Michigan State University Dissertation Format
The rules Michigan 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. Only page numbers may be in the margins. Sample title page: title begins 2 inches from the top. Headings 'centered at the top margin'. |
|---|---|
| Font | One consistent font; suggested Times New Roman, Calibri, Arial, Garamond, Cambria. Text, captions, preliminary pages, reference/appendix pages and page numbers 10-12 pt, consistent. Body headings may be up to 24 pt, consistent. No script, small caps, or ornamental fonts. Text and headings black (tables, figures, code, URLs may be colored). |
| Spacing | Abstract, acknowledgements, preface, and body 1.5 or double, consistent. Single spacing allowed for titles, headings, footnotes, endnotes, long quotations, lists, captions, appendix material. TOC and lists single-spaced within entries, body spacing between entries. Dedication single-spaced. |
| Title Page Number | Counted (i) but not numbered. |
| Front Matter Page Numbers | Title page, abstract, and copyright page are counted but not numbered; visible lowercase roman numerals begin on the Dedication (or next page if none), e.g. iii/iv; placed in the footer 1/2 to 1 inch from the bottom (samples show centered). Public abstract neither counted nor numbered. |
| Body Page Numbers | Arabic beginning at 1 on the Introduction or Chapter 1, continuing through bibliography and appendices; footer, 1/2 to 1 inch from bottom (bottom center in samples); same font/size as text. |
| Chapter First Pages | Same as body. |
| Citation Style | Any consistent citation style (discipline standard); footnotes follow the discipline's standards. Bibliography at end of each chapter or end of document, applied consistently. |
| Copyright Page | Optional (required only if registering copyright via ProQuest). Placed immediately AFTER the abstract; counted but not numbered; left-aligned, anywhere on the page, three lines: 'Copyright by' / '[FULL NAME IN CAPS]' / '[Year]'. |
| Contents Heading | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| Chapter Headings | Chapters or chapter equivalents (e.g. INTRODUCTION, MATERIALS AND METHODS); sample TOC shows 'CHAPTER 1: CHAPTER TITLE' in all caps; each starts on a new page; format consistent across chapters. |
| Bibliography Heading | BIBLIOGRAPHY (or LITERATURE CITED, WORKS CITED, REFERENCES per discipline), all caps, centered, matching preliminary heading bold/size. |
Title Page Wording
Lines from top to bottom, as the guide shows them. Words in brackets are yours to fill in. Title in all caps, single-spaced, centered, 2 inches from top; gap; 'By'; name; large gap; 'A DISSERTATION'; gap; 4-line single-spaced block 'Submitted to / Michigan State University / in partial fulfillment of the requirements / for the degree of'; blank line; program, degree line; gap; year near bottom. Sample marks 10 line positions down the page.
Title capitalization: ALL CAPS title.
Front Matter Order
- Title Page
- Public Abstract (optional, not counted)
- Abstract (required)
- Copyright Page (optional)
- Dedication (optional)
- Acknowledgements (optional)
- Preface (optional, max 2 pages)
- Table of Contents (required)
- List of Tables/Figures/Algorithms/Schemes (optional, discouraged)
- List of Symbols (optional)
- List of Abbreviations (optional)
- Body (Introduction / Chapters)
- Bibliography
- Appendices (optional)
Rules Students Often Miss
- Abstract comes immediately after the title page, and the optional copyright page comes AFTER the abstract.
- Title, abstract and copyright pages are counted but unnumbered; first visible roman numeral is on the Dedication.
- Margins may be anywhere from 1 to 1.5 inches but must be equal on all sides.
- Lists of tables/figures are optional and discouraged.
- Copyright notice is left-aligned with the name in ALL CAPS.
- Program and degree joined with an em dash on the title page ('Mechanical Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy').
- Appendices always follow the bibliography (whether per chapter or at the end); single appendix titled just 'APPENDIX'.
- No tables or figures in preliminary pages; no blank pages anywhere.
What Style Guide Pro Does for You
- Builds the title page in Michigan 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 Michigan State University require?
1 inch on all sides. Only page numbers may be in the margins. Sample title page: title begins 2 inches from the top. Headings 'centered at the top margin'.
Where do page numbers go in a Michigan State University dissertation?
Front matter: Title page, abstract, and copyright page are counted but not numbered; visible lowercase roman numerals begin on the Dedication (or next page if none), e.g. iii/iv; placed in the footer 1/2 to 1 inch from the bottom (samples show centered). Public abstract neither counted nor numbered.. Main text: Arabic beginning at 1 on the Introduction or Chapter 1, continuing through bibliography and appendices; footer, 1/2 to 1 inch from bottom (bottom center in samples); same font/size as text.
What citation style does Michigan State University use?
Any consistent citation style (discipline standard); footnotes follow the discipline's standards. Bibliography at end of each chapter or end of document, applied consistently.
Can Style Guide Pro format my Michigan State University dissertation?
Yes. Choose Michigan 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
- ETD Formatting Guide (web page) (accessed 2026-10-29 (current))
- Sample Pages with Table of Contents (PDF) (2023-01 (PDF metadata))
- Dissertation Title Page Template (DOCX) (July 2022 (not parsed))
Summarized from Michigan State University’s official guide, which The Graduate School (ETD approval office) publishes. Checked October 2026. Programs sometimes add their own rules, so confirm with your graduate school or program before you submit.