Eta Sigma Gamma

Initiation Information & Resources

Typically, chapters hold an initiation ceremony once a year, and some chapters conduct a ceremony in both fall and spring semesters.  The following information may be helpful in preparing your chapter for a successful initiation ceremony:

Requirements to be Initiated into National Eta Sigma Gamma

National ESG requires the following criteria* be met in order for an student members to be initiated:  

• Be enrolled in a health education or similar academic program that aligns with NCHEC’s Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists and/or is CEPH accredited. 

• Have a minimum GPA of 2.7

• Commit to upholding the ideals and ethical standards set forth by Eta Sigma Gamma and the health education profession.

Preparing for an Initiation Ceremony

• Identify students to be initiated**

• Choose a date, time, and location for your initiation ceremony.

• Complete the Initiation Request Form, saving as your chapter name and year (e.g. GammaMu_25_Initiation Request), then email the completed form to nationaloffice@etasigmagamma.org a minimum of two weeks prior to your planned initiation ceremony date.

• Collect initiation fees from students if the chapter has determined that individuals are responsible for their own fees. The student initiation fee is $50; however, there are new fees that allow students to obtain a discount for the initiation and membership into ESG. See Membership Levels for more details. Make sure to send checks and money orders in right away so they do not become non-cashable.

• Upon receipt of the Initiation Request Form, the National ESG Office will generate an online invoice for the initiation fees (one invoice per chapter ceremony; invoices for individual initiates will not be generated). Please pay this invoice within a week of the ceremony date.

• The National ESG Office will mail certificates, lapel pins, and ESG swag to the Chapter Advisor that will be used and given to initiates at the ceremony.

*Please note that individual chapters may add to this criteria list, but they may not remove or reduce the criteria set by National Eta Sigma Gamma.

**There is no minimum number of student initiates required to hold an initiation ceremony.  Additionally, students are only initiated one time and do not need to be re-initiated each school year.