cover page in apa format

What is a Cover Page in APA Format?

A cover page, also known as a title page, is the first page of an academic paper written in APA (American Psychological Association) format. It serves as the introduction to the paper, providing essential information about the document, such as the title, author's name, institutional affiliation, and date.

APA Cover Page Requirements

According to the APA Publication Manual (7th ed.), a cover page in APA format should include the following elements:

Title: The title of the paper should be centered and in title case, with no more than 12 words. It should be concise, yet informative, and should not contain abbreviations or words that serve no purpose.

Author's Name: The author's name should be written below the title, also centered. It should include the first name, middle initial(s), and last name, without titles (e.g., Dr., Mr., Ms.).

Institutional Affiliation: The institutional affiliation should be written below the author's name, centered. It should include the name of the university, college, or institution where the research was conducted.

Date: The date should be written below the institutional affiliation, centered. It should include the month, day, and year of the paper's submission or completion.

APA Cover Page Format Guidelines

In addition to the required elements, there are specific guidelines for the format of the cover page in APA style:

Font: The font should be clear, legible, and consistent throughout the paper. The recommended font is 12-point Times New Roman.

Margin: The margin should be set to at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) on all sides (top, bottom, left, and right).

Indentation: There should be no indentation on the cover page.

Spacing: The lines on the cover page should be double-spaced, with no extra space between the lines.

APA Cover Page Example

Here is an example of a cover page in APA format:

The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health

Jessica Smith

University of California, Los Angeles

February 10, 2023

Remember to carefully follow the APA guidelines when creating your cover page to ensure that it is accurate, complete, and visually appealing.