How to Format a Dissertation or Thesis Title Page: A Step-by-Step Guide

Your dissertation or thesis title page must follow your university's formatting requirements. Although it contains relatively little text, details such as the title's capitalization, degree statement, spacing, and required institutional information can lead to corrections if they do not match the approved format.

The most reliable approach is to check your university's guidelines first, then format the title page in Microsoft Word. These steps will help you prepare a title page that meets your institution's requirements.

Step 1: Check Your University's Title Page Requirements

Before formatting your title page, download your graduate school's official dissertation or thesis formatting guidelines. Requirements can differ between institutions, even when students follow the same style manual.

Check the required elements, their order, margins, font, spacing, title capitalization, and page numbering. If your university provides a sample title page or template, use it as your primary reference.

A general APA, Chicago, or Turabian example may not match your institution's requirements. Follow the university's instructions wherever they specify a different format.

Step 2: Set the Font and Page Layout

Use the font, size, and margins specified in your institution's guidelines. Times New Roman 12 pt is common in academic documents, but it is not a universal requirement.

In Microsoft Word, open the Layout tab to check the page size and margins. Select the title page text and apply the required font and size. Avoid decorative formatting unless your institution specifically requests it.

Step 3: Position and Format the Dissertation or Thesis Title

The title is usually centered and positioned in the upper portion of the page, with spacing determined by the institution's template. Do not assume that it must begin exactly two inches below the top margin.

Check whether the title must use all capital letters, headline capitalization, or another specified format. If it spans multiple lines, use natural line breaks that keep related words together.

In Word, use paragraph alignment and spacing settings to position the title. Avoid pressing Enter repeatedly to create vertical space, because later edits can shift the layout.

Step 4: Include the Required Title Page Elements

A dissertation title page commonly includes some or all of the following:

Dissertation or thesis title
Author's name
Degree statement
Department, school, or academic program
University name
Submission month and year

Some institutions also require the degree candidate's previous qualifications, committee chair information, or other details. The wording and order of these elements may be prescribed.

Use the exact degree statement and institutional names required by your university. Keep the elements aligned and spaced consistently, and ensure the entire title page fits on one page.

Step 5: Check Line Spacing

Do not assume that the title page must be single spaced or double spaced. Follow your institution's sample or written instructions.

In Word, select the relevant paragraphs and open the Paragraph settings to adjust line spacing and the spacing before or after each paragraph. Use paragraph spacing to separate elements rather than inserting multiple blank lines.

After making adjustments, check that no text has moved onto a second page.

Step 6: Check Title Page Numbering

Many universities count the title page as part of the preliminary pages without displaying a page number on it. The exact numbering sequence and which preliminary pages display numbers depend on institutional requirements.

If the title page should not display a number, Word's Different First Page setting can hide the number on the first page of a section. Remember that this setting applies to that section's first page, so check your section breaks before changing it.

Confirm that the remaining preliminary pages and the first page of Chapter 1 follow the required numbering sequence.

Step 7: Compare Your Page Against the Approved Sample

If your graduate school provides a sample title page, compare your version with it. Check the title's position, capitalization, font, spacing, degree statement, institutional information, and date.

If no sample is available, consult the written guidelines or contact the graduate school for clarification. Do not rely solely on another student's dissertation, because their program or submission requirements may differ.

Common Dissertation or Thesis Title Page Mistakes

Before submission, check for these problems:

Using the wrong degree statement or institutional name
Applying the wrong title capitalization
Omitting required information
Using inconsistent spacing or alignment
Allowing text to spill onto a second page
Displaying a page number when the institution requires it to be hidden
Following a generic style manual example instead of the university's approved format

A final comparison against the official requirements can catch these problems before you submit your dissertation or thesis.

At The Two Dissertation Moms, our dissertation editing and formatting service includes reviewing title pages and other front matter against your institution's formatting requirements.

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