Last Updated 3/25/2020
Visual: Video opens to the following text: Transitioning from APA 6 to APA 7 with the Walden Writing Center
Audio: The Writing Center is excited to share details with you about Walden University’s transition from using the 6th edition of the APA manual to the new 7th edition, or what we fondly call, APA 7.
Visual: As the speaker continues, the following appear:
Audio: This includes key dates, an overview of APA 7 changes, support available to you, and suggestions for how to engage with APA 7. We recognize that adopting APA 7 is an important change. While we have already begun working with university partners to ensure a smooth transition, we look forward to working with the wider Walden University community as we prepare for and then adopt APA 7.
Visual: Slide changes to the following: Key Dates
APA 7 will be the new standard for writing assignments starting with summer terms:
Students actively writing their doctoral capstone
Audio: Walden University will adopt APA 7 starting May 4 for semester-based programs and June 1 for quarter-based and Tempo programs. After these dates, all courses will use APA 7 as the new standard for writing assignments.
Students actively writing their doctoral capstone will have a grace period during which they have the option of continuing in APA 6 or moving to APA 7. If a student will have URR approval of their final study or project by the end of 2020, they have the option of completing that study in APA 6 or APA 7, and they should consult with their chair in making this decision. Beginning January 1, 2021, all capstone writers will follow APA 7 guidelines in their study or project manuscripts.
Visual: Slide changes to the following: APA 7 Changes
Audio: The changes in APA 7 that you will see generally revolve around clarifications of many rules that writers found confusing or cumbersome in previous editions and updates for current researching and publishing practices. Many of the changes also embrace inclusivity around accessibility, gender, and identity.
Feel free to look through the APA 6 and 7 comparison chart available on our APA 7 transition page to see details of these changes.
Visual: Slide changes to the following: Support
https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/apa/7transition
Audio: Learning the new APA 7 guidelines may mean learning new rules and replacing old APA 6 habits with new APA 7 ones. This may seem daunting at first, but you’re not alone! We will be providing students and faculty extensive opportunities to engage with the new APA 7 rules, and your home for the switch is our APA 7 transition page.
For Faculty
For Students
Audio: We will host faculty webinars in April, before the transition, and students will be invited to multiple APA 7 webinars in May. We have listed these dates here, and you can find registration and more information in your email, on the Writing Center’s APA 7 transition page, and on our faculty and student webinar pages.
Audio: Starting May 4, all of the Writing Center’s webpages and the APA videos, modules, and webinars will be updated for APA 7, so students and faculty can refer to our materials as a resource.
We are also happy to support you in learning APA 7 through our paper review appointment feedback and answer your questions through our live chat and email.
Finally, remember that your faculty and peers are also going through the same learning process to adopt APA 7. As a university, we are all united in this transition, and we encourage you to talk with your faculty and peers about what you’re learning.
Visual: Slide changes to the following: Engage initial & ongoing
Audio: You’re not required to do anything immediately to prepare for the transition to APA 7; however, we do recommend you approach both your initial and on-going engagement with APA 7 by showing curiosity, using the available resources, and asking questions. Being curious and proactively inquiring about APA 7 will help you get a sense of the changes now and help you learn the changes once we make the transition. Once we make the switch, continue to use the Writing Center’s resources in your on-going work to learn APA 7.
Visual: Slide changes to the following: Questions?
Audio: And of course, ask questions. You are welcome—and encouraged—to reach out to the Writing Center with questions you have about APA 7 now and in the future as we adopt these new standards for our academic writing. We look forward to working with you and the entire university community to make this transition, and we are eager to adopt these new changes in APA 7.