- What are the benefits of an AAR membership?
- Members of the American Academy of Religion (AAR) have access to a variety of exclusive benefits designed to enhance their professional development and grow their network. See member benefits.
- How much will my membership cost?
- The cost of AAR membership dues are set based on several categories and types of membership classifications.
We offer flat rate dues amounts for our student and special international members in addition to our income based membership rates for professional and retired members.
- The cost of AAR membership dues are set based on several categories and types of membership classifications.
- How do I join?
- Joining AAR is easy. To join online, see our membership categories, select the option that best suits you and follow the prompts to complete your membership. To join by phone, you may call AAR at 404-727-3049 to complete the process.
- When will I have access to member benefits after joining?
- Your membership will be processed upon receipt of payment and most members will receive immediate access to all member benefits. Please be aware that factors such as high peak renewal especially around the time of our Annual Meetings may delay renewal processing, so please allow up to 48 hours for all systems to be updated and for your access to member benefits to be fully available.
- Do you offer institutional membership?
- Yes, AAR now offers this new membership category designed to bring more value to the institution. Our tiered membership options offer a comprehensive range of benefits, making it easy to find the level of engagement that suits your needs. To find out more, please visit Institutional Memberships.
- Do you provide a membership card or confirmation letter as proof of my AAR membership
- In line with our dedication to the environment and sustainability, we made the decision to discontinue the mailing of physical membership cards. As of now, our members can simply use their payment receipt and welcome communication as confirmation of their AAR Membership.
- Does my membership fee also cover the registration fee for the Annual Meetings?
- No, membership and registration fees are separate, but AAR members receive a steep discount on registration fees for both Annual Meetings. Learn more about registration rates for the Online June Sessions of the Annual Meeting and the in-person November Annual Meeting).
- Will I need to provide an institution email address to sign up as a student member?
- No.
- Do you utilize the member ID numbers for membership or registration?
- AAR no longer utilizes the member ID numbers for membership or registration. Please use the email address that you use as your username and that will grant you access to your account and other member benefits.
- When does my membership expire?
- AAR memberships follow a rolling-year cycle. Each membership lasts one year / 12-months from the join or renew date.
- Will I receive an invoice or membership reminders?
- Yes, AAR will send you an invoice to renew your membership 30 days prior to your renewal date and several email reminders right before and after your expiration date.
- Do you accept checks as a form of payment? What major credit cards do you accept?
- We no longer accept checks. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, as well as ACH and wire transfers.
- Do you offer payment options such as autopay or multi-year memberships?
- We are pleased to offer our members the convenience of an auto payment option, i.e. you can set up automatic payments for future renewals. During the checkout process, you will be prompted with the question, "Would you like to make this a single payment or set up auto payments for future renewals?" If you choose auto payments, your card information will be securely saved for future renewals, but you will still receive renewal reminders. If you ever decide to opt out of auto payments, please contact our membership department and we will be happy to assist you.
- Is there a payment plan or pay later option?
- No, currently the AAR does not offer a payment plan or pay later option.
- How do I obtain my receipt from my account?
- Within your account, you can access your receipt under the communications section. If you encounter any difficulties, please contact the membership department.
- What is your refund policy?
- Refunds for membership dues must be requested within 14 days of the join/renewal date and are at the discretion of the AAR. Membership dues are non-refundable beyond 14 calendar days from the join/renew date.
- Membership dues are non-refundable if the member has registered, participated in, or attended an in-person or online Annual Meeting during the 14-day refundable period. To request a refund, please contact membership@aarweb.org.
- Can I create and change my username on my own?
- Your username will be your email address. If you need to change it, please email us at membership@aarweb.org and include your new email address.
- Where do I find my account profile information, membership status, etc.?
- Once you have logged in, you will have the opportunity to review your account information, including your expiration date and preferences. We highly recommend taking the time to update your account details, such as demographics and personal preferences, to enhance your overall member experience.
- Now that I am a member, where do I go to access members-only resources such as the journal, members savings, and educational offerings?
- Browse our publications, check out our extensive resource library on our Career and Community page, and view all your savings on our benefits and discounts page.
- Is the JAAR complimentary?
- Yes, the digital version of JAAR is complimentary with your membership. Please note, as of January 2025 the journal will no longer be available in print, and we have ceased accepting print version subscriptions.
- Can I use the same login to register for meetings and events, the job board, etc.?
- Yes, the same login information will be used for membership, registering for the Annual Meetings, and accessing the career board.