Student Organizations

The Federated Department of History at NJIT and Rutgers Newark has three student organizations, Phi Alpha Theta, History Club and the Pre-Law Society. 

First, both NJIT and Rutgers have local chapters of the national history honor society, Phi Alpha Theta.  The NJIT affiliate is called Alpha-Nu-Alpha and Professor Richard B. Sher is the chapter advisor.  The Rutgers affiliate is Iota Kappa and Professor Fred Russell is the chapter advisor.  In the springtime the chapters meet together on the NJIT campus for the induction of new members, followed by a reception.

Phi Alpha Theta

Mission Statement

We are a professional society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. We seek to bring students, teachers and writers of history together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote and assist historical research and publication by our members in a variety of ways.

Membership Requirements

Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours (4 courses) in History achieve a minimum GPA of 3.1 in History and a GPA of 3.0 or better overall. Eligible candidates must also be in the top 35% of their class. Students enrolled in an online program are not eligible. Membership is not limited to History majors.

Graduate Students
Graduate students should have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours towards their Master's Degree in History, have a GPA of better than 3.5, and shall have completed approximately 30% of the residence requirements for the Master's Degree.

Phi Alpha Theta Advisors

NJIT	Rutgers-Newark
Richard Sher Office: 329 Cullimore Hall Phone: 973-596-3377 Fax : 973-596-5345 E-mail: richard.sher@njit.edu	Frederick H. Russell Office: 309 Conklin Hall Phone: 973-353-3898 Fax: 973-353-1193 E-mail: frussell@andromeda.rutgers.edu

History Club

Through the History club, students who are not yet eligible for Phi Alpha Theta have a way to affiliate with other history enthusiasts to build and participate in the history community. 

Phi Alpha Theta and History Club meet together and sponsor events, one of which is our annual Student/Faculty Phi Alpha Theta Induction and Awards Reception.  For upcoming meetings or events check this site regularly or contact the Federated History Department Office at 973-596-5344.

Pre Law Society

NJIT students interested in careers in the law formed the NJIT Pre-Law Society (PLS) in February, 2011. Law, Technology and Culture majors and minors as well as dedicated students from other disciplines who are interested in the legal profession meet regularly and engage in a variety of activities.  During the 2010-2011 academic year the organization held a 3D Day, a design contest for their logo, a celebration of the United States Constitution, and capped the year off by visiting the United States Supreme Court and Georgetown Law School in Washington, D. C.  At the Court students witnessed oral arguments, spoke with clerks to some of the justices and had a behind-the-scenes tour.  At Georgetown the PLS met with the Director of Admissions and the Faculty Chair for Admissions to discuss the law school application process.  The PLS plans another busy year for 2011-2012.  Stay tuned for events notices!

The Pre-Law Society, History Club and Phi Alpha Theta events are a great way to meet others who share an interest in and love for history, the social sciences and the law. Everyone is welcome at our own local meetings – history majors and minors, Law Technology and Culture majors and legal studies minors, and interested members of the general student population. We welcome new ideas about how to make the History Club and Phi Alpha Theta better!

Student Activities

Future Events

Past Events

Field Trip

On Tuesday February 2nd, graduate students from the Federated History Department will be visiting the New York Historical Society.  The visit will entail viewing the Historical Society's Abraham Lincoln exhibit, as well as a participating in a formal presentation by the archivists regarding the Society's collections.  The goal of the visit is for history students to learn how to conduct primary historical research at the New York Historical Society in Manhattan.

Pre-Law Student Opportunity!

NJIT and Rutgers students who are interested in a career in law can take an LSAT practice exam FREE.  This event is sponsored by Kaplan, Inc. Test Prep Services and is scheduled for Saturday, February 13, at 10:30 am.  The exam is 3.5 hours long. Students who want to participate should either go to kaptest.com and sign up for their free events, or they can call the East Hanover branch of Kaplan, 973-884-3500.

Students who have questions can also contact the Director of the Law, Technology and Culture Program at NJIT, Professor Gautham Rao, at gautham.rao@njit.edu.

LTC! LTC!

Law Technology and Culture students are looking forward to Let’s Talk Careers night, Wednesday, March 3 at NJIT.  Doors open at six, with light refreshments and time to get acquainted.  The evening, co-sponsored by the Albert Dorman Honors College, will feature an overview of the LTC program, presented by Professor Gautham Rao, and a meet-and-greet between LTC faculty and students.  The keynote presentation will be performed by some of Kaplan, Inc.'s finest local representatives, who will spend the evening talking students through the law school application process as well as details of the LSAT.  In addition to LTC majors, Legal Studies minors and History majors are especially encouraged to attend.  All this activity is guaranteed to whet students’ appetites, so pizza and beverages will be provided during the course of the evening.