Arizona State University Dissertation Format
The rules Arizona State University sets for thesis or dissertation, summarized from the official guide, plus a formatter that applies them to your Word file for you.
Try It Free on Your Paper →The Rules at a Glance
| Margins | 1 inch top, 1.25 inch right, 1 inch bottom, 1.25 inch left. 1.25 in. left AND right, 1 in. top and bottom, on every page including appendices. Page numbers sit directly on the 1-in. bottom margin (footer begins 1 in. from bottom edge). Avoid full justification. |
|---|---|
| Font | One TrueType font at a fixed size throughout (footnotes/endnotes may be smaller): Arial 10, Century 11, Garamond 12, Georgia 11*, Sans Serif 10, Tahoma 10, Times New Roman 12*, Verdana 10* (*recommended). Headings same font and size as text even if style guide says otherwise. Use one version of Times New Roman consistently. |
| Spacing | Double-spaced, except single-spaced allowed/required for block quotes, appendices, table/figure captions, table contents, footnotes, endnotes, reference entries, and the biographical sketch. Single-space each footnote and reference entry with a double space (blank line) between entries. |
| Title Page Number | not paginated (not counted; abstract is page i) |
| Front Matter Page Numbers | lowercase roman starting at i on the abstract, bottom center on the 1-in. bottom margin (copyright page, if present, does not change pagination) |
| Body Page Numbers | arabic starting at 1 on first page of main text (Chapter 1), bottom center, continuing through back matter and appendices |
| Chapter First Pages | same as body (bottom center); landscape pages keep portrait position |
| Citation Style | Any style guide (or journal style) appropriate to the discipline, applied consistently; references may also appear after each chapter but a comprehensive reference list is required at the end before appendices. |
| Copyright Page | Optional; if included the copyright fee must be paid. Second page after title page, on lower half, centered: '©[Year] [Your Full Name]' then 'All Rights Reserved'. Unnumbered; abstract remains page i. |
| Abstract | 350 words maximum. Heading 'ABSTRACT' all caps, not bold, centered; one double space then double-spaced text; write out acronyms at first use; no first-person plural (we/our/us); no citations; no bold/italics except species, titles, foreign words. |
| Contents Heading | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| Chapter Headings | Per style guide; must be same font and size as text. In TOC (chapter format) chapter titles are ALL CAPS under a 'CHAPTER' column header, with 'Page' header, repeated on subsequent TOC pages. |
| Bibliography Heading | Per style guide ('References', 'Bibliography', or 'Works Cited') |
Title Page Wording
Lines from top to bottom, as the guide shows them. Words in brackets are yours to fill in. 1 in. top margin. Title double-spaced; 'by' and name double-spaced; 5 single-spaced returns after name before 'A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment'; degree description block single-spaced; 10 single line spaces after degree before 'Approved [Month] [Year] by the' (committee block sits approximately half-way between degree and university); committee names single-spaced after a blank line; university and graduation date at bottom, double-spaced, ending at 1-in. bottom margin. All centered.
Title capitalization: Title Case for title; 'by' lowercase; university in ALL CAPS.
Front Matter Order
- Title Page
- Copyright Page (optional, fee)
- Abstract (page i)
- Dedication (optional)
- Acknowledgments (optional)
- Table of Contents
- List of Tables
- List of Figures
- Other Lists (nomenclature, glossary, etc.)
- Preface (optional, under 10 pages)
Rules Students Often Miss
- 1.25-in. left AND right margins (not a left binding margin)
- Restricted font list with font-specific required sizes (e.g. Arial 10, Georgia 11, TNR 12)
- Headings must not be larger/different font than body text
- Title page is unnumbered and not counted; abstract is page i
- Committee names and 'Approved [Month Year] by the Graduate Supervisory Committee:' on title page
- Reference list single-spaced within entries, blank line between
- Dedication + acknowledgments combined max 3 pages; preface under 10 pages
- TOC lists only preliminary pages that FOLLOW the TOC; 'CHAPTER' and 'Page' column headers repeat on each TOC page; appendices listed in caps under 'APPENDIX' without subheadings
What Style Guide Pro Does for You
- Builds the title page in Arizona State University’s wording, order, and spacing.
- Sets the margins and puts page numbers where the guide asks, with roman numerals in the front matter when required.
- Builds the contents page with dot leaders and the real page numbers filled in.
- Styles every heading level, block quotation, footnote, and bibliography entry.
- Gives you a short list of what only you can fix, like signature pages.
- Formatting software only. It never writes or rewrites a word of your paper.
Format Your Dissertation in About a Minute
Pick your school, drop in your Word file or PDF, and see your own title page done to these rules before you pay. Your paper never leaves your computer.
Common Questions
What margins does Arizona State University require?
1 inch top, 1.25 inch right, 1 inch bottom, 1.25 inch left. 1.25 in. left AND right, 1 in. top and bottom, on every page including appendices. Page numbers sit directly on the 1-in. bottom margin (footer begins 1 in. from bottom edge). Avoid full justification.
Where do page numbers go in a Arizona State University dissertation?
Front matter: lowercase roman starting at i on the abstract, bottom center on the 1-in. bottom margin (copyright page, if present, does not change pagination). Main text: arabic starting at 1 on first page of main text (Chapter 1), bottom center, continuing through back matter and appendices.
What citation style does Arizona State University use?
Any style guide (or journal style) appropriate to the discipline, applied consistently; references may also appear after each chapter but a comprehensive reference list is required at the end before appendices.
Can Style Guide Pro format my Arizona State University dissertation?
Yes. Choose Arizona State University when you upload your Word file or PDF. Style Guide Pro rebuilds it with the title page, margins, page numbers, contents, headings, footnotes, and bibliography laid out the way the guide asks, then lists anything only you can fix. You can preview your own title page free before you pay.
Sources
- ASU Graduate College Format Manual (web) (current (accessed 2026-10))
- ASU Graduate College Format Manual (PDF) (February 2022 (file modified 2023-11))
- Format Checklist for Students (2022-10)
Summarized from Arizona State University’s official guide, which Graduate College publishes. Checked October 2026. Programs sometimes add their own rules, so confirm with your graduate school or program before you submit.