SPSSI MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

Constitutional requirements for membership are in accordance with the minimum standards of the American Psychological Association, except that the requirements may be fulfilled in fields other than psychology, such as sociology, anthropology, psychiatry, social work, political science, etc.; and with the exception of our Affiliate Membership category.

The categories of membership specified in Article II of the SPSSI Bylaws are:

Section 2.1.  Membership Categories. The Society shall have four categories of membership: Full Members, Affiliate Members, Graduate Student Members, and Undergraduate Student Members.    

 (2.1.1) Full Members. Ordinarily, eligibility for full membership shall require a postgraduate degree in a field related to the interests of the Society, from a recognized institution.

 (2.1.1.1) Full Members who belong to the American Psychological Association and those who do not shall be equal in rights except that the elected Representatives of the Society on the Council of Representatives of the American Psychological Association shall be Members of the Association and shall be chosen by and only by the Members of the Society who are also Members of the Association. Members affiliated with the American Psychological Association shall be designated in accordance with the By-Laws of the American Psychological Association.  Such Members shall be individuals who are also Members or Fellows of the American Psychological Association and who are elected as Members of that Association in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 of Article II of the By-Laws for the American Psychological Association:  “The minimum requirement for acceptance to Member status shall be the receipt of the doctoral degree based in part upon a psychological dissertation or the doctoral degree based on other evidence of proficiency in psychological scholarship from a program primarily psychological in content. The doctoral degree must have been conferred by a graduate or professional school that is regionally accredited or that has achieved such accreditation within five years of the year the doctoral degree was granted or that is one of equivalent standing outside the United States.

(2.1.2) Affiliate Members. Affiliate membership status is available to those who do not hold a postgraduate degree in a discipline related to the interests of the Society and are not eligible for student membership under 2.1.3 & 2.1.4.

(2.1.3) Graduate Student Members. Graduate student membership is available to matriculating students in postgraduate program in a discipline related in some way to the purposes of the organization.

(2.1.4) Undergraduate Student Members.  Undergraduate student membership is available to matriculating students in undergraduate program in disciplines related in some way to the purposes of the organization.

 Section 2.2. Qualifications. Qualifications of applicants for membership shall be screened by the administrative staff, and new members' names shall be reported annually to the Council of the Society.

(2.2.1) All applicants for membership must complete the application for membership and submit it to the administrative staff of the Society at its principal office in Washington, DC.

Section 2.3. Rights. All Full Members and Graduate Student Members shall have the right to vote. All Full Members shall have the right to hold office, and to secure fair consideration for governance appointment in the Society.

Section 2.4. Life Member Status. Full Members who have reached the age of sixty-five years and having been Members of the Society for at least twenty years may request Life Member status.  Life Members shall be exempt from paying dues and shall retain all other rights and privileges of Members of the Society.

Section 2.5. Sustaining Member Status. Full Members under 65 may obtain Sustaining Member status if they make a one-time dues payment. The amount of this payment will be set by Council.  Sustaining Members shall thereafter be exempt from paying dues and shall retain all other rights and privileges of Members of the Society.