How To Make A Title Page In Apa Format

Creating an APA title page is the first step toward producing a professional‑looking academic paper that meets the standards of the American Psychological Association (APA) 7th edition. That said, this guide walks you through every element required, from the centered title and author names to the correct spacing and formatting. Mastering these details not only ensures compliance with APA guidelines but also makes a strong impression on reviewers, professors, and journal editors.

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Key Elements of an APA Title Page

An APA title page contains five core components:

1. Page header (running head) – a short version of the title that appears at the top of every page.
2. Full title – the complete title of your paper, centered on the page.
3. Author name(s) – your name appears beneath the title, often with a line break for multiple authors.
4. Institutional affiliation – the university or organization where the research was conducted.
5. Course, instructor, and due date – optional for student papers but commonly included.

Each element must be formatted precisely to meet APA style requirements.

Step‑by‑Step Instructions

Below is a numbered list of the exact steps you should follow when constructing your title page.

1. Set up the document

   • Open a new Microsoft Word document (or your preferred word processor).
   • Choose APA 7th edition settings: go to Layout → Margins and set 1 inch on all sides.
   • Select Times New Roman font, 12 pt.
   • Ensure double‑spacing is applied throughout the entire document.

2. Insert the running head

   • Press Ctrl+Alt+PgDn (or handle to Insert → Header → Blank) to open the header section.
   • Type Running head: followed by a space and the shortened title (usually fewer than five words).
   • Example: Running head: Effects of Sleep on Memory.
   • Bold the words “Running head:” and keep the shortened title in plain text.
   • Align the header to the left and add a page number in the top‑right corner (Insert → Page Number → Top Right).
   • Note: In APA 7, the running head is not required for student papers unless specified by the instructor, but it is mandatory for published works.

3. Create the title page header

   • Return to the first page by double‑clicking the body of the document.
   • Press Enter to create a blank line, then type the full title of your paper.
   • Center the title using the Center alignment button.
   • Use title case (capitalize the first letter of each word except for articles, conjunctions, and prepositions).
   • Example: The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Self‑Esteem.
   • Press Enter twice after the title.

4. Add author information

   • Type your full name (first, middle initial if applicable, last).
   • Press Enter once, then type the institutional affiliation (e.g., “University of Example, City, State”).
   • Press Enter twice more to create space before the next section.

5. Include optional details (student papers)

   • If you are a student, add the course name, instructor’s name, and the due date on separate lines beneath the affiliation.
   • Example:

     PSY 410: Developmental Psychology  
     Dr. Jane Smith  
     April 15, 2024  
     

   • Keep these lines centered and double‑spaced.

6. Verify spacing and alignment

   • Select the entire title page (Ctrl+A) and check that all text is centered (except the running head, which is left‑aligned).
   • Ensure there is no extra space before or after paragraphs.
   • Use the Paragraph dialog to confirm Line spacing: Double and Alignment: Center for title, author, and affiliation.

7. Save the document

   • Save the file with a descriptive name that includes your paper’s title, e.g., Smith_APA_Title_Page.docx.
   • Keep a backup copy in case you need to edit later.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Incorrect running head format – The word “Running head:” must be bold, and the shortened title should not be bold.
• Misaligned text – The title, author, and affiliation should be perfectly centered; even a slight offset can be noticeable.
• Font or size errors – Using 11 pt or a different font will cause the title page to fail an automatic check.
• Missing institutional affiliation – This is a required element for APA title pages; omit it at your own risk.
• Single‑spacing – The title page must follow the same double‑spacing rule as the rest of the manuscript.

Tips for a Polished Title Page

• Use the “Header & Footer Tools” in Word to lock the running head and page number, preventing accidental edits.
• Check the “First page only” option in the Header settings if you do not want the running head to appear on the first page (APA 7 allows this for student papers, but the running head must still be present on subsequent pages).
• Preview the document using Print Layout view to see exactly how the title page will appear in the final PDF.
• Run an APA checker (many universities provide one) to verify compliance before submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I’m not a student and don’t have an institutional affiliation?

If you are an independent researcher, you can list your organization (e.g., “American Psychological Association”) or simply write “Independent Researcher.” The key is to provide a clear source for your work.

Can I use a different font for the title?

No. APA style mandates Times New Roman, 12 pt for the entire manuscript, including the title page. Deviating from this requirement may result in rejection during editorial review Easy to understand, harder to ignore..

Is the running head required for all papers?

In APA 7, the running head is required for published articles. For student papers, instructors may waive this requirement, but it is advisable to include it unless explicitly told otherwise.

How many authors should be listed on the title page?

List all authors in the order they appear in the manuscript. Use commas to separate names, and add an ampersand (&) before the final author’s name Simple, but easy to overlook. But it adds up..

Do I need to include a DOI on the title page?

No. The DOI is placed on the first page of the manuscript (usually after the abstract), not on the title page.

Conclusion

A well‑crafted APA title page sets the tone for your entire academic paper. By following the steps outlined above—properly formatting the running head, centering the title and author information, and ensuring correct spacing and font—you’ll meet the stringent requirements of the APA 7th edition. Attention to these details