AP-LS Bylaws: Membership
1. There shall be six categories of members in the Society: Members in the Association, Associates in the Association, Members-at-large, Associates-at-large, Fellows of the Division, Fellows of the Society, and Affiliates.
2. Members and Associates affiliated with the American Psychological Association shall be designated in accordance with the By-Laws of the Association, as follows:
a. Members shall be those members who are also members of the American Psychological Association and who are elected as members in accordance with the provision of Section 5 of Article II of the By-Laws for the Association.
b. Associates shall be those who are also Associates of the American Psychological Association and who are elected as Associates in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of Article II of the By-Laws for the Association.
3. Members-at-large shall be members who, by reason of their competence in fields bearing upon the central interests of the Society, wish to aid the Society in the attainments of its objectives, but who do not hold membership in the American Psychological Association.
a. Ordinarily, eligibility for Member-at-large shall require a doctorate in psychology or a related behavioral science or a law degree. However, these requirements may be waived by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Executive Committee, given submission of evidence satisfactory to the Executive Committee of contributions by an individual to the field of Psychology and Law.
b. Eligibility for membership as an Associate-at-large shall require the master's degree in psychology from a regionally accredited graduate or professional school.” Initially, Associates may not vote or hold office within the Association. shall be enrolled in law school or in a graduate or undergraduate program in a social or behavioral science.
4. Affiliates shall be members who, by reason of their interest in fields bearing upon the central interests of the Society, wish to aid the Society in the attainment of its objectives, but who do not hold membership in the American Psychological Association, and who do not meet the eligibility criteria for affiliation as a Member-at-large. Affiliates include International Affiliates, Student Affiliates (including High School Student, Undergraduate Student, and Graduate Student), High School Teacher Affiliates, and Community College Teacher Affiliates.
Student Affiliates will be represented in the Division through the Student Section of the Society, in accordance with the provisions of Article IV, Section 6.
5. Members, Associates, and Affiliates of the American Psychological Association who apply for Society membership in the same status held in the Association, and persons who apply to the Society for status as Members-at-large, Associates-at-Large, or Affiliate, may be admitted to the Society subject to review by the Secretary, and approval of the membership of the Society at its annual business meeting.
6. Members nominated for Fellow in the Division or Fellow in the Society must provide evidence of unusual and outstanding contributions in the area of psychology and law. All candidates for Division Fellow must be endorsed by at least one Fellow of the Division and all candidates for Society Fellow must be endorsed by at least one Fellow of the Society. In addition, all candidates for Division Fellow must meet the requirements of the by-laws of the American Psychological Association. All members who are determined to meet the requirements for Fellow of the Division are also granted status as Fellow of the Society.
7. Voting in the Society shall follow the criteria established in the By-Laws of the American Psychological Association, except that Associates and Affiliates may vote as a member of any committee on which they serve.
8. Minimum membership dues are set by vote of the Executive Committee and may be imposed on all Fellows, Members, Members-at-large, Associates, Associates-at-large, and Affiliates. Non-payment of dues for two consecutive years shall be considered as equivalent to resignation from the Society.
9. Life membership is automatically conferred on members of the American Psychological Association who have reached the age of 65 years and have been members of the Society for at least 25 years. On their initiative, Members-at-large who are at least 65 and have been members of the Society for at least 25 years may submit a written request for life membership. Life Members shall be exempt from paying that portion of their dues not attributable for Journal or Newsletter costs and shall retain all other rights and privileges of members of the Society.
