1. Guidelines for Writing Your Thesis
Written thesis - Congratulations! You have completed your research and our now ready to
write your thesis. We strongly urge that you maintain close contact with your research mentor
as you write your thesis and thesis committee. These individuals are the best source of
information and guidance, since they are ultimately responsible for the evaluation of your
work.
Below are some guidelines for you to follow while writing your thesis:
Title Page - Use your full legal name. The title for your work should be a meaningful
description of your manuscript. If you are copyrighting your dissertation, the date on your
title page should be the date of defense. If you have decided to copyright your manuscript, the
copyright page follows the title page. In the center of the page, just above the bottom margin,
type the following:
Copyright by
(your name in full)
(the current year)
Type the Roman numeral two (ii) centered at the bottom of the page.
Dedication and/or Acknowledgement Pages - These pages are optional. If included, they
must be numbered with Roman numerals, and double-spaced.
Table of Contents - A table of contents is required and may follow any format acceptable to
your advisor and committee. Be sure to include all main divisions and subdivisions within
your text, and to double space. These pages are to be numbered with Roman numerals.
Lists: Tables, Figures, Illustrations, Charts, Graphs - Follow the format used for your
Table of Contents. Use a separate page for each type of list. Number with the appropriate
Roman numeral. Make sure to double space.
Abstract - An abstract of your thesis is required. It is to be a succinct narrative description of
your work, double spaced. It should be numbered with the appropriate Roman numeral.
Introduction - The Introduction should review the literature that formed the basis for your
work. It should also include a statement of the problem, hypotheses and specific aims. The
text must be double-spaced and each page must be numbered beginning with the number 1.
The text must be printed on only one side of each page. Cite references by author and date.
Materials and Methods - Describe the methodologies you used to perform your work.
Results - Describe the results of your study.
Discussion - Interpret the results of your studies. Relate your results to previous published
Work.

2. References - Place references in alphabetical order at the end of the thesis. These may be
single spaced. These pages should be numbered, and double-spaced.
Tables, figures, etc. should be placed in order after the reference section.
Vita - A brief vita is optional and may be included only in doctoral dissertations. These pages
should also be numbered.
We wish you well in your research and writing. If you have any questions, be sure to ask
them before you submit your thesis.