Directorates and Programs

With more than 500 employees, the Central Office provides staff for all of the boards and committees, runs one of the largest scientific publishing houses in the world, invests in stocks, manages real estate and interacts with private, state and federal agencies and organizations. In addition to collecting member dues and fees each year, the Central Office generates additional income to expand the activities and services of APA.

Directorates and Programs

• Executive Office
  Responsible for the implementation of APA policies and the management of the day-to-day functions of the association as well as several key programs:

- American Psychological Association of Graduate Students

- Ethics Office

- International Affairs

• APA Office of the General Counsel
  The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is responsible for all aspects of legal counsel and representation of APA. It is also responsible for selection and supervision of outside legal counsel.

• Education Directorate
  Seeks to advance education and training in psychology, and the application of psychology to education and training, through institutions, programs, and initiatives.

• Practice Directorate
  Promotes the practice of psychology and the availability and accessibility of psychological services, providing resources and services to practicing psychologists in all settings and to the public.

• Public Interest Directorate
  Applies psychology to the fundamental problems of human welfare and the promotion of equitable and just treatment of all segments of society through education, training, and public policy.

• Science Directorate
  Communicates, facilitates, promotes, and represents psychological science and scientists in academic and scientific arenas.

• Governance Affairs
  Provides managerial support services to APA’s Council of Representatives, Board of Directors, president, committees and boards, and professional divisions.

• APA Publications and Databases
  Produces an array of books, scholarly journals, videos and databases that cover the spectrum of psychology.

• Public and Member Communications
  The Public and Member Communications Directorate is responsible for APA's outreach to its members and affiliates and to the general public.

• IT Services
  Manages APA’s technology infrastructure and provides core business systems development as well as custom business applications development.