Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
>> What are the membership categories?
>> What is the cost of membership?
>> How can I subscribe to ASA journals as a member?
>> Can I change my journal selection during the year?
>> What are the time parameters of the ASA membership year?
>> Does ASA offer multiple-year memberships?
>> Has my membership been renewed?
>> How do I report a change of address?
>> Are memberships transferable?
>> Can I cancel my membership during the year and receive a refund?
>> May I add an additional section or journal to my membership mid-year?
>> May I join a section without being a member?
>> Do you offer lifetime memberships?
What are the Membership Categories?
ASA offers five different membership types:
Regular Members -- Persons subscribing to the objectives of the Association. Regular Members have one print journal subscription and online access to all ASA journals included in the membership fee. (Voting members)
Student Members -- Undergraduate or graduate students currently enrolled in accredited institutions may select this membership category for as long as their status as full-time student is in effect. Student Members have one print journal subscription and online access to all ASA journals included in the membership fee. (Voting members)
Associate Members -- Persons subscribing to the objectives of the Association but desiring fewer membership benefits. Associate Members have one print journal subscription and online access to all ASA journals included in the membership fee. This category of membership is not open to persons with full-time appointments in U.S. departments of sociology. (Non-voting members)
International Associate Members -- Persons in low-income countries subscribing to the objectives of the Association. Excluded from this category are OECD member countries and countries listed by the World Economic Forum's as the top 35 most globally competitive. (See list of ineligible countries.) International Associate members receive online access to all ASA journals and the online TRAILS database of teaching resources as part of their membership. (Non-voting members)
ASA invites potential International Associate members for whom the US$55 dues rate would be a hardship to request a waiver of the member fee for one year. This opportunity is made possible through a special fund created by ASA member donations. Approximately 10 such waivers are available for International Associate memberships each year. To request a waiver for 2015, send a brief needs-based request to membership@asanet.org.
Emeritus/Retired Members -- Individuals retired from their primary place of employment and no longer receiving payment for sociological work on a salaried basis. Emeritus/Retired members receive online access to all ASA journals as part of their membership. (Voting members)
What is the Cost of Membership?
Dues for regular members are assessed on a sliding scale based on gross annual income.
All ASA members receive online access to all ASA journals as a benefit of membership. Membership dues include one print journal subscription except for International Associate and Emeritus/Retired members. ASA members may purchase additional print journals at discounted member rates.
| Regular Member | Rate |
|---|---|
| (RU) Unemployed | $50 |
| (R1) Under $30,000 | $80 |
| (R2) $30,000-$39,999 | $125 |
| (R3) $40,000-$54,999 | $180 |
| (R4) $55,000-$69,999 | $230 |
| (R5) $70,000-$84,999 | $260 |
| (R6) $85,000-$99,999 | $280 |
| (R7) $100,000-$124,999 | $300 |
| (R8) $125,000-$149,999 | $325 |
| (R9) $150,000 and over | $350 |
| -------------------- | |
| (AM) Associate Member | $100 |
| (SM) Student Member | $50 |
| (ER) Emeritus/Retired Member | $50 |
| (IA) International Associate Member | $55 |
How can I subscribe to ASA journals as a member?
All ASA members receive online access to (non-section) ASA journals as a benefit of membership. In addition, regular, student, and associate membership categories include one print journal. Any ASA member may purchase additional print journal subscriptions at discounted member rates as follows:
American Sociological Review ($45; Student/Unemployed $30)
Contemporary Sociology ($45; Student/Unemployed $30)
Contexts magazine ($45; Student/Unemployed $30)
Journal of Health and Social Behavior ($45; Student/Unemployed $30)
Social Psychology Quarterly ($45; Student/Unemployed $30)
Sociological Methodology ($45; Student/Unemployed $30)
Sociological Theory ($45; Student/Unemployed $30)
Sociology of Education ($45; Student/Unemployed $30)
Teaching Sociology ($45; Student/Unemployed $30)
Can I change my journal selection during the year?
Unfortunately, ASA is not able to change any print journal selection after you have joined or renewed. You may, however, add another print journal at any time.
What are the time parameters of the ASA membership year?
ASA memberships run on a calendar year cycle (January 1 to December 31). All back issues (journals only) already published for the membership year will be mailed within 4-6 weeks of receipt of membership. Applications received prior to October 1 will become effective for the current calendar year. Applications received on or after October 1 will be processed for the next calendar year. ASA does not offer pro-rated membership fees to members joining or renewing after January 1.
Does ASA offer multiple-year memberships?
Yes! Regular ASA members in the R2-R9 income categories are eligible to pre-pay for advanced membership renewals through 2017. A current 2015 membership is required in order to take advantage of the pre-pay benefit. The pre-payment process can be completed through online ASA member portal page.
Has my membership been renewed?
We strongly encourage online renewal, as that processes your renewal immediately (and you may log on to see the status of your renewal at any time). If you renew by mail, you may receive another renewal reminder prior to ASA receiving and entering your renewal, so please allow adequate processing time. Please feel free to contact the membership department to confirm your status at (202) 383-9005 x389 or via e-mail to membership@asanet.org.
How do I report a change of address?
Members may update their address and/or contact information online. Address changes also may be sent directly to the Association via e-mail (membership@asanet.org) or by mail to the ASA office. Change of addresses are not accepted by telephone.
Individual memberships are non-transferable.
Can I cancel my membership during the year and receive a refund?
Membership may be cancelled by contacting the ASA membership department by e-mail or mail, but ASA is not able to offer a refund for cancelled memberships.
May I add an additional section or journal to my membership mid-year?
Yes. You may add sections or print journals online at any time by logging in to the online database or completing a section or journal form available elsewhere on the ASA website.
May I join a section without being a member?
No, section membership is reserved for individuals with current Association memberships only.
Do you offer lifetime memberships?
ASA does not offer lifetime memberships.
Upon request, we will send you a membership application or you can print the membership application from our website. (For an interactive form that can be e-mailed to ASA, click here.)