University of Chicago Dissertation Format
The rules University of Chicago 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. Page numbers and footnotes at least 0.5 in from page edge. |
|---|---|
| Font | 12 pt (or 10 characters per inch); smaller acceptable for footnotes, super/subscripts, table/figure/caption text. No script, italic, or ornamental fonts (italics fine for titles and non-English words). Black text, no highlighting; hyperlinks may be blue. Some departments specify a font. |
| Spacing | Body double-spaced with 0 pt before/after paragraphs. Single-spaced: footnotes, table items, lists, graphs, often block quotations; TOC and bibliography entries single-spaced with a blank line between entries. |
| Title Page Number | Counted as i, number not shown |
| Front Matter Page Numbers | Lowercase roman; copyright, abstract, dedication, epigraph pages counted but not numbered; bottom center recommended |
| Body Page Numbers | Arabic starting at 1 on first text page, consecutive through end matter; bottom center recommended |
| Chapter First Pages | Same as body (part-opening pages counted but not numbered) |
| Citation Style | Choose a style appropriate to your field and use it consistently; The Chicago Manual of Style is recommended. |
| Copyright Page | Allowed (placed after title page; counted, not numbered). Include either the word 'copyright' or the © symbol (not both), the degree year, and author name. Do not use 'all rights reserved' with a Creative Commons license. |
Title Page Wording
Lines from top to bottom, as the guide shows them. Words in brackets are yours to fill in. Follow the department-specific Word model from the Dissertation Office; same font, double spacing, 0 pt paragraph spacing, 1 in margins as body.
Title capitalization: ALL CAPS (all text uppercase, not bold).
Front Matter Order
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Abstract
- Dedication
- Epigraph
- Table of Contents
- List of Figures
- List of Tables
- Other Lists (illustrations, maps, etc.)
- Acknowledgments
Rules Students Often Miss
- Abstract, dedication, epigraph, and part-opening pages are counted but not numbered
- Acknowledgments come AFTER the table of contents and lists
- Title page entirely uppercase, same double spacing as body; must follow department-specific Word model
- Copyright line uses either 'copyright' or ©, not both
- Appendix naming: 'Appendix: Title' if one; numbered/lettered if several
- Table/figure notes restart per table and go at bottom of table, not page; sources go in caption, not footnotes
- Supplementary files listed in TOC and described in abstract
What Style Guide Pro Does for You
- Builds the title page in University of Chicago’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 University of Chicago require?
1 inch on all sides. Page numbers and footnotes at least 0.5 in from page edge.
Where do page numbers go in a University of Chicago dissertation?
Front matter: Lowercase roman; copyright, abstract, dedication, epigraph pages counted but not numbered; bottom center recommended. Main text: Arabic starting at 1 on first text page, consecutive through end matter; bottom center recommended.
What citation style does University of Chicago use?
Choose a style appropriate to your field and use it consistently; The Chicago Manual of Style is recommended.
Can Style Guide Pro format my University of Chicago dissertation?
Yes. Choose University of Chicago 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
- Dissertation Requirements: Format (undated web page, accessed 2026-10)
- Sample Title Pages (division/department Word templates) (undated; degree dates listed through June 2027)
Summarized from University of Chicago’s official guide. Checked October 2026. Programs sometimes add their own rules, so confirm with your graduate school or program before you submit.