Do I Need a Running Head in APA 7?
The Short Answer
In APA 7th edition, student papers do not require a running head unless specifically requested by an instructor. Only professional papers intended for publication must include a running head. All papers, however, must still include a page number in the top right corner of every page.
Student vs. Professional Paper Requirements
| Feature | Student Paper | Professional Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Running Head | Not required | Required |
| Page Numbers | Required (top right) | Required (top right) |
| Label 'Running head:' | Never used | Never used |
| Character Limit | N/A | Max 50 characters |
| Alignment | N/A | Flush left |
| Capitalization | N/A | ALL CAPS |
Running Head Rules for Student Papers
The APA 7th edition updated its guidelines to simplify formatting for students. Under these rules, the header of a student paper should only contain the page number. The number sits in the top right corner of the page header, starting with page 1 on the title page. You should not include the title of your paper in the header unless your professor provides specific instructions to follow professional formatting standards.
Running Head Rules for Professional Papers
Professional papers, such as those being submitted to journals for publication, require a running head on every page. This running head is an abbreviated version of the paper title. It must be written in all capital letters and aligned to the left margin of the header. The page number remains aligned to the right margin. Importantly, the 7th edition removed the 'Running head:' prefix that was required in the 6th edition. Now, you only provide the title snippet itself.
Header Examples: Student vs. Professional
### Student Paper Header (Top of Page 1) [Flush Right] 1 ### Professional Paper Header (Top of Page 1) [Flush Left] EFFECTS OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION [Flush Right] 1 Note that in the professional example, the running head is a shortened version of a full title like 'The Long-Term Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance in Adolescents.'
Formatting Tip
Always check your assignment rubric or syllabus. While APA 7 defaults to no running head for students, many graduate-level programs or specific departments still prefer the professional format to prepare students for academic publishing. If you are unsure, adding a running head is usually safer than omitting one required by a strict professor.
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