Academy Membership Overview

Criteria for Membership

Typically, members of the Academy meet two of the following criteria:

• hold a doctorate in some aspect of liturgical studies or the equivalent academic or professional degree
• hold a professional position through which they contribute to liturgical formation, publishing and speaking
• hold a prominent professional appointment with their respective religious bodies and actively contribute to the development of liturgy
• demonstrate a steady and on-going commitment to the field of liturgy, or have contributed to it through work in the allied arts and disciplines

Graduate students are eligible to apply to attend the Annual Meeting when they have moved to the end of their doctoral or equivalent terminal degree programs.

Visitor Status Requirement

Before applying for full membership in the Academy, candidates are ordinarily expected to participate at least twice in the Annual Meeting as approved visitors. Applications are due on November 1 prior to the annual meeting you would like to attend.

Visitor Application Details »

Application for Full Membership

After participation as a visitor, a candidate for membership can initiate the application process by submitting a membership application and requesting three references to the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

1. Complete the NAAL Membership Application no later than Sept. 15.
2. Request three references. These are due with application no later than Sept. 15.
   Three academy members must provide references on behalf of the candidate. The convener and one other member of the applicant's seminar group must be two of those who will write recommendations. It is the responsibility of the candidate to request the letters of reference. Those who are providing a reference for you should use the following online forms:

• Recommendation by Seminar Convener
• Recommendation by a Seminar Member
• Recommendation by a NAAL Member (not in your seminar group)

Membership Application Deadlines

All documents supporting candidacy or reconsideration must be received by September 15 of any year for review by the Admissions Committee before election the following January.

The Admissions Committee meets each year, normally in early Fall to consider the applications received and to recommend those candidates it regards as qualified for election by the membership.

By November 1 the chair of the Admissions Committee will notify the candidates of the action of the Committee.

Candidates recommended for admission to the Academy will be invited to attend the next Annual Meeting. Candidates who are not able to attend the meeting may be elected in absentia.

Reconsideration

If an individual applicant is not successful in being elected to membership in a given year, it is the responsibility of that person to re-open consideration by submitting a renewed application with additional information prior to a regular meeting of the Admissions Committee.

Expedited Membership

On occasion the academy committee does grant expedited membership to established scholars in the field.

Membership Questions

Membership questions should be directed to the Delegate for Membership:

Martha Moore Keish
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Scholarship Application

Use the following online form to apply for a scholarship for the Annual Meeting. Scholarship forms are due on November 1 prior to the annual meeting you would like to attend.

Scholarship Form

Scholarship questions should be directed to the Past President.

Jill Crainshaw
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