Texas A&M University Dissertation Format
The rules Texas A&M 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. Apply consistently. |
|---|---|
| Font | One typeface throughout, 12 pt. Accessible fonts strongly encouraged; Word template presets Arial (LaTeX template: EB Garamond). Table cells may go as small as 7 pt. Title page font and size must match the text. |
| Spacing | Text double-spaced. Exceptions preset in templates: Title Page, Table of Contents, List of Figures, List of Tables. Table captions and figure legends single-spaced. Block quotes and in-text lists may follow the discipline style. Reference entries may be single-spaced with a blank line between entries. Footnotes single-spaced. |
| Title Page Number | No page number shown (only unnumbered page); counted as i (Abstract begins on page ii) |
| Front Matter Page Numbers | Lowercase roman numerals starting at ii on the Abstract; bottom center (per template example) |
| Body Page Numbers | Arabic numerals starting at 1 with the first chapter, consecutive through references and appendices; bottom center (per template example) |
| Chapter First Pages | Same as body |
| Citation Style | Student, with committee, follows a single recognized style appropriate to the discipline (APA, AMA, Chicago, MLA, or journal style) for elements not governed by TDS; TDS rules override the external guide for structure. College exceptions: Education and Human Development by department (EAHR/EPSY APA; TLAC APA, MLA, or Chicago; KNSM APA, APS, or AMA); Mays Business School follows the style of a single scholarly journal in the field (Accounting consults department); Nursing APA. |
| Copyright Page | No separate copyright page; the copyright notice 'Copyright [Year] [Name]' is a required line at the bottom of the title page. A Creative Commons license may be placed in the same location. |
| Abstract | 350 words maximum. Max two pages; no keywords, subheadings, or citations; avoid images, complex equations, Greek letters. Must be in English (Hispanic Studies may add a Spanish resumen). |
| Contents Heading | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| Chapter Headings | Heading 1 style with automatic decimal numbering and title in ALL CAPS on one line, e.g. '1. INTRODUCTION', centered; each chapter starts on a new page. No word 'CHAPTER'. |
| Bibliography Heading | REFERENCES as a main heading after the last chapter, or 'References' as a level-1 subheading at the end of each chapter (article-based format) |
Title Page Wording
Lines from top to bottom, as the guide shows them. Words in brackets are yours to fill in. Title at top; gap; 'A Dissertation' / 'by' / NAME (blank lines between); gap; 3-line submission statement; gap; DEGREE; gap; committee block (left-aligned label column with names in a tab column, no blank lines between Chair of Committee and Head of Department); gap; graduation month and year; gap; Major Subject line; gap; copyright line at bottom. All lines centered except the committee block.
Title capitalization: ALL CAPS (title, author name, and degree).
Front Matter Order
- Title Page
- Abstract
- Dedication (optional)
- Acknowledgments (optional)
- Contributors and Funding Sources
- Nomenclature (optional)
- Table of Contents
- List of Figures (if figures in chapters)
- List of Tables (if tables in chapters)
Rules Students Often Miss
- Copyright notice, committee list, department head, graduation month/year, and major subject all go on the title page
- Required 'CONTRIBUTORS AND FUNDING SOURCES' front-matter section with 'Contributors' and 'Funding Sources' subheadings; must state if no outside funding was received
- List of Figures precedes List of Tables
- Chapters use decimal numbering ('1. TITLE', '1.1. Subheading') instead of 'CHAPTER 1'
- Reference entries may be single-spaced but must have a blank line between entries
- Preliminary pages in TOC: Abstract listed first; TOC lists itself
- Acknowledgments limited to four pages, Dedication to one page
- Copyright permission for previously published chapters is acknowledged by a superscript footnote at the end of the chapter title
What Style Guide Pro Does for You
- Builds the title page in Texas A&M 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 Texas A&M University require?
1 inch on all sides. Apply consistently.
Where do page numbers go in a Texas A&M University dissertation?
Front matter: Lowercase roman numerals starting at ii on the Abstract; bottom center (per template example). Main text: Arabic numerals starting at 1 with the first chapter, consecutive through references and appendices; bottom center (per template example).
What citation style does Texas A&M University use?
Student, with committee, follows a single recognized style appropriate to the discipline (APA, AMA, Chicago, MLA, or journal style) for elements not governed by TDS; TDS rules override the external guide for structure. College exceptions: Education and Human Development by department (EAHR/EPSY APA; TLAC APA, MLA, or Chicago; KNSM APA, APS, or AMA); Mays Business School follows the style of a single scholarly journal in the field (Accounting consults department); Nursing APA.
Can Style Guide Pro format my Texas A&M University dissertation?
Yes. Choose Texas A&M 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 for Theses, Dissertations, and Records of Study (Updated 6/3/2026)
- Word Manuscript Template: Clean Version (2026-05-27 (version 20260527))
- Example Manuscript PDF (generated from Word template, with instructions) (2026-05-27)
- Writing Your Document (TDS landing page) (accessed 2026-10-29)
Summarized from Texas A&M University’s official guide, which Graduate and Professional School, Thesis and Dissertation Services (TDS) publishes. Checked October 2026. Programs sometimes add their own rules, so confirm with your graduate school or program before you submit.