American Psychological Association

The American Psychological Association (APA), headquartered in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and the world's largest association of psychologists. The APA's membership includes more than 150,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students. Through its divisions in 53 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial, and Canadian provincial associations, the APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a profession, and as a means of promoting health, education, and human welfare. The association's annual convention, held in late summer, is the world's largest meeting of psychologists.

The APA members sit on association boards, committees, and task forces and work with colleagues to shape policies for the association and to develop standards regarding psychological research, practice, education, and the application of psychology and psychological research to social issues.

The APA supports membership interests through its central offices and four directorates–Practice, Science, Education, and Public Interest–as well as through its meetings, journals (the APA publishes 46 journals), newsletters, books, e-products, continuing education programs, training, and accrediting activities. Members also benefit from the APA's federal legislative and regulatory advocacy and media relations, as well as an ethics education program.

The Science Directorate is the focal point of the APA's efforts to enhance psychological science and expand the recognition of its achievements. This directorate develops and manages programs serving APA members involved in academe and research and consolidates the APA's science activities.

The Practice Directorate promotes the practice of psychology and the availability and accessibility of psychological services for health care consumers through its national public education campaign, advocacy and legislative efforts, and work with state psychological associations.

[Page 43]The Public Interest Directorate promotes the science and practice of psychology by contributing to the improvement of the public's health and well being. It works to inform social policies based on psychology's unique expertise in human behavior.

The Education Directorate works to advance the education and training of psychologists, the teaching of psychology, and the application of psychology to education and teaching.

Other functions of the association include the Research Office, the Office of Public Affairs, and the publication Monitor on Psychology. The primary mission of the Research Office is to collect, analyze, and disseminate information relevant to psychology's labor force and educational system. The Office of Public Affairs provides a link between the news media and the expertise of APA members. The Monitor on Psychology, the APA's official monthly magazine, informs readers of the latest advances in the field and the activities of the APA.

The APA is a nonprofit corporation chartered in Washington, D.C. In accordance with its bylaws and the association rules, the APA is governed by a council of representatives with elected representatives from its divisions and affiliated psychological associations. The APA's central office is guided by a board of directors and administered by a chief executive officer.