APA format title page: student guide with example

A title page is short, but it still needs careful formatting. In APA style, it identifies your paper, course, instructor, due date, and page number before the main text begins. A clean first page also makes the assignment easier for your instructor to review.

This guide explains how to create an APA format title page for a student paper. You will see the required elements, placement rules, simple steps, and examples you can adapt.

What is an APA format title page?

An APA title page is the first page of a paper written in American Psychological Association style. For student work, it usually includes the paper title, author name, school, course details, instructor name, due date, and page number.

The page is not meant to be decorative. It should look simple, centered, and consistent with the rest of your paper. In most student assignments, you do not need a running head unless your instructor asks for one.

APA title page requirements for student papers

A student title page follows a set order, with most details centered and the page number in the top-right header. Before typing, check whether your instructor wants a department name or only the school name. In most student papers, the title page includes these elements:

• Paper title.
• Author name.
• Institutional affiliation.
• Course number and name.
• Instructor name.
• Assignment due date.
• Page number.

After adding the details, compare them with your course materials. A title page has little text, so small errors stand out quickly. Check course numbers, instructor titles, and dates before submitting.

Paper title

The title should describe your topic clearly. Use title case, center it, and bold it. A title such as “Sleep Quality and Academic Focus Among First-Year Students” works better than “Sleep and School.”

Author name

Write your first and last name below the title. Do not add titles, degrees, or labels such as “student.” For group papers, follow the author order your instructor gives.

Institutional affiliation

The institutional affiliation usually means your department and school name. If the department is not required, the college or university name may be enough. Use the official name, not an abbreviation.

Course number and name

Write the course number and full course name on one line. For example, use “PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology.” If you also need help with body formatting, this guide on how to write APA paper explains the wider structure.

Instructor name

Use the instructor name exactly as it appears in your syllabus or course platform. If the class lists “Dr. Helen Carter,” write that instead of guessing another title. Formal accuracy fits this page.

Assignment due date

Write the due date in a clear month-day-year format, such as March 20, 2026. Use the assignment deadline, not the day you started the paper. Keep the date on its own line.

Page number

The title page counts as page 1. Insert the number in the top-right header, not in the body or footer. Automatic numbering helps the rest of the paper continue correctly.

APA title page format rules

Formatting rules keep the page clean and easy to scan. Use a readable font, one-inch margins, and double spacing throughout the title page. Avoid borders, images, colored text, or unusual spacing.

The table below gives a quick check before submission. It is not a replacement for your instructor’s sample, but it helps catch common layout problems.

Area	Correct Format	Avoid
Font	Readable APA-approved font	Mixing fonts
Margins	One inch on all sides	Narrow margins
Spacing	Double-spaced lines	Single-spaced blocks
Title	Centered, bold, title case	All caps
Header	Page number at top right	Footer number
Alignment	Centered student details	Random spacing

Font, margins, and spacing

Use one readable font throughout the page. Common choices include 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Arial, or 11-point Calibri, unless your instructor requires something else. Keep the same font in the rest of the paper.

Title case and bold formatting

The paper title should use title case. Capitalize major words, but keep short words such as “and,” “of,” and “the” lowercase unless they begin the title or subtitle. Bold the title only.

Page header and page number placement

For most student papers, the header includes only the page number. The APA 7 title page usually does not require a running head. Add one only when your instructor specifically asks for it.

Where to place each title page element

The title usually begins three or four lines down from the top of the page. It should sit in the upper half, centered and bold. Student details appear below it as a centered block.

How to create an APA title page step by step

If you are planning a longer assignment, an APA outline can help connect your title with the paper’s structure. The title page should introduce the same topic your paper actually develops. Follow these steps:

• Set one-inch margins and choose a readable font.
• Turn on double spacing before typing.
• Insert page number 1 in the top-right header.
• Type the title in bold title case.
• Add your name, school, course, instructor, and due date.

After finishing the steps, preview the page. The centered block should not sit too high or too low. If the page looks crowded, shorten the title rather than shrinking the font.

Step 1: Set up the page formatting

Open a blank document and set one-inch margins. Choose an accepted font and turn on double spacing. Also remove extra paragraph spacing before and after lines.

Step 2: Add the page number

Use the header tool to insert the page number. Select the top-right position and confirm that the first page shows 1. Do not type the number manually.

Step 3: Write and format the paper title

Place the title in the upper half of the page. Center it, bold it, and use title case. If the title wraps to another line, keep it double-spaced.

Step 4: Add your name and school information

Add your name under the title. Then add your department and school name on the next line. This creates the basic APA student title page information block.

Step 5: Add course, instructor, and due date details

Finish with the course number and name, instructor name, and due date. Each detail should appear on its own line. If your assignment needs an APA abstract, it starts on a separate page after the title page.

APA title page example

Examples make the order easier to see. The models below show student title page content, though the page number belongs in the header in a real document. Use them as layout patterns, not text to copy. A correct APA title page example should follow this pattern:

• Page number 1 appears in the top-right header.
• Title is centered, bold, and written in title case.
• Author name appears below the title.
• School, course, instructor, and due date appear on separate lines.
• Running head is omitted unless required.

Once you copy the pattern, check the assignment sheet again. A title page is easy to fix before submission. If APA rules still feel unclear, an APA paper writing service can help with formatting and structure.

Student paper title page example

1

The Effects of Sleep Quality on First-Year College Students

Jordan Lee
Department of Psychology, University of Arizona
PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology
Dr. Maria Santos
April 18, 2026

This example shows a standard class assignment. In a real file, the title would be bold and centered, while the page number would sit in the header.

Research paper title page example

1

Social Media Use and Academic Focus Among Community College Students

Avery Johnson
Department of English, Austin Community College
ENGL 1302: Composition II
Professor Daniel Reed
May 5, 2026

An APA research paper title page follows the same student layout unless your instructor asks for professional-paper features. For longer assignments, keep the title page simple and save detailed context for the introduction. Students who need broader writing help can also write my paper with academic formatting support.

FAQ about APA format title pages

Does an APA paper need a title page?

Yes, most APA student papers need a title page. It identifies the assignment and begins page numbering.

What goes on an APA title page for students?

It includes the title, author name, institution, course, instructor, due date, and page number. Your instructor may add small requirements.

Does an APA title page need a running head?

A student title page usually does not need a running head. Add one only when your instructor requires it.

Is the APA title page counted as page 1?

Yes, the title page counts as page 1. The next page should continue with page 2.

Should the APA title page be double-spaced?

Yes, the whole title page should be double-spaced. This includes the title, student details, course information, instructor name, and date.