Indiana University Bloomington Dissertation Format
The rules Indiana University Bloomington 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. Top, right, bottom 1 inch. Left 1 inch acceptable for electronic-only access and for ProQuest binding; consult other binderies for left margin. Margins apply to figures, tables, and all preliminary material. |
|---|---|
| Font | 11 or 12 pt throughout; title on title page up to 16 pt; footnotes, table/chart content and captions down to 10 pt (smaller inside tables if legible). Black text. Consistent font; recommended Arial, Bookman Old Style, Calibri, Cambria, Lucida Bright, Times New Roman. |
| Spacing | Double-spaced. Long quotations single-spaced with wider margins. Abstract double-spaced. |
| Title Page Number | Counted as page i, no number shown. |
| Front Matter Page Numbers | Lowercase roman numerals starting with ii on the Acceptance Page; centered at top or bottom, midway between paper edge and text. |
| Body Page Numbers | Arabic starting at 1 on the first page of the introduction/first chapter, consecutive through bibliography and appendices; centered top or bottom. Vita/CV pages unnumbered. |
| Chapter First Pages | Same as body (centered top or bottom). |
| Citation Style | Use the style manual appropriate to the discipline (Chicago, Turabian, MLA, APA commonly used); check with research committee/department. Notes may be footnotes, chapter endnotes, or in the reference section per department conventions; at least one reference section required. |
| Copyright Page | Optional; separate page after the acceptance page; content centered horizontally and vertically: 'Copyright © [Year degree awarded]' / '[Student's Name]'. |
| Abstract | 350 words maximum. Starts with the student's name centered, then the dissertation title centered in ALL CAPS or underlined on the next line; body double-spaced, max 350 words. Abstract also approved/signed by the research committee for submission. |
Title Page Wording
Lines from top to bottom, as the guide shows them. Words in brackets are yours to fill in. All content centered horizontally and vertically. Sample: ~8 blank lines, title; ~11 blank lines; author's name; ~9 blank lines; degree statement block (single-spaced) ending with month and year.
Title capitalization: ALL CAPS.
Front Matter Order
- Title Page (required)
- Acceptance Page (required)
- Copyright Page (optional)
- Dedication (optional)
- Acknowledgments (optional)
- Preface (optional)
- Abstract (required)
- Table of Contents (required)
- Supplemental lists: tables, figures, appendices, abbreviations (optional)
- Body
- References/Bibliography
- Appendices
- Curriculum Vitae (required, last, unnumbered)
Rules Students Often Miss
- Required Acceptance Page (page ii): 'Accepted by the Graduate Faculty, Indiana University, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.' then left-justified 'Doctoral Committee', right-justified signature lines with typed names and post-nominal initials (Ph.D., etc.), then left-justified 'Date of defense – [Month Day, Year]'; included unsigned.
- Abstract page begins with the author's name and the title (ALL CAPS or underlined) before the text.
- Curriculum vitae required as the last item, unnumbered, listed in the TOC without a page number; no home address/phone.
- Title page has no 'by'.
- Page numbers may be centered at top or bottom.
- No running heads; IU seal/branding not allowed anywhere in the dissertation.
- Bound copies (if required for embargo) must be oversewn hardcover.
What Style Guide Pro Does for You
- Builds the title page in Indiana University Bloomington’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 Indiana University Bloomington require?
1 inch on all sides. Top, right, bottom 1 inch. Left 1 inch acceptable for electronic-only access and for ProQuest binding; consult other binderies for left margin. Margins apply to figures, tables, and all preliminary material.
Where do page numbers go in a Indiana University Bloomington dissertation?
Front matter: Lowercase roman numerals starting with ii on the Acceptance Page; centered at top or bottom, midway between paper edge and text.. Main text: Arabic starting at 1 on the first page of the introduction/first chapter, consecutive through bibliography and appendices; centered top or bottom. Vita/CV pages unnumbered.
What citation style does Indiana University Bloomington use?
Use the style manual appropriate to the discipline (Chicago, Turabian, MLA, APA commonly used); check with research committee/department. Notes may be footnotes, chapter endnotes, or in the reference section per department conventions; at least one reference section required.
Can Style Guide Pro format my Indiana University Bloomington dissertation?
Yes. Choose Indiana University Bloomington 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
- Doctoral Dissertation Guide: Formatting (accessed 2026-10-29 (page (c) 2026))
- Doctoral Dissertation Guide: Required & Optional Sections (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Sample PhD title page (DOCX) (undated)
- Sample acceptance page (DOCX) (undated)
- Sample copyright page / abstract page (DOCX) (undated)
Summarized from Indiana University Bloomington’s official guide, which University Graduate School (Indiana University Graduate School Bloomington) publishes. Checked October 2026. Programs sometimes add their own rules, so confirm with your graduate school or program before you submit.