Florida State University Dissertation Format
The rules Florida 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 on all sides. No binding margin. |
|---|---|
| Font | Times New Roman or Arial only; black (including hyperlinks); 12 pt throughout including text within tables, except Main Section Headings which are 14 pt bold. Same font style and size throughout. |
| Spacing | Abstract, body, and biographical sketch (if paragraphs) all double-spaced OR all 1.5-spaced. Block quotes and footnotes single or same as body. Committee page entries 1.5-spaced. Captions single-spaced. Lists and references: single-spaced entries with one blank line between. Dedication single-spaced. White Space Rule: no more than one inch of continuous vertical white space (with listed exceptions). |
| Title Page Number | Counted as i, not numbered |
| Front Matter Page Numbers | Lowercase roman starting at ii on the committee page, bottom center, 0.75 inch from bottom edge |
| Body Page Numbers | Arabic starting at 1, bottom center, 0.75 inch from bottom edge |
| Chapter First Pages | Same as body (bottom center) |
| Citation Style | Citation style not specified by the Graduate School; its formatting requirements supersede any discipline-specific formatting. Single reference section at end of manuscript required. |
| Copyright Page | No separate copyright page; optional '© [Year] [Full Name]' line at bottom of title page. |
| Contents Heading | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| Chapter Headings | 'CHAPTER 1' (or 'CHAPTER ONE'; no Roman numerals) centered at top margin, single blank line, then CHAPTER TITLE; both ALL CAPS, bold, 14 pt. In TOC chapter heading and title appear on the same line in ALL CAPS. |
| Bibliography Heading | REFERENCES, BIBLIOGRAPHY, LITERATURE CITED, or WORKS CITED (ALL CAPS, 14 pt bold); one section at end of manuscript, immediately before Biographical Sketch, may be subdivided by chapter |
Title Page Wording
Lines from top to bottom, as the guide shows them. Words in brackets are yours to fill in. University and college names at top (single blank line between); gap; title (single blank line between title lines); gap; 'By'; single blank line; name; gap; 5 single-spaced statement lines formatted exactly as shown ('A Dissertation submitted to the' through degree); gap; year of defense; gap; optional copyright line. All centered.
Title capitalization: ALL CAPS (university, college, title, author name); statement lines as written.
Front Matter Order
- Title Page
- Committee Page
- Dedication (optional, no heading)
- Acknowledgments (optional)
- Table of Contents
- List of Tables (if more than one table)
- List of Figures (if more than one figure)
- Other lists (abbreviations, symbols, musical examples, etc.)
- Abstract
Rules Students Often Miss
- Committee page required (page ii): '[Name] defended this dissertation on [Month Day, Year].' / 'The members of the supervisory committee were:' / names with roles beneath ('Professor Directing Dissertation', then 'University Representative' immediately after chair, then 'Committee Member'), 1.5-spaced, aligned center-left / closing statement 'The Graduate School has verified and approved the above-named committee members, and certifies that the dissertation has been approved in accordance with university requirements.'
- Abstract comes last in front matter, after TOC and lists
- Main section headings 14 pt bold ALL CAPS; everything else 12 pt; only Times New Roman or Arial
- Dedication must be italic, single-spaced, no heading, centered on page
- White Space Rule: no more than one inch of continuous blank vertical space
- Appendices come BEFORE References; single comprehensive References section only
- Biographical Sketch required for all manuscripts (last section)
- Appendix content starts on same page as appendix heading; IRB/ACUC approval memos and consent form must be included in an appendix
What Style Guide Pro Does for You
- Builds the title page in Florida 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 Florida State University require?
1 inch on all sides. No binding margin.
Where do page numbers go in a Florida State University dissertation?
Front matter: Lowercase roman starting at ii on the committee page, bottom center, 0.75 inch from bottom edge. Main text: Arabic starting at 1, bottom center, 0.75 inch from bottom edge.
What citation style does Florida State University use?
Citation style not specified by the Graduate School; its formatting requirements supersede any discipline-specific formatting. Single reference section at end of manuscript required.
Can Style Guide Pro format my Florida State University dissertation?
Yes. Choose Florida 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
- Guidelines and Requirements for Electronic Theses, Treatises, and Dissertations (ETDs), Edition 2024 (Revised August 2024)
- Ph.D. Title and Committee Pages (annotated) (May 2016 (still the linked current version))
- Formatting Guidelines (landing page) (accessed 2026-10-29)
Summarized from Florida State University’s official guide, which The Graduate School, Manuscript Clearance Office publishes. Checked October 2026. Programs sometimes add their own rules, so confirm with your graduate school or program before you submit.