average in all graduate work, and particularly in the field of concentration

Faculty (current, alumnus, or emeritus) must

• Have major responsibility in reading/language arts or a closely related field
• Have a doctorate or have met graduate GPA requirements if holding a masters degree

Other professionals must

• Be elementary teachers or secondary teachers in reading/language arts
• Meet scholarship requirements as defined above for highest degree earned
• Be elected to membership by a favorable vote of the active members of the chapter

For more about AUA membership or to inquire about forming a new AUA chapter, contact our Division of Council and Affiliate Services.