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 and 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. 

• 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.