Key Takeaways
- No More Running Heads: If you are writing a student paper, the 7th edition of APA style completely eliminated the running head requirement. You only need a page number.
- The Six Core Elements: A student title page requires your paper title, author name, academic department/university, course number and name, instructor’s name, and the assignment due date.
- Bold Your Title: The paper title must be bolded, centered, and placed three to four lines down from the top margin.
- Double Spacing Everywhere: There is no single spacing anywhere on an APA title page. The entire page, including the blank line after your title, must be double-spaced.
If you are a student at a US college or university, there is a very high chance you will have to write a paper in APA format. Created by the American Psychological Association, this style is the gold standard for the social sciences, nursing, business, and education fields.
In 2019, APA released its 7th edition, which brought a massive wave of relief to students across the country. For the first time, APA created two separate sets of rules: one for professional researchers and one specifically for students. The student rules are much simpler and cleaner.
However, your title page is still the first thing your professor sees. If it is messy, misaligned, or uses outdated 6th-edition rules, it sets a bad tone for the rest of your paper. In this guide, we will provide a crystal-clear APA format title page example, break down the exact elements you need, and show you how to set it up perfectly.
The 6 Elements of a Student APA Title Page
Every piece of text on an APA 7th edition student title page must be centered horizontally and double-spaced. You must include these six elements in this exact order:
- Paper Title: Placed three to four lines down from the top margin. It must be bolded and written in Title Case (capitalize the major words).
- Author Name: Your full name (First, Middle Initial, Last). Placed exactly one double-spaced blank line beneath the title. Do not include titles like Mr., Mrs., or Dr.
- Institutional Affiliation: The name of your specific department followed by a comma, and then the name of your university (e.g., Department of Psychology, Ohio State University).
- Course Information: The course number followed by a colon, and then the official course name (e.g., PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology).
- Instructor Name: Your professor’s name, using their preferred title (e.g., Dr. Jane Smith or Professor John Doe).
- Due Date: The date the assignment is due, written in the standard US format (e.g., October 14, 2026).
Visual APA Format Title Page Example
To show you exactly what this looks like on a standard 8.5 x 11-inch document, here is a mock-up of a perfect APA 7th edition student title page.
[Page Header]
(Number “1” placed flush right in the top corner)
(3 to 4 double-spaced blank lines)
The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on College Academic Performance
(1 double-spaced blank line)
Michael T. Rivera
Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin
PSY 301: Research Methods in Psychology
Dr. Sarah Jenkins
November 12, 2026
Student vs. Professional Title Pages
One of the biggest mistakes college freshmen make is looking up an APA example online and accidentally copying the professional version. If you copy the professional version, you will include elements your professor does not want to see, and you will miss the course information they require.
Here is a clear breakdown of the differences between the two formats according to the 7th edition guidelines.
| Element | Student Paper Requirement | Professional Paper Requirement |
| Page Number | Yes (Top Right) | Yes (Top Right) |
| Running Head | No (Do not include) | Yes (Top Left, all caps) |
| Course Number & Name | Yes | No |
| Instructor Name | Yes | No |
| Assignment Due Date | Yes | No |
| Author Note | No | Yes (Bottom half of the page) |
Rule of Thumb: Unless your professor explicitly tells you in the syllabus to use the professional format, always use the student format.
Step-by-Step Setup Guide
Getting your word processor to behave can be frustrating. Whether you are using Microsoft Word or Google Docs, follow these universal steps before you type a single word.
Step 1: Set Your Font and Margins
APA 7 is much more flexible with fonts than previous editions. While 12-point Times New Roman is still the safest and most standard choice, you are also allowed to use 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, or 11-point Georgia. Choose one and stick with it for the entire paper. Ensure your margins are exactly 1 inch on the top, bottom, left, and right.
Step 2: Insert the Page Number
Go to the “Insert” tab on your word processor and select “Page Numbers.” Choose the option that places the number in the top right corner of the header. Make sure the number is in the same font as the rest of your paper. Do not type the word “Page” before the number.
Step 3: Turn on Double Spacing
Highlight your entire blank document (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A), go to your line spacing options, and select “Double.” Also, make sure that the setting “Add space before/after paragraphs” is turned off, as APA requires uniform double spacing everywhere.
Step 4: Center Align and Type
Set your paragraph alignment to “Center.” Press the Enter key three or four times to move down into the upper half of the page. Turn on bold text, type your title, turn off bold text, press Enter twice (to leave one blank line), and then type the rest of your information on separate lines.
Common Formatting Mistakes to Avoid
Even with instructions, students frequently lose points on their title pages for minor formatting errors. Double-check your work against these common pitfalls:
| The Mistake | The APA 7th Edition Fix |
| Typing a Running Head | Student papers do not need the words “Running head:” or a shortened title in the top left. Just use the page number. |
| Bolding Everything | Only the paper title should be in bold text. Your name, school, course, and date must be in standard text. |
| Using All Caps for the Title | Do not type your title in ALL CAPS. Use Title Case (capitalize the first letter of major words). |
| Adding a Title Page Label | Do not type “Title Page” at the top of the document. Start directly with your paper’s title. |
| Underlining the Title | APA format never uses underlines for titles or headings. |
Summary
Setting up your title page correctly sets a professional tone for your entire academic paper. By utilizing our APA format title page example, you can easily implement the 7th edition student guidelines. Remember to use 1-inch margins, double space every line, bold your centered title, and entirely skip the old running head requirement. Once your title page is perfect, the next step is formatting your actual essay content. If you are using Google’s free word processor to write your paper, we highly recommend reading our complete guide on how to set up MLA format in Google Docs step by step to ensure your paragraphs and formatting look exactly the way your professor expects, no matter which style guide you use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does an APA student title page need a running head?
No. According to the APA 7th edition guidelines, student papers do not require a running head. You only need to place the page number (starting with 1) in the top right corner of the header.
How many spaces should be between the title and the author’s name in APA format?
You must leave exactly one double-spaced blank line between your paper’s bolded title and the author’s name. The rest of the elements below your name (affiliation, course, instructor, date) should appear on consecutive double-spaced lines without extra blank lines in between.
Do I need an author note on a student APA paper?
No. Author notes are strictly required for professional papers being submitted for publication in academic journals. Student papers submitted for a grade in a college course do not need an author note.
What font is required for an APA 7 title page?
APA 7 permits several legible fonts. The most common choice is 12-point Times New Roman, but you may also use 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, or 11-point Georgia. Whichever font you choose for your title page must be used consistently throughout the entire paper.
Where should the title be placed on the page?
The title should be positioned in the upper half of the title page. Specifically, you should press the Enter key three to four times (using double spacing) from the top margin before typing your title.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational guidance only. While this guide strictly follows the official 7th edition guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA), individual professors or academic departments may have their own specific formatting preferences or variations. Always check your specific course syllabus or ask your instructor for their exact requirements before submitting your final assignment.
How to format your paper in APA style
This helpful video provides a great visual walkthrough of setting up APA 7 margins, line spacing, and the title page inside your word processor.