Nova Southeastern University Dissertation Format
The rules Nova Southeastern 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 inch right, 1 inch bottom, 1.5 inch left. All pages: left 1.5, top/bottom/right 1.0. Bottom margin as close as possible to 1 in. but never smaller; turn off widow/orphan control so text runs to the bottom margin (except a stand-alone Level 2 heading may not sit on the last line). Appendix margins may be larger, not smaller. Flush-left, ragged-right text. Each chapter starts on a new page. |
|---|---|
| Font | Times New Roman 11 or 12 pt only. Sans serif (e.g. Arial) in figures except caption. Tables/figures may use 10-11 pt if needed; table notes and figure captions 10 pt. Page numbers same typeface and size as text. No underlining, colors, superscript ordinals, or bold except headings and certain statistics. |
| Spacing | Double-space everything: text, block quotations, between paragraphs, headings, tables/figures and text, reference list. Single spacing required in parts of preliminary pages (e.g. abstract paragraphs) and permitted in multi-line table titles, notes, figure captions and text headings if consistent. |
| Title Page Number | counted as i, number not shown |
| Front Matter Page Numbers | lowercase roman, centered, two line spaces below the 1-in. bottom margin line (i.e., in the bottom margin) |
| Body Page Numbers | arabic starting at 1 on first page of Chapter 1 through appendices, at the right margin two line spaces above the 1-in. top margin line (top right) |
| Chapter First Pages | same as body (top right) |
| Citation Style | APA Publication Manual, 7th edition required; aspects not covered in the guide follow APA 7. Adherence to APA is the responsibility of the student and committee. |
| Copyright Page | Not part of required preliminary pages (not listed in order). |
| Abstract | 270 words maximum. Heading 'Abstract'. First paragraph is informational: '[Title]. [Full Name], [Year]: Applied Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. Keywords: [4-5 lowercase keywords]'. Narrative portion 220-270 words. Single-spaced within paragraphs, double-spaced between, no first-line indents. |
| Contents Heading | Table of Contents |
| Chapter Headings | APA Level 1, centered, bold, single line: 'Chapter 1: Introduction' (format 'Chapter N: Title'); chapter starts on new page |
| Bibliography Heading | References |
Title Page Wording
Lines from top to bottom, as the guide shows them. Words in brackets are yours to fill in. Title line 1 in. from top of page; year line 1 in. from bottom. Byline section (by / name) and fulfillment section placed so white space is evenly distributed between title, byline, fulfillment statement and university/year block. All lines centered.
Title capitalization: Title Case (headline-style, e.g. 'Xxxx xx Xxxxxx'), double-spaced within sections in sample.
Front Matter Order
- Title Page (i, not shown)
- Approval Page (ii)
- Statement of Original Work (iii)
- Acknowledgments (optional)
- Abstract
- Table of Contents (includes lists of appendices, tables, figures at end)
Rules Students Often Miss
- Approval Page and Statement of Original Work are required preliminary pages; Statement of Original Work re-dated each submission, no signature
- Abstract is single-spaced within paragraphs with an informational first paragraph (title, name, year, 'Applied Dissertation', college, keywords)
- TOC lists appendices, then tables, then figures within the Table of Contents itself (no separate List of Tables/Figures pages); preliminary pages not listed in TOC; 'Page' header over number column
- Front-matter numbers sit below the bottom margin line; body numbers sit above the top margin line at right
- Widow/orphan control must be off so every page fills to the 1-in. bottom margin
- Single appendix/table/figure is unnumbered ('Appendix', 'Table', 'Figure'); each appendix has its own cover page, no overall Appendices cover
- No running heads
- DOIs/URLs as black, non-underlined hyperlinks
What Style Guide Pro Does for You
- Builds the title page in Nova Southeastern 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 Nova Southeastern University require?
1 inch top, 1 inch right, 1 inch bottom, 1.5 inch left. All pages: left 1.5, top/bottom/right 1.0. Bottom margin as close as possible to 1 in. but never smaller; turn off widow/orphan control so text runs to the bottom margin (except a stand-alone Level 2 heading may not sit on the last line). Appendix margins may be larger, not smaller. Flush-left, ragged-right text. Each chapter starts on a new page.
Where do page numbers go in a Nova Southeastern University dissertation?
Front matter: lowercase roman, centered, two line spaces below the 1-in. bottom margin line (i.e., in the bottom margin). Main text: arabic starting at 1 on first page of Chapter 1 through appendices, at the right margin two line spaces above the 1-in. top margin line (top right).
What citation style does Nova Southeastern University use?
APA Publication Manual, 7th edition required; aspects not covered in the guide follow APA 7. Adherence to APA is the responsibility of the student and committee.
Can Style Guide Pro format my Nova Southeastern University dissertation?
Yes. Choose Nova Southeastern 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
- Format Guide for the Applied Dissertation (APA 7th ed.) (May 2020 (still the guide linked from the Format Review page, accessed 2026-10))
- The Format Review (current (accessed 2026-10))
Summarized from Nova Southeastern University’s official guide. Checked October 2026. Programs sometimes add their own rules, so confirm with your graduate school or program before you submit.