University of Georgia Dissertation Format
The rules University of Georgia 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 may be 1.5 inch for binding; right must be 1 inch. Top margin 1.75 inches on the first page of every front-matter section (except copyright page) and every main-body section (chapter openings, references, appendices); 1 inch on subsequent pages. Header/footer 0.5 inch. Nothing but page numbers below 1-inch bottom margin. |
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| Font | Same typeface and size throughout, including captions and page numbers; body 11 or 12 pt; nothing larger than 12 pt anywhere (including headings). Smaller size allowed in footnotes and table bodies (same typeface); figures, reproduced appendix documents, and content requiring another font (e.g., code) excepted. Standard fonts, embedded in PDF. |
| Spacing | Body and abstract double-spaced. Optional single spacing for footnotes, block quotations, tables/figures and captions, and bibliography entries (double-space between entries if single). No extra space between paragraphs; paragraphs indented. |
| Title Page Number | Assigned i, not typed (abstract precedes it and is neither counted nor numbered; copyright ii and approval iii also not typed) |
| Front Matter Page Numbers | Lowercase roman, first typed number iv (dedication or first page after approval page); either bottom center or top right, consistent throughout |
| Body Page Numbers | Arabic starting at 1, same position as front matter (bottom center or top right) |
| Chapter First Pages | Same position; number may be suppressed (assigned but not typed) on first pages of sections and chapters at author's option |
| Citation Style | Department's choice of style manual; bibliography entries formatted per that manual. |
| Copyright Page | Required; counted as ii, not numbered; no 1.75-inch top margin; text centered on lower half of page: '© [Year]' / '[Full Name]' / 'All Rights Reserved'. |
| Abstract | 350 words maximum. Thesis limit 150 words. Header: [TITLE IN ALL CAPS] / by / [NAME IN ALL CAPS] / (Under the Direction of [Major Professor's Name]) / ABSTRACT; text double-spaced; then 'INDEX WORDS:' with indented index terms (first word of each capitalized), not counted in word limit. |
| Contents Heading | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| Chapter Headings | Per sample: 'CHAPTER 1' centered at 1.75-inch top margin, then chapter title in ALL CAPS centered on next double-spaced line; same font size as text. Graduate School sets no rule beyond 11-12 pt and consistency. |
| Bibliography Heading | Bibliography, References, or Works Cited (sample TOC uses REFERENCES); formatted like other chapter/section titles; placed BEFORE appendices |
Title Page Wording
Lines from top to bottom, as the guide shows them. Words in brackets are yours to fill in. Title at 1.75-inch top margin (double-spaced); gap; 'by'; gap; name followed by prior degrees one per line (double-spaced); gap; 2-line submission statement (double-spaced); gap; DEGREE; gap; 'ATHENS, GEORGIA' and year at bottom. All centered.
Title capitalization: ALL CAPS (title, author name, degree, ATHENS, GEORGIA).
Front Matter Order
- Abstract (not counted or numbered)
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Approval Page
- Dedication (optional)
- Acknowledgements and/or Preface (optional)
- Table of Contents
- List of Tables (optional)
- List of Figures (optional)
- Generative AI Use Disclosure (optional)
Rules Students Often Miss
- Abstract is the first page of the document, before the title page, and is neither counted nor numbered
- Abstract ends with 'INDEX WORDS:' list
- Title page lists the author's prior degrees under the name
- Title page ends with 'ATHENS, GEORGIA' and year
- Approval page required (iii, not typed): title, by, NAME, 'Major Professor: [Name]', 'Committee: [Names]', then 'Electronic Version Approved:' / [Dean's name] / 'Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate School' / 'The University of Georgia' / [Month Year]
- 1.75-inch top margin on first page of every section
- No font larger than 12 pt anywhere, including headings
- Page numbers may be top right or bottom center; may be suppressed on chapter first pages
What Style Guide Pro Does for You
- Builds the title page in University of Georgia’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 Georgia require?
1 inch on all sides. Left may be 1.5 inch for binding; right must be 1 inch. Top margin 1.75 inches on the first page of every front-matter section (except copyright page) and every main-body section (chapter openings, references, appendices); 1 inch on subsequent pages. Header/footer 0.5 inch. Nothing but page numbers below 1-inch bottom margin.
Where do page numbers go in a University of Georgia dissertation?
Front matter: Lowercase roman, first typed number iv (dedication or first page after approval page); either bottom center or top right, consistent throughout. Main text: Arabic starting at 1, same position as front matter (bottom center or top right).
What citation style does University of Georgia use?
Department's choice of style manual; bibliography entries formatted per that manual.
Can Style Guide Pro format my University of Georgia dissertation?
Yes. Choose University of Georgia 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
- Theses and Dissertations: Student Guide to Preparation and Processing (Style Guide 2025) (Revised August 2025)
Summarized from University of Georgia’s official guide, which Graduate School (Graduate Enrolled Student Services / Graduation Office) publishes. Checked October 2026. Programs sometimes add their own rules, so confirm with your graduate school or program before you submit.