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 the APA Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS), the national membership group representing the needs of psychology teachers at the high school level. TOPSS priorities include developing materials and resources for high school psychology, facilitating 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. TOPSS members receive regular email updates from the TOPSS chair with relevant news and announcements for teachers.
A personalized member hub
Through MyAPA, you can easily manage your membership, explore career tools, track your learning, update your profile, customize your interests, and access exclusive member-only resources—all in one convenient place.
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
Receive nine issues per year of American Psychologist, APA’s flagship peer reviewed journal featuring cutting edge research, scholarly reviews, and analyses that shape the direction of psychological science and practice. You also receive 11 issues per year of the APA Monitor on Psychology, APA’s award winning magazine offering accessible reporting on emerging trends, new research findings, applications of psychology in schools and communities, and the evolving landscape of the discipline. Together, these publications keep educators informed, inspired, and connected to the broader field.
High school teacher affiliates also receive subscriptions to the online journal Translational Issues in Psychological Science and can opt-in to receive other APA newsletters through my.apa.org.
Even more information, for less
Discounts on APA books, videos, journals and online databases.
Resources for high school teachers
TOPSS offers multiday lesson plans that include a procedural timeline, a content outline, suggested resources and activities, and references. Other teaching resources available for classroom teachers include a resource vetting rubric, advocacy toolkits, and more.
Lifelong learning
Access a range of high-quality CE offerings including discounts on fee-based programs, plus ongoing learning resources such as webinars, mentoring networks, learning communities, and advanced training across research, practice, leadership, and emerging areas of psychology.
Advanced networking opportunities
Eligibility for membership in one of APA’s 54 divisions, and deep member discounts on registration for the APA Annual Convention. High school teacher affiliates can also participate in special professional development offerings, including webinars, in-person workshops, and programming for teachers at APA’s 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. Joining one or more division is a powerful way to expand your knowledge and connect with colleagues who share your scientific, academic, and professional interests. 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.