Fellows

Fellow status is an honor bestowed upon APA Members who have shown evidence of unusual and outstanding contributions or performance in the field of psychology.

Election to Fellow status requires evidence of unusual and outstanding contributions or performance in the field of psychology. Fellow status requires that a person's work has had a national impact on the field of psychology beyond a local, state, or regional level. A high level of competence or steady and continuing contributions are not sufficient to warrant Fellow status. National impact must be demonstrated.

The Fellows Committee's recommendations are based on criteria established by the nominating division, if such criteria exist. In the absence of division criteria, established APA criteria are used. Although there must be a primary nominating division, a second division may submit statements of support for a nominee.

Nominations to Initial Fellow status are made by APA Divisions. Each nominee's application materials are reviewed by the APA Fellows Committee which has the responsibility of making recommendations on each case to the Association's Board of Directors and Council of Representatives. The next deadline for Fellows Chairs to submit nominee applications is February 6, 2012.

Below is a general overview of the timeline involved in electing Initial Fellows — Members who have not achieved Fellow status in any other division.

In March of each year, the Fellows Committee carefully considers each Fellow nomination and determines whether to:

a. recommend nominee election to Fellow status,
b. not recommend the nominee for Fellow status, or
c. defer the nomination pending receipt of further information.

Following their preliminary recommendation (usually occuring in March), the Fellows Committee notifies each Division Fellow Chair regarding the status of each of the division's Fellow nominees. Should the Committee not recommend election to Fellow status, the division has the option to inform the nominee and appeal the decision prior to and/or during the APA Annual Convention (the Committee holds a special meeting to consider such appeals). Should the Committee defer a decision, the division has the option to provide additional information, testimony, and clarity regarding the nominee’s eligibility for Fellow status. The division should keep all information confidential until after Council has elected nominees to Fellow status.

During the Annual APA Convention, and after all appeals have been considered, the Fellows Committee submits a final list of nominees to the APA Board of Directors. The Board then recommends election to the APA Council of Representatives, which ultimately elects the nominees to Fellow status. Once the APA Council of Representatives has elected nominees to Fellow status, division council representatives can report on the election outcome.

In October of each year, the Fellows Committee officially notifies each division of the outcome, sends a certificate to each Initial Fellow, lists Initial Fellows in the American Psychologist, and amends their membership record to reflect Fellow status commencing in September.

Current Fellows are APA Members who are already Fellows in other divisions, and may also become Fellows in another division without approval from the APA Fellows Committee. Once an APA Member has been approved by the Fellows Committee, Board of Directors and Council of Representatives for Fellow status in one division, they do not need further approval from APA to become a Fellow in additional divisions. It is the responsibility of each division to determine eligibility of Current Fellows and to notify APA of their election.

If you are interested in learning more or applying for Fellow status in your division, contact your Division Fellows Chair listed on this page to the right.

Please fill out the following forms. You cannot save data typed into the Adobe Acrobat PDF forms. Please print your completed form if you would like a copy for your records.

The Fellows documents are provided in both PDF and Word formats for your convenience. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Pro you will not be able to save and e-mail the PDF documents.

• Checklist for Fellow Status Nominees (PDF, 25KB): This checklist is provided to ensure all required and supplemental forms and documents are assembled before sending them to the APA Fellows Committee. Download Word .doc version

• Uniform Fellow Application (PDF, 34KB): The application to become an Initial Fellow.
  Download Word .doc version

• Curriculum Vita, publications (indicating "R" for refereed)

• Fellow Status Evaluation Form (PDF, 38KB): In order to be selected as a Fellow, an applicant must be endorsed by three current APA Fellows. This form is to be completed by the current Fellows supporting the nomination of the applicant. Three are required for each nominee.
  Download Word .doc version

• Fellow Status Evaluation Worksheet (PDF, 110KB): This worksheet should be used by each endorser to help articulate the contributions of the nominee in the endorsement letter. Three are required for each nominee.
  Download Word .doc version

• Division Fellow Chair Statement (PDF, 19KB): To support the nomination for Fellow status, The Division Fellows Chair provides rationale for each nomination. This form allows the Chair to summarize how the applicant has met both APA and division criteria for Fellow status, summarize national impact, and provide evidence that the nominating division has thoroughly considered the nominee's application, endorsements, and other supporting materials.
  Download Word .doc version

• Qualification Self Checklist For Prospective Applicants (PDF, 85KB): This checklist helps the Fellow applicant determine whether he or she meets basic requirements for Fellow status in the American Psychological Association.
  Download Word .doc version

• Nominee's Self Statement: This sets forth accomplishments on why the applicant feels they warrant nomination to Fellow status.

• Any Other Supportive Documentation: This can be any information that you believe will help your nomination. The more the division can support the nominee, the better the nominee's odds for election to Fellow status.