Div. 36 Fellows

New Fellow

Nominations of Div. 36 members for fellow status (new APA fellows) are invited from any member of the division. Nominations and applications are accepted throughout the year. However, completed applications for new fellows must be received by Dec. 1 to be considered for the annual review cycle of the APA Fellows Committee. 

Application for new APA fellows/division fellows must be submitted on the APA Fellows Application portal and follow all instructions for APA Fellow application. See the additional details on APA's fellows application pages. Please note that three endorsement letters are required for “New Fellow” applications. 

Please contact Edward Shafranske, PhD, ABPP, by email or phone, (949) 223-2521, if you are intending to submit an application or have any questions.

Current APA Fellow

Members of the division who are APA fellows and who are seeking fellow status in Div. 36 should contact Edward Shafranske, PhD, ABPP, by email or phone, (949) 223-2521, by Dec. 1 for information about the current fellows application process.

In considering candidates for fellow status, Div. 36 emphasizes research and theoretical work in the psychology of religion and spirituality as well as psychological commentary and theory related to religious/spiritual inquiry. Research in other areas may be considered as additional evidence of advanced achievement in the science and professional of psychology. Specific criteria that may be taken into account include the following:

• Election or appointment to the editorship or the editorial board of a well-recognized psychological journal or monograph series related to the division's interests.
• Election or appointment to state, provincial, regional, national or international positions, committees, commissions or offices in psychology, including leadership positions in Div. 36.
• Evidence of outstanding teaching, including innovative course or curriculum development with significant and broad influence beyond one's own institution.
• Active participation indicative of leadership in other relevant organizations involving psychologists, e.g., the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, the International Society for the Psychology of Religion, American Association for the Advancement of Science, etc., or appointment to study sections and task forces of major national or international foundations or institutes.
• Authorship or editorship of a book or textbook dealing with the psychology of religion and spirituality, religious/spiritual issues and behavior seen from a psychological perspective or other areas of convergence among religion/spirituality, psychology, psychotherapy or pastoral counseling.
• Extensive and far-reaching leadership and instructional participation in continuing education projects established in the service of advanced study in the psychology of religion and spirituality or closely related areas.
• Special recognition through honorary degrees or distinguished service awards and citations if such recognition represents accomplishments of broad consequence to the science or professional of psychology.
• Service as head, director, chairperson, coordinator or founder of a department or agency, if this service results in unique models for the delivery of psychological services in the religious/spiritual sector.
• Evidence or documentation that the nominee has enriched the depth and scope of psychology as it relates to religious issues on a scale well beyond competence as a practitioner, research scientist or teacher.
• Outstanding performance as a provider of psychological services as attested by documentation and publications. The provision of these services must have positive consequences for the advancement of psychology within the religious/spiritual sector and should include innovative approaches to the understanding and solving of individual, group, and organizational problems.
• Recognition of expertise in the psychology of religion and spirituality or related areas by virtue of invitations to make presentations at major universities and conferences.