You Mean There Is A
National NSSLHA!!
Understanding the
difference between local
and national membership
What is NSSLHA?

The National Student Speech Language Hearing
Association is a pre-professional association for
students interested in the study of communication
science and disorders.

NSSLHA began in 1972 through a merger of Sigma
Alpha Eta (a speech honor society) and the ASHA
Journal Group to provide pre-professional resources
to students to prepare them for careers as
professional audiologists, speech-language
pathologists, and speech-hearing scientists.
Important Facts about NSSLHA

Beginning January 2012 NSSLHA is an
AFFILIATE ASSOCIATION of ASHA.

NSSLHA has a shared working relationship
with ASHA but is not governed by ASHA.

NSSLHA is governed by 22 STUDENTS and
4 FACULTY/ASHA members that serve as
consultants.
NSSLHA Membership

Any student with an interest in the communication sciences and
their related disorders may apply for national membership in
NSSLHA.

National membership is available to audiology majors and SLP
majors.

National membership is available to full- and part-time students.

National membership is available to undergraduate and graduate
students.

National membership is available to students enrolled in an
assistant programs or to students in a doctoral program.
NSSLHA’s By the Numbers

There are over 12,000 members in NSSLHA.

There are 315 local chapters throughout the
United States, Canada and Greece.

97% of NSSLHA members are graduate
students.
Local Chapters

The National Office has granted graduate and
undergraduate programs the authority to
operate independent and autonomous
chapters.

Local chapters are required to maintain
separate by-laws from the national
association.

Local chapters are required to have their own
501 c 3 (non-profit) status.
Local Chapters

Local chapters elect their officers.

Local chapters are required to recertify
annually with the national association.

Local chapters must have an advisor
that is a member of ASHA and officers
that have national membership.
What is the difference between
local and national membership?

Local Membership
•
•
•
Gives you membership in
the local chapter only!

National Membership
•
Qualifies you to receive
national benefits:
Is a different and
separate cost from
national membership.
The cost to join is
determined by the local
chapter.
•
•
•
•
•
•
May be necessary to
receive local chapter
benefits.
•
•
Online Journal Access
Liability Insurance
Convention Discount
Conversion Discount
$10 Special Interest
Group Membership
Eligibility for national
leadership positions on
the Executive Council
Eligibility for Honors
Costs $60 to join
What is the difference between
local and national membership?

Local Membership
•
•
Apply through your local
NSSLHA chapter!
Allows you to vote for
local chapter officers.

National Membership
•
•
•
•
Apply online through the
NSSLHA Website.
Provides you with a
national membership
card and an account
number that will be
assigned to you
throughout your
affiliation with the
profession.
Allows you to vote in
national elections.
Should become a local member or a national
member?

It’s better to have membership in BOTH!

There is strength in numbers!

As a member of you are a better advocate for the
profession.

As a member you are a better student.

As a member you have access to information, people
and resources.
More Information

The NSSLHA Website http://www.nsslha.org.

Your Regional Councilor Representative.
http://www.nsslha.org/council/regions/default/

Your local chapter officers and advisor.