What Is An SPTA?
SPTAs are State, Provincial and Territorial Psychological Associations, and they exist in all US states, territories and Washington, D.C., along with all Canadian provinces. These associations promote and protect the science and practice of psychology on a broad range of issues affecting the field, the discipline and existing and emerging psychologists. This includes advocacy for critical issues at the local, state and national level.
This fact sheet was created by the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students.
What Do SPTAs Do?
Professional practice
Resources for practitioners on many areas, including licensure, insurance and building an independent practice.
Science, education and research
Continuing education programs, promotion of current research and best practices, funding opportunities and annual research conferences.
Public education and outreach
Outreach events, online resources for consumers, databases of licensed providers and opportunities to present workshops on your campus or to your community.
Diversity
Focus on education and research related to diversity concerns in psychology.
Advocacy
Moving away from the absolute requirement of a postdoc before licensure, successfully promoting prescriptive authority (RxP), and other issues such as licensure mobility and telehealth practice.
What Do SPTAs Do for Graduate Students?
- Provide a platform to meet other students within your area to advocate for student needs and issues.
- Allow you to present research and apply for grants and fellowships.
- Give you opportunities to engage in mentorship, networking and leadership roles.
- Help you learn about legislative issues affecting psychologists and engage in the advocacy process, including oftentimes a state capital field-trip/lobbying day.
How Do I Get Involved?
- Find your SPTA contact information and website.
- Join the SPTA. Membership fees often range between $10-$35.
- Contact student leaders within your SPTA, or SPTA leadership if student contact info is not listed.
- Apply for a leadership position or join a committee.
- Join association listservs (some states have student-specific listservs).
- Participate in advocacy, including state legislative advocacy events.