Starting a Student Chapter…

Student chapters offer a wide range of career-building resources. If your college or university does not have a chapter, you can apply to establish one by following these three steps. It is very easy!

Step 1 Recruit at least 5 students to be a part of the chapter. Those students who are not OSA Student Members must complete and submit an OSA student membership application. All chapter members are required to join OSA’s national organization.

Step 2 Hold an organizational meeting and elect officers. OSA strongly recommends that your chapter also have a faculty advisor.

Step 3 Submit the OSA Student Chapter Application.

If you have difficulty with the online form, please notify us and submit the following materials to the OSA Member & Education Services (MES) Council for consideration:

1. A letter of intent, describing the purpose of your section. Sample letter:
2. A copy of your bylaws. See sample bylaws:
3. A roster of members (must have at least 5), including a list of designated officers and their contact information.
4. The name and contact information of the faculty advisor, along with a brief summary of the chapter advisor's relationship to/history with the optics profession, plans for involvement with the chapter, classes taught, and background on the optics program at your school.

Submit your chapter application materials electronically: chaptersandsections@osa.org, or by mail to:
    OSA Member Services
    C/O Chapters and Sections
    2010 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
    Washington, DC 20036 USA

If approved by the MES Council, your chapter will receive a welcome letter, $500 USD in start-up funding, and the wide range of benefits and services available to OSA Student Chapters!

View instructions and information on requesting your Start-Up Funds and other funding for your chapter.