The 54 divisions of the American Psychological Associationopens in new window (APA) are interest groups organized by members. Some represent disciplines within psychology such as experimental, social and clinical, while others focus on topical areas such as aging, ethnic minorities and trauma. They are in number order as they have been formed over the years (see Appendixes V and VI of the Division Officers Handbook for their history).
APA members and students, and professionals not affiliated with APA can apply to join divisions, which have their own eligibility criteria and dues. In addition, each division has its own officers, committees, website, publications, email list, awards, convention activities and meetings. Membership is not required to access their websites, though you may find that you want to join to access certain benefits.
Most divisions have memberships similar to APA’s membership types. A wonderful thing about the membership categories is that you can start out as a student and move to associate if you opt for a master’s degree or member if you opt for a doctorate. Within these you will be considered an Early Career Psychologist (ECP) within the first 10 years after your degree.
Fellowship is a special distinction for those members who can show evidence of unusual and outstanding contributions in the field of psychology.
As members get older, reaching the age of 65 and belonging to APA for 25 years, they may move to life status. Many members have been with APA for a lifetime, starting out as students and continuing through life status.
While APA can seem big at times, getting involved in a division or two will begin to make the professional world of psychology seem like a smaller place where people know you and want to see you flourish. Many divisions offer free first year membership or reduced rates for students.
Here’s what we recommend:
- Explore the 54 divisions by number and name.
- Pick three that look the most interesting to you.
- Bookmark them, and when the time is right for you, joinopens in new window.
- As they send you information, take advantage when you see something interesting.
Here is a sampling of division resources for students. You’ll likely find others as you explore divisions of interest.
- Division 5 (Quantitative and Qualitative Methods)opens in new window has created a list of approximately 90 doctoral programsopens in new window that offer a doctoral degree in quantitative methods. “The aim is to provide basic contact information in a centralized place as a helpful resource to students seeking to apply to programs in psychometrics, quantitative psychology and related areas.”
- Division 19 (Society for Military Psychology) is proud to support students conducting research in the field of military psychology. The division sponsors an annual research grant of $1,500 for a student project demonstrating excellence in the field and provides travel grants of $750 to help defray students’ cost of travel to the annual APA convention.
- Division 29 (Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy)opens in new window created a webpage devoted to student resourcesopens in new window. Nicholas Morrison, student development chair, said, “I am interested in advocating for students who hope to engage in career-related objectives outside of traditional research and practice.”
- Division 33 (Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities/Autism Spectrum Disorder)opens in new window Gael Orsmond, who served as president, says, “We are particularly devoted to engaging early career professionals and students with networking, mentorship and advising our executive committee. You are the future of the APA and Division 33.”
- Div. 40 (Society for Clinical Neuropsychology)opens in new window has an active group for students, the Association of Neuropsychological Students and Traineesopens in new window. Visit their pages for information on special interest groups, training and education, and webinars.
- Division 53 (Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology)opens in new window has developed Helping Give Away Psychological Scienceopens in new window, a student service organization that is dedicated to helping the best information about psychological science reach the people who would benefit. Their goal is to work in small teams to improve the information about psychology on Wikipedia and in the community.