Sigma Theta Tau International

In 1922 six nurses founded the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (Sigma) at the Indiana University Training School for Nurses, now the Indiana University School of Nursing, in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. The founders chose the name from the Greek words Storgé, Tharsos and Timé meaning "love," "courage" and "honor." The honor society became incorporated in 1985 as Sigma Theta Tau International Inc., a nonprofit organization with a 501(c)(3) tax status in the United States.

The mission of Sigma is to support the learning, knowledge, and professional development of nurses committed to making a difference in health worldwide The vision of Sigma is to create a global community of nurses who lead in using knowledge, scholarship, service and learning to improve the health of the world’s people.

University of Arizona Chapter – Beta Mu

The University of Arizona chapter of Sigma is Beta Mu, Chapter 058. Membership is by invitation to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship and to nurse leaders exhibiting exceptional achievements in nursing. To be considered for membership, the student must meet the following requirements:

• Complete ½ of the undergraduate nursing curriculum or ¼ of the graduate nursing curriculum
• Achieve academic excellence (undergraduate students must rank in the top 35% of their class. At schools where a 4.0 grade-point average system is used, graduate students must earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher.)
• Meet the expectation of academic integrity
• Students in graduate programs who are Registered Nurses, legally recognized to practice in their country and have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent in any field, shall be eligible to be considered as a Nurse Leader at any point in the program.

If a student is invited, the notice will be sent to the student’s UofA email address. Historically, invitations have been sent in the spring semester.

Honor Cords for Convocation

Inductees to Sigma may purchase cords to wear at the College of Nursing’s Convocation & University Commencement. New and current Sigma members may purchase replacement cords directly from the Sigma Marketplace.