The mark consists of the dark letters "apsa" written horizontally across the top of the mark against a light background. Underneath the "sa" of "apsa" are the words "AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION" written horizontally and stacked vertically in that order, with no two words appearing on the same horizontal line together. The words "AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION" appear in lighter text than the letters "apsa" at the top of the mark. Underneath the "ap" of "apsa" are two swooshes. The swooshes originate immediately to the left of "AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION" and both curve upward. The bottom swoosh is darker than the background. The second swoosh is thinner and shorter than the bottom swoosh, and is also darker than the background, but not as dark as the bottom swoosh. Both swooshes come to points to the left of the "a" in "apsa" in the top half of the mark. A third swoosh originates on the top border of the mark to the left of the "a" in "apsa." It is shorter than the other two swooshes and curves downwards, terminating in a point in between the two other swooshes. It is also darker than the background, and darker than the second, lighter swoosh.