Mississippi Psychological Association Membership

• MPA serves as the organized voice for psychology in Mississippi, dedicated to advancing psychology as both a profession and a science. The organization is committed to keeping its members well-informed about current issues related to state licensure, mental health policy, available training, and more.
• Advocacy: MPA members, along with their leadership, actively engage in lobbying efforts and negotiations to bring about proposed changes to state licensure laws governing the practice of psychology in Mississippi. MPA advocates for equitable and responsible healthcare treatment and supports diversity across all settings.
• Listserv: The MPA listserv serves as a valuable communication tool, delivering announcements, news, and relevant information to Mississippi psychologists. It enables members to stay updated on proposed legislation impacting their practice, learn about upcoming events, and maintain connections with psychologists statewide.
• MPA Newsletter: The MPA newsletter offers quarterly updates on the association and its events.
• MPA Website: This service provides exclusive, member-only access to MPA published materials, including the newsletter and blog. Additionally, the website hosts a searchable directory of active members, allowing easy identification based on academic or clinical specialties.
• New Ambassador Program: MPA is actively promoting the value of membership through its Ambassador Program. Members can become Ambassadors by recruiting another licensed psychologist in Mississippi to join MPA. Ambassadors receive a pin, and the individual recruiting the most members will have their conference registration waived.
• Student and Early Career Members: MPA remains committed to its viability by encouraging membership among students and early career professionals.

Yes, we have 5 levels of membership as defined below:

• Full Member (Clinical, Dual & Academic): Doctoral Degree in Psychology. Open to those providing clinical/health services, those primarily employed at a college or university in teaching or research (providing no health services other than student supervision), or those who fall into both categories.
• Early Career Psychologist: Applies to psychologists within their first 3 years after conferral. New members who join MPA within that three-year window get their first year of membership free.
• Associate: Non-licensed Psychologists, Associates of APA, or possess at least a BA or BS degree with a major in psychology granted by a recognized college or university, and are employed in primarily psychological work
• Student: Undergraduate or Graduate Student, or Graduate Student on Internship
• Exempt Status: Current MPA member, minimum of 5 years continuous membership, retired and 65 years old

Q: Why are the membership categories changing?

After careful consideration by the MPA Executive Council, we’ve updated our membership structure to better reflect how our members actually practice, simplify category distinctions, and expand benefits — especially for those early in their careers following doctoral conferral. Your Executive Council reviewed these changes thoroughly and believes they position MPA for long-term sustainability while delivering more value to members at every stage of their career.

Q: What is the anniversary-based renewal cycle, and how does it affect me?

Starting in 2026, MPA is moving away from a fixed calendar-year renewal date. Instead, your membership will renew on the anniversary of the date you originally joined. Here’s what that means in practice:

• You get a full 12 months of membership from whenever you join or renew — no more partial years.
• You’ll receive a reminder notice in advance of your personal renewal date so you’re never caught off guard.
• If you’re an existing member, we’ll be in touch with details about how your renewal date will be calculated during the transition.

Questions about your specific renewal date? Just reach out at mpa@mpassoc.org or 601-608-7677.

Q: What’s changed about Full Membership?

Full Membership has been expanded and unified under one category at $255/year. Previously, those with a doctoral degree in psychology working in academic or research roles had their own separate, lower-cost category ($165/year). That category is now consolidated into Full Membership, so all individuals with a doctoral degree in psychology — clinical, dual, and academic/research — are under the same umbrella with the same full rights and privileges.

In addition, Full Members now receive two valuable new benefits:

• Free student add-ons: Each Full Member may add up to two student members at no additional cost for the year. Extra students beyond two are $30/year each.
•  Research communications: Full Members may submit research and scholarly content for distribution through MPA’s communications channels, helping to amplify the work of our academic and research community.

Q: What does “Early Career Member” mean, and how do I qualify?

Early Career Membership is for individuals within the first three years of doctoral degree conferral in psychology. Here’s how the pricing works:

• Year 1 (within 3 years of conferral): FREE
• Years 2 & 3: $190/year

Important: Proof of doctoral degree or an official transcript is required to qualify for Early Career pricing. Please have this documentation ready when applying or renewing. Please note: the three-year Early Career window begins at the date of doctoral degree conferral — prior student membership with MPA does not count toward or against this period.

Early Career Members enjoy full voting rights, access to the MPA Newsletter and listserv, discounted convention and CE rates, and are eligible to hold office and serve as committee chairs.

Q: I’m a Full Member. How do the free student add-ons work?

Starting in 2026, each Full Member can add up to two student members at no additional cost for that membership year. If you supervise students or work closely with trainees, this is a great way to get them connected to MPA at no cost to them or you. Additional students beyond two can be added for $30/year each.

Q: I’m a retired member. Why did my dues increase from $40 to $100?

The Retired/Exempt Member dues have been updated to $100/year to better reflect the full package of benefits retired members receive — full voting rights, newsletter access, the listserv, discounted convention and CE rates, and eligibility to hold office and serve as committee chairs. To qualify:

• Be a current MPA member with at least 5 years of continuous membership
• Be age 65 or older
• Be retired and providing fewer than 10 hours of mental health work per month

Questions about your eligibility? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

Q: I’m an Associate Member. Is anything changing for me?

Nothing is changing for Associate Members! Your dues remain $175/year. You’ll continue to have access to the MPA Newsletter and discounted rates at convention and CE offerings. Associate Members may serve on committees but are not eligible to hold office or serve as committee chairs.

Q: I’m a Student Member. Is anything changing for me?

Your dues stay the same at $30/year. The big news for students is that Full Members can now add up to two students to their membership for free — so check with your supervisor or faculty advisor to see if they’d like to add you at no cost!

Q: When do these changes take effect?

All changes take effect for the 2026 membership year. If you have questions about your current membership status or renewal, please contact us at mpa@mpassoc.org or 601-608-7677.

Q: How do I renew or join?

Online: Visit www.mpassoc.org and complete the application with credit card payment.

By mail: Download the application and mail with a check payable to MPA, P.O. Box 16544, Jackson, MS 39236.