Eligibility
Teachers of high school psychology who are not eligible to become APA members may become high school teacher affiliates. As a high school teacher affiliate of APA, you'll automatically become a member of Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS), the national organization representing the needs of psychology teachers at the high school level. TOPSS priorities include developing materials and resources for high school psychology, networking among all teaching levels of psychology and providing a visible, national voice for secondary school teachers of psychology.
APA membership is effective January 1 through December 31. If you join APA between September 1 and December 31, you will enjoy membership through the next calendar year.
Benefits
High School Teacher Affiliate Membership offers a wide array of personal and professional benefits, including:
Enhanced membership
When you join APA you are automatically enrolled in TOPSS, a dynamic group which acts as the voice of high school psychology teachers within APA, and promotes excellence in the teaching of psychological science at the high school level.
Expert career support
Career and professional development information tailored just for APA members. Leverage these materials for yourself and your students.
Information on trends across psychology
Nine issues per year of the American Psychologist journal and 11 issues per year of the APA Monitor on Psychology magazine.
Even more information, for less
Discounts on APA books, videos, journals and online databases.
TOPSS Lesson Plans
TOPSS offers multiday units that include a procedural timeline, a content outline, suggested resources and activities, and references.
Lifelong learning
Access a range of high-quality CE offerings including discounts on fee-based programs.
Advanced networking opportunities
Eligibility for membership in one of APA’s 54 divisions and deep member discounts on registration for the APA Annual Convention.
Additional savings opportunities
Discounts on brand-name products and services including car rentals, financial services and office supplies.
Support psychology
Feel good knowing your participation and dues support a variety of activities and programs that help move psychology, and society, forward. Every day, APA works to advance psychology education, training and research through programs and advocacy at the federal level. At the same time, APA works to expand the public’s access to, and understanding of, psychology through programs and partnerships with organizations like the YMCA, PTA and more.
Dues
High school teacher affiliate dues are just $50 per year. As a high school teacher affiliate member you are automatically enrolled in TOPSS, which represents your interests, promotes the highest professional standards for the teaching of psychology and provides leadership opportunities and a unified voice for high school psychology teachers.
Division Membership
APA’s 54 special interest divisions offer opportunities to network and grow within a specific area of psychology. Division membership is in addition to APA membership. However, most divisions offer free or low-cost membership for first-year members. Learn more about division membership.