Writing Guidelines
Students at the University of Phoenix are expected to follow certain formatting standards when submitting written work, and the formatting standards differ by degree level. The information below outlines the formatting standards that are consistent with the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.
Writing & Style Expectations by Degree Level

Associate Level: Course numbers between 100-299 (e.g., COM/140) | Style Area | Expectations | Tutorials & Guides | Tables and Graphs | No preferred formatting requirements. Check with your instructor for preferences. | Microsoft® Tips and Tools | Headings | No preferred formatting requirements. Check with your instructor for preferences. | Sample Paper | Intellectual Property(citations and references) | Intellectual property is recognized with in-text citations and a reference page, with little emphasis on correct formatting. | Grammar Guide section on PlagiarismReference and Citation ExamplesCitation Generator | Format | • Paper is double-spaced
• 12-point font size
• 1” margins (top, bottom, right, left)
• Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier font | Microsoft® Word Formatting Tutorial | Title Page | Title page includes paper title, student name, course, due date, and faculty name. | Title Page TemplateSample Paper |

Bachelor Level: Course numbers between 100-199 (e.g., SOC/110) | Style Area | Expectations | Tutorials & Guides | Tables and Graphs | No preferred formatting requirements. Check with your instructor for preferences. | Microsoft® Tips and Tools | Headings | No preferred formatting requirements. Check with your instructor for preferences. | Sample Paper | Intellectual Property(citations and references) | Intellectual property is recognized with in-text citations and a reference page, with little emphasis on correct formatting. | Grammar Guide section on PlagiarismReference and Citation ExamplesCitation Generator | Format | • Paper is double-spaced
• 12-point font size
• 1” margins (top, bottom, right, left)
• Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier font | Microsoft® Word Formatting Tutorial | Title Page | Title page includes paper title, student name, course, due date, and faculty name. | Title Page TemplateSample Paper |

Bachelor Level: Course numbers between 200-299 (e.g., BUS/274) | Style Area | Expectations | Tutorials & Guides | Tables and Graphs | Could contain tables, graphs, and figures, but they may not be formatted consistent with APA guidelines. | Microsoft® Tips and Tools | Headings | Uses one heading level | Sample Paper | Intellectual Property(citations and references) | Intellectual property is recognized with in-text citations and a reference page that may contain some formatting errors. | Grammar Guide section on PlagiarismReference and Citation ExamplesCitation Generator | Format | • Paper is double-spaced
• 12-point font size
• 1” margins (top, bottom, right, left)
• Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier font
• May contain formatting errors | Microsoft® Word Formatting Tutorial | Title Page | Title page includes paper title, student name, course, due date, and faculty name. | Title Page TemplateSample Paper |

Bachelor Level: Course numbers between 300-399 (e.g., ACC/300) | Style Area | Expectations | Tutorials & Guides | Tables and Graphs | Uses tables, graphs, figures, and formatting with minor errors. Consistent with APA guidelines. | Microsoft® Tips and Tools | Headings | Uses multiple levels of headings that may contain minor errors. Consistent with APA guidelines. | Sample Paper | Intellectual Property(citations and references) | Intellectual property is cited in text and matches the reference page. Minor errors in citation and reference formatting may be present. Consistent with APA guidelines. | Grammar Guide section on PlagiarismReference and Citation ExamplesCitation Generator | Format | • Paper is double-spaced
• 12-point font size
• 1” margins (top, bottom, right, left)
• Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier font
• May contain minor formatting errors | Microsoft® Word Formatting Tutorial | Title Page | Title page includes paper title, student name, course, due date, and faculty name. | Title Page TemplateSample Paper |

Bachelor Level: Course numbers between 400-499 (e.g., MGT/448) | Style Area | Expectations | Tutorials & Guides | Tables and Graphs | Uses tables, graphs, and figures that are accurately formatted. Consistent with APA guidelines. | Microsoft® Tips and Tools | Headings | Accurately uses multiple levels of headings. Consistent with APA guidelines. | Sample Paper | Intellectual Property(citations and references) | Intellectual property is accurately cited in text and on the reference page. Consistent with APA guidelines. | Grammar Guide section on PlagiarismReference and Citation ExamplesCitation Generator | Format | • Paper is double-spaced
• 12-point font size
• 1” margins (top, bottom, right, left)
• Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier font
• Accurate formatting with few, if any, formatting errors | Microsoft® Word Formatting Tutorial | Title Page | Title page includes paper title, student name, course, due date, and faculty name. | Title Page TemplateSample Paper |

Masters Level M1: Check with your instructor about the appropriate level (i.e., M1 or M2) to follow for each course. | Style Area | Expectations | Tutorials & Guides | Tables and Graphs | Uses tables, graphs, figures, and formatting with minor errors. Consistent with APA guidelines. | Microsoft® Tips and Tools | Headings | Uses multiple levels of headings with minor errors. Consistent with APA guidelines. | Sample Paper | Intellectual Property(citations and references) | Intellectual property is cited in text and matches the reference page. Minor errors in citation and reference formatting may be present. Consistent with APA guidelines. | Grammar Guide section on PlagiarismReference and Citation ExamplesCitation Generator | Format | • Paper is double-spaced
• 12-point font size
• 1” margins (top, bottom, right, left)
• Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier font
• Paper may contain minor APA formatting errors | Microsoft® Word Formatting Tutorial | Title Page | Title page includes paper title, student name, course, due date, and faculty name. | Title Page TemplateSample Paper |

Masters Level M2: Check with your instructor about the appropriate level (i.e., M1 or M2) to follow for each course. | Style Area | Expectations | Tutorials & Guides | Tables and Graphs | Accurately uses tables, graphs, figures, and formatting. Consistent with APA guidelines. | Microsoft® Tips and Tools | Headings | Accurately uses multiple levels of headings. Consistent with APA guidelines. | Sample Paper | Intellectual Property(citations and references) | Intellectual property is accurately cited in text and on the reference page. Consistent with APA guidelines. | Grammar Guide section on PlagiarismReference and Citation ExamplesCitation Generator | Format | • Paper is double-spaced
• 12-point font size
• 1” margins (top, bottom, right, left)
• Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier font
• Paper has few, if any, APA formatting errors | Microsoft® Word Formatting Tutorial | Title Page | Title page includes paper title, student name, course, due date, and faculty name. | Title Page TemplateSample Paper |

Doctoral Level D1: Check with your instructor about the appropriate level (i.e., D1 or D2) to follow for each course. | Style Area | Expectations | Tutorials & Guides | Tables and Graphs | Uses tables, graphs, figures, and formatting with minor errors. Consistent with APA guidelines. | Microsoft® Tips and Tools | Headings | Uses multiple levels of headings with only minor errors. Consistent with APA guidelines. | Sample Paper | Intellectual Property(citations and references) | Intellectual property is cited in text and matches the reference page. Minor errors in citation and reference formatting may be present. Consistent with APA guidelines | Grammar Guide section on PlagiarismReference and Citation ExamplesCitation Generator | Format | • Paper is double-spaced
• 12-point font size
• 1” margins (top, bottom, right, left)
• Times New Roman or Arial font
• Paper may contain minor APA formatting errors | Microsoft® Word Formatting Tutorial | Title Page | Title page and running head are formatted consistent with APA guidelines. | Title Page TemplateSample Paper |

Doctoral Level D2: Check with your instructor about the appropriate level (i.e., D1 or D2) to follow for each course. | Style Area | Expectations | Tutorials & Guides | Tables and Graphs | Accurately uses tables, graphs, figures, and formatting. Consistent with APA guidelines. | Microsoft® Tips and Tools | Headings | Accurately uses multiple levels of headings. Consistent with APA guidelines. | Sample Paper | Intellectual Property(citations and references) | Intellectual property is accurately cited in text and on the reference page. Consistent with APA guidelines. | Grammar Guide section on PlagiarismReference and Citation ExamplesCitation Generator | Format | • Paper is double-spaced
• 12-point font size
• 1” margins (top, bottom, right, left)
• Times New Roman or Arial font
• Paper has few, if any, APA formatting errors | Microsoft® Word Formatting Tutorial | Title Page | Title page and running head are formatted consistent with APA guidelines | Title Page TemplateSample Paper |