ELEMENTS OF THESES OR DISSERTATIONS

The Graduate School has specific guidelines for the presentation and writing of the thesis or dissertation. The Graduate School requires a specific page order and formatting of each page.  

Listed below is the suggested page order for the dissertation or thesis. The components to be included in any given thesis or dissertation should be determined by mutual agreement between the student and his/her advisory committee. For each component of the thesis there is a prepared format to ensure that the student complies. Below are prepared templates formatted according to Graduate School guidelines. These are to be used as samples. The departments should provide the student with the format/guidelines they should follow for each of the items below:

• Abstract (required)
• Blank Cover Sheet (required)
• Title Page (required)
• Copyright Page (required)
• Signature Page (required) The signed signature page is to be delivered separately to the Graduate School.
• Dedication (optional)
• Acknowledgement (optional)
• Table of Contents (required)
• List of Tables/Figures (as appropriate)
• List of Symbols/Abbreviations (as appropriate)
• Preface (optional)
• Text (body of thesis) (required)
• References (required)
• Appendix A (IRB or IACUC Approval letters required if human subjects or animals used)
• Appendix B (Permission Letters)
• Blank Cover Sheet (required)