Texas Tech University Dissertation Format
The rules Texas Tech 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. Left margin 1.5 in OR 1 in (consistent throughout); top, right, bottom 1 in. No mirror margins. Running header may sit 0.5 in from top (within top margin); page numbers 0.5 in from bottom (within bottom margin). Official Word templates use 1.5 in left. |
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| Font | Same font size and style throughout; at least 12 pt for serif fonts (Times New Roman, Cambria) or 10 pt for sans serif (Arial, Calibri); standard black. Table text no smaller than 8 pt if possible. Page numbers same font/size as text. |
| Spacing | Double or 1.5 spacing consistently. Single-space: subheadings of two or more lines, table/figure titles of two or more lines, within each reference or note (regular spacing between references). Do not use full justification unless software avoids gaps. |
| Title Page Number | no page number (not counted) |
| Front Matter Page Numbers | lowercase roman starting with ii on the first page after the copyright page (Acknowledgments or TOC), bottom center 0.5 in from bottom; copyright page unnumbered |
| Body Page Numbers | arabic starting at 1 on first page of Chapter 1 (Chapter I), bottom center 0.5 in from bottom; no dashes |
| Chapter First Pages | same as body (bottom center) |
| Citation Style | Must follow an approved style guide designated by department/advisor (e.g., MLA, Chicago, APA, CBE, IEEE, a journal style). If none specified, Turabian's A Manual for Writers is the default. Graduate School manual supersedes the style guide where they differ. One uniform style throughout. |
| Copyright Page | Required for all theses and dissertations. Text centered both ways on an otherwise blank page, no page number: 'Copyright' or '©', year of graduating semester, your name. Template: 'Copyright [Year], [FirstName LastName]'. Co-owners listed after author. |
| Contents Heading | Table of Contents |
| Chapter Headings | Each chapter on a new page with 'Chapter' and number on the line above the chapter title (template: 'Chapter I' then title as Heading 1, centered bold caps; Roman numerals in template). |
| Bibliography Heading | Bibliography (or Literature Cited, References, etc. per style guide) |
Title Page Wording
Lines from top to bottom, as the guide shows them. Words in brackets are yours to fill in. All centered (template). Title; 2 blank lines; 'by'; blank; name; blank; 'A Dissertation'; blank; 'In'; blank; major; blank; 5-line submission statement; blank; DEGREE; blank; 'Approved'; blank; chair + 'Chair of the Committee'; blank; each member separated by a blank; 2 blank lines; Dean name + 'Dean of the Graduate School'; 2 blank lines; month, year.
Title capitalization: as written (template: use consistent capitalization, first word only or all words; max 238 characters including spaces).
Front Matter Order
- Title Page
- Copyright Page (required)
- Acknowledgments (optional, max 2 pages)
- Table of Contents
- Abstract (optional but recommended)
- List of Tables (if more than two tables)
- List of Figures (if more than two figures)
- List of Abbreviations/Symbols/Nomenclature (optional, last in front matter)
- Preface (optional, rare, immediately before Chapter I)
- Chapters
- Notes/Endnotes (if used, before References)
- Bibliography/References
- Appendices
- Glossary (as an appendix)
Rules Students Often Miss
- Required running header from Acknowledgments page to end: 'Texas Tech University, [Student Name], [Month Year of Graduation]', right-aligned, one point smaller than text.
- Copyright page required and unnumbered; first numbered front-matter page is ii.
- Abstract comes AFTER the Table of Contents and is optional.
- Title page lists current Graduate School dean and committee with degree initials; author's prior degree initials after name.
- List of Tables/Figures required only if more than two tables/figures.
- Title limited to 238 characters.
- Turabian is the default style if none designated.
- WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility check required beginning Spring 2026 (alt text, tagged structure, contrast).
What Style Guide Pro Does for You
- Builds the title page in Texas Tech 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 Tech University require?
1 inch on all sides. Left margin 1.5 in OR 1 in (consistent throughout); top, right, bottom 1 in. No mirror margins. Running header may sit 0.5 in from top (within top margin); page numbers 0.5 in from bottom (within bottom margin). Official Word templates use 1.5 in left.
Where do page numbers go in a Texas Tech University dissertation?
Front matter: lowercase roman starting with ii on the first page after the copyright page (Acknowledgments or TOC), bottom center 0.5 in from bottom; copyright page unnumbered. Main text: arabic starting at 1 on first page of Chapter 1 (Chapter I), bottom center 0.5 in from bottom; no dashes.
What citation style does Texas Tech University use?
Must follow an approved style guide designated by department/advisor (e.g., MLA, Chicago, APA, CBE, IEEE, a journal style). If none specified, Turabian's A Manual for Writers is the default. Graduate School manual supersedes the style guide where they differ. One uniform style throughout.
Can Style Guide Pro format my Texas Tech University dissertation?
Yes. Choose Texas Tech 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
- Thesis-Dissertation Formatting Guidelines (TTU Graduate School Formatting Manual) (Revised February 2026)
- Template: Front Matter (.docx) (2023-2024)
- Template: Main Text (.docx) (2023-2024)
- Thesis & Dissertation Forms page (updated 2026-02-19)
Summarized from Texas Tech University’s official guide, which The Graduate School (Thesis-Dissertation office) publishes. Checked October 2026. Programs sometimes add their own rules, so confirm with your graduate school or program before you submit.