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Contents
· APA 7th Edition vs. 6th Edition: Key Title Page Changes
· General Formatting Rules (Both Paper Types)
· Student APA Title Page Format & Template
· Professional APA Title Page Format (Journal Papers) & Template
· How to Format the Running Head (Professional Papers Only)
· How to Format Multiple Authors
· Can You Include an Image on the APA Title Page?
· Step-by-Step: Creating Your APA Title Page in Microsoft Word
· Need Help Formatting Your Full Manuscript?
· Source
The title page is the first thing a reader, instructor, or journal editor sees when they open your paper. Getting it right sets the tone for everything that follows. The American Psychological Association (APA) 7th edition, released in 2019, introduced several key changes from the 6th edition, most notably, separate formatting rules for student papers and professional (journal) papers.
This guide walks you through every element of both title page types, corrects the most common mistakes, and includes downloadable Word templates so you can get started immediately.
What Is an APA Title Page?
An APA title page (also called a cover page) is the opening page of any APA-formatted paper. It provides essential identifying information like who wrote the paper, where they are affiliated, and what the paper is about. This is all arranged according to specific formatting rules.
APA 7th edition specifies two distinct title page formats:
• Student title page: for papers submitted to an instructor for a grade
• Professional title page: for manuscripts submitted to academic journals for publication
Knowing which format applies to you is the first step.
APA 7th Edition vs. 6th Edition: Key Title Page Changes
Many writers still use 6th edition habits. Here is what changed in the 7th edition:
Element | 6th Edition | 7th Edition |
Running head label | Required on all papers (“Running head: TITLE”) | Required on professional papers only; student papers do not need one |
Student papers | No separate format | Distinct format with course number, instructor, and due date |
Author note | Required on all papers | Required on professional papers only |
Affiliation | Department optional | Department name is required for both paper types |
ORCID iD | Not mentioned | Included in the Author Note for professional papers |
General Formatting Rules (Both Paper Types)
Before looking at the specific elements, apply these baseline formatting rules to your entire title page:
• Font: 12-point Times New Roman (or a comparable legible font)
• Spacing: Double-spaced throughout
• Margins: 1 inch on all four sides
• Alignment: All title page content is centered (except the Author Note on professional papers, which is left-aligned)
• Page number: Page 1 appears in the top-right header
Student APA Title Page Format & Template
The student title page is simpler than the professional format. It does not require a running head or an Author Note unless your instructor specifically asks for them.
Template
Download your free Student APA title page template here: APA_Student_Title_Page_Template
Required Elements
Element | Formatting Rules |
Paper title | Bold, centered, in the upper half of the page (approximately 3–4 blank lines below the top margin). Use title case. Keep it under 12 words if possible. |
Author name(s) | Centered on the line below the title. Use first name, middle initial(s), and last name. Do not include titles (Dr., Prof.) or degrees (PhD, MA). |
Affiliation | The name of your department and institution, centered. Format: “Department of Psychology, University of Michigan” |
Course number and name | Enter exactly as shown in your course materials (e.g., “PSYC 201: Introduction to Psychology”) |
Instructor name | Use the name and title as shown in your syllabus (e.g., “Professor Jane Smith”) |
Due date | The assignment due date. Use the date format common in your country (e.g., October 15, 2025) |
Page number | “1” in the top-right header — no running head required |
Student Title Page Example
Professional APA Title Page Format (Journal Papers) & Template
The professional title page is used when submitting a manuscript for publication in an academic journal. It includes additional elements—a running head, an Author Note, and (optionally) ORCID iDs—that help journal editors process and identify submissions.
Template
Download your free professional APA title page template here:APA_Professional_Title_Page_Template
Required Elements
Element | Formatting Rules |
Paper title | Bold, centered, in the upper half of the page. Use title case. |
Author name(s) | Centered below the title. List all authors in the order they should appear in the publication. |
Affiliation | For each author, include the department name and the institution where the research was conducted. Center each affiliation. For multiple affiliations, list each on a separate line. |
Running head | An abbreviated version of the title (50 characters or fewer, in ALL CAPS) that appears in the header of every page, flush left. Do not include the label “Running head:” in 7th edition. |
Page number | “1” in the top-right header, on the same line as the running head. |
Author Note | Placed in the lower portion of the title page, left-aligned. Includes ORCID iDs, changes in affiliation, acknowledgments, disclosures, conflicts of interest, and contact information. |
Professional Title Page Example
How to Format the Running Head (Professional Papers Only)
The running head is one of the most commonly misformatted elements in professional APA papers.
• Appears in the header on every page of the manuscript, including the title page
• Flush left in the header; page number is flush right
• Written in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
• Maximum 50 characters (including spaces and punctuation)
• Does not include the words “Running head:” (removed in 7th edition)
Example:
• Full title: The Relationship Between Mindfulness Meditation and Stress Reduction in Adolescents
• Running head: MINDFULNESS AND STRESS REDUCTION IN ADOLESCENTS
How to Format Multiple Authors
Two authors: List both names separated by “and” (not an ampersand).
Maria J. Rodriguez and David H. Kim |
Three or more authors: List all names separated by commas, with “and” before the final name.
Maria J. Rodriguez, David H. Kim, and Susan L. Park |
Authors from different institutions: List each affiliation on a separate centered line. Use superscript numbers to link each author to their affiliation if needed (follow your target journal’s specific guidelines, as some have unique requirements).
Can You Include an Image on the APA Title Page?
There are no official APA rules prohibiting an image on the title page, but there are no guidelines actively encouraging one either. If you choose to include an image:
• Obtain the necessary permissions from the image’s creator
• Include a note beneath the image, beginning with the word Note. in italics followed by a period
• Acknowledge the source clearly (e.g., Note. Adapted from [Source Title] by [Author], [Year], [Publisher]. Copyright [Year] by [Publisher].)
For most academic submissions, particularly journal manuscripts, it is safest to omit images from the title page unless the journal explicitly permits or requests them.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Using the 6th Edition Running Head Format
Do not write “Running head: MY TITLE” — that format was retired in the 7th edition. For professional papers, write the abbreviated title in all caps directly in the header with no label.
2. Including a Running Head on a Student Paper
Student papers in the 7th edition do not require a running head unless your instructor specifically asks for one.
3. Omitting the Department from the Affiliation
Both student and professional papers must include the department name, not just the institution name.
4. Using Degrees or Titles in the Author Name
Never write “Dr. Jane Smith, PhD” on the title page. APA style uses first name, middle initial(s), and last name only.
5. Not Double-Spacing the Title Page
Every element on the title page, including blank lines between elements, should maintain double-spacing.
6. Writing an Overlong Title
Aim for 12 words or fewer. Titles should be descriptive and specific, not creative or vague. Avoid opening with filler phrases like “A Study of…” or “An Investigation into…”
Step-by-Step: Creating Your APA Title Page in Microsoft Word
1. Set your font to Times New Roman, 12pt
2. Set line spacing to Double (Home → Paragraph → Line Spacing → 2.0)
3. Set margins to 1 inch on all sides (Layout → Margins → Normal)
4. Insert a header (Insert → Header): type your running head (professional) or just add the page number (student)
5. Press Enter 3–4 times from the top of the page body
6. Type your title in bold, centered
7. Press Enter once (which adds a double-spaced blank line)
8. Type each subsequent element on its own line, centered
9. For professional papers, type the Author Note left-aligned in the lower portion of the page
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an APA student and professional title page?
Student title pages include the course number, instructor name, and assignment due date. Professional title pages replace those fields with a running head and a detailed Author Note (including ORCID iD and conflict of interest disclosures).
Does APA 7th edition require a running head for student papers?
No. The 7th edition removed the running head requirement for student papers. Only professional manuscripts submitted for publication need a running head.
How long should the APA title be?
APA recommends keeping titles concise, ideally under 12 words. The title should clearly describe the paper’s main topic without filler phrases like “A Study of…” or “An Examination of…”
Can an APA title page have more than one author?
Yes. List all authors in the order they should appear in the final publication. For two authors, use “and” between names. For three or more, use commas and “and” before the last name.
What font should I use for an APA title page?
APA recommends 12-point Times New Roman as the default. Other acceptable options include 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, or 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode, but confirm with your instructor or target journal before deviating from Times New Roman.
Does the title page count as page 1?
Yes. The title page is always page 1, and the page number “1” should appear in the top-right corner of the header.
What goes in the Author Note?
The Author Note on a professional paper typically includes: ORCID iDs for each author, any changes in author affiliation since the research was conducted, acknowledgments and funding sources, disclosures or conflicts of interest, and correspondence contact information (mailing address and email).
Need Help Formatting Your Full Manuscript?
Getting the title page right is only the beginning. Editage’s Manuscript Formatting Service formats your entire paper to the precise requirements of your target journal, so you can focus on the research, not the rulebook.
Source
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000
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