There are several important differences between student and professional papers. Make sure to partner with your professor to understand the expectations for your assignment; some professors may request elements that are not required by APA.
Required elements in a student paper include:
Student papers may also include tables, figures, and/or appendices. Student papers, however, do not require a running head, an author note, or an abstract.
A professional paper requires:
Professional papers also might include keywords, footnotes, tables, figures, appendices, and/or supplemental materials.
In a student paper, title pages should include:
More information about the title page in a student paper can be found here or on pages 30-32 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th ed.
APA has an example of a student paper on pages 61-67 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th ed. This paper can also be found on the APA website.
In a professional paper, title pages should include:
More information about the title page in a professional paper, including an example, can be found here or on pages 30-31 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th ed.
APA provides an example of a professional paper on pages 50-60 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th ed. This can also be found on the APA website.
