The divisions provided for in the AHA Constitution and Bylaws are the major units for the development of recommendations of policy to the governing Council, and the elected vice presidents, as chairs of the divisions, play key roles in the Association's efforts to discharge its responsibilities. The three divisions are designed to provide the Council with information, advice, and proposals in connection with subjects or areas of concern assigned to them by the Council.

Each division consists of a vice president (chair) and three members who are elected for staggered three-year terms. The executive director also serves ex officio on each division.

Article VI of the AHA Constitution and Bylaws defines the role of the three divisions as follows:

The Professional Division (Section 4):

“It shall be the duty of the Professional Division, under the direction of the Council, to collect and disseminate information about employment opportunities and to help ensure equal opportunities for all historians, regardless of individual membership in the Association.”

The Research Division(Section 2):

“It shall be the duty of the Research Division, under the direction of the Council, to help promote historical scholarship, to encourage the collection and preservation of historical documents and artifacts, to ensure equal access to information, and to foster the dissemination of information about historical records and research.”

The Teaching Division (Section 3):

“It shall be the duty of the Teaching Division, under the direction of the Council, to collect and disseminate information about the training of teachers and about instructional techniques and materials and to encourage excellence in the teaching of history in the schools, colleges, and universities.”

For more information and specific reports see individual division pages.