Academy Membership Overview
A member of the NAAL is either a recognized authority in the field of liturgy, or a person who shares scholarly aims and goals of the Academy, and is making a developing contribution to liturgical understanding and practice.
Visitor Status Membership Application Member Dues Scholarships
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.
Application for Full Membership
After participation as a visitor, a candidate for membership can initiate the application process by submitting a membership application and providing names and contact information of two references to the Delegate for Membership.
- Complete the NAAL Membership Application no later than Sept. 15.
- Provide two letters of recommendation. One is from the convener of the applicant's seminar. The other is from another academy member. It is the responsibility of the candidate to request the recommendations. Those writing letters of recommendation should use the following forms:
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:
Scholarship Application
Scholarship forms are due on November 1 prior to the annual meeting you would like to attend. For information and application for a scholarship, please see our scholarship page: