Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, is the only honor society for college and university students of government in the United States. Pi Sigma Alpha is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies. Currently (September 2008) there are at least 687 chapters nation-wide. There is at least one college or university with a Pi Sigma Alpha chapter in every state and the District of Columbia.

Pi Sigma Alpha is based in Washington D.C. Its chapters are established in colleges and universities of accredited and recognized standing which offer a prescribed minimum program in political science. Pi Sigma Alpha is a prestigious organization that both encourages interaction among political science students and recognizes their achievements.

Pi Sigma Alpha was founded in 1920 at the University of Texas for the Purpose of bringing together students and faculty interested in the study of government and politics. Professor C. Perry Patterson was an early leader of the first chapter and served as national president of Pi Sigma Alpha from 1920 until1932. The success of the honor society at the University of Texas prompted other institutions to apply for the chapters, with the Universities of Oklahoma and Kansas establishing chapters by 1922. Furman's own chapter (Upsilon Beta) was established in 1994.