To join our division or pay your dues, please use the APA site.

Division Purpose

The Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity and Race, a Division of the American Psychological Association (APA), is the major representative body for psychologists who conduct research on ethnic minority concerns or who apply psychological knowledge and techniques to ethnic minority issues. The Division’s purpose is to advance psychology as a science and to promote public welfare through research, to apply research findings towards addressing ethnic minority issues, and to encourage professional relationships among psychologists with these interests. It also represents ethnic minority concerns within the governance of APA.

Membership Programs

From its inception, the Division has sponsored programs at the annual convention of the APA. Programs have included scientific papers, symposia, and poster sessions through which the membership of the Division and those interested in the application of psychological principles in ethnic minority issues could exchange ideas and disseminate research findings. Reflective of the diversity of interests within the division, topics have covered a range of ideas related to ethnic that include psycho-social stress, HIV/AIDS, development of self-identity, psychological assessment, substance abuse, sexuality and sex roles, and other topics.

Membership Publications

The Division publishes Focus, a newsletter designed to provide information about the activities of the Division and its members, job/position availability notices, and updates on current events of interest. It also serves as a networking vehicle for its members.

The Division’s quarterly journal, Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, offers researchers, clinicians, advocates, and scholars a medium to publish theoretical, conceptual, research, and case study articles that promote the development of knowledge and understanding, application of culturally relevant psychological principles, and scholarly analysis of psychological forces affecting racial/ethnic minorities.

Receipt of both publications are benefits of membership.

Membership Activities

Members benefit by having a forum in which to present their ideas and research, receive current information on the work of others, and have the opportunity to interact with others about their work throughout the year. The Division has several forums, including a convention program at APA conventions, a listserv for those who like to keep in close communication with others in the Division with regard to the goals and mission of the Division, and sponsorship of various conferences throughout the year. The profession benefits by having open discussions of ideas and topics directly relevant to the application of psychological principles to ethnic minority issues and by advancing the knowledge base of the profession.

Types of Membership

Division 45 offers membership in a variety of categories. The requirements for the categories of Member, Fellow and Associate are based on requirements established for like-categories of membership in APA. Division 45 also has two affiliate (non-APA member) categories. Professional Affiliates are persons who are not members of APA but are professionals from disciplines bearing on the central interests of the Division, and Student Affiliates are persons who support the mission of the Division and are enrolled as students in an undergraduate or graduate program in psychology. All members and affiliates receive the Division publications Focus and the quarterly journal Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. Voting privileges are extended to all Members, Fellows and 5-year Voting Associates.

Membership Dues

Member/Associate/Fellow/Affiliate: $57.00

Student Affiliate: $25.00

Join by Mail

If you are unable to access the APA site, please follow these instructions:

• Download and complete our application
• Mail the completed application along with check (made payable to “APA Division 45”) to the following address:

Division 45 Membership
American Psychological Association
750 First Street NE
Washington DC 20002-4242