University of Iowa Dissertation Format
The rules University of Iowa 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. No special first-page top margins. |
|---|---|
| Font | Readable size 10-12 pt with appropriate color contrast; guide says requirements call for 12 pt thesis text. Template: Times New Roman 12 pt. Limit italics, bold, and all caps in long text. |
| Spacing | 1.5 or double, consistent throughout (template: double). Left-aligned text; justified text not allowed. Extra space via paragraph/style settings, not manual blank lines. |
| Title Page Number | Not numbered (counted as 1). |
| Front Matter Page Numbers | No roman numerals: arabic numbering begins with 2 on the first page after the title page (or after the optional copyright page; template TOC example shows copyright page counted as 2 and Dedication as 3). Upper right, lower right, or bottom center, consistent (template: bottom center). |
| Body Page Numbers | Arabic, continuing the same sequence (does not restart at 1); upper right, lower right, or bottom center, consistent. |
| Chapter First Pages | Same as body. |
| Citation Style | No required style; references (required) may be at the end of each chapter or the end of the manuscript, presented consistently whatever the style guide. Template notes APA users map APA heading levels under Heading 1. |
| Copyright Page | Optional; follows the title page; left-aligned lines: 'Copyright by' / '[Your Name]' / '[Graduation Year]' / 'All Rights Reserved'. Copyright year = graduation year. |
| Contents Heading | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| Chapter Headings | Heading 1: 'CHAPTER [#]: [TITLE]' on one line, centered, all caps, not bold (template). Chapters must be numbered and have descriptive titles. |
| Bibliography Heading | REFERENCES (or BIBLIOGRAPHY) as Heading 1, all caps, centered. |
Title Page Wording
Lines from top to bottom, as the guide shows them. Words in brackets are yours to fill in. Title (14 pt, centered) at top; 'by' and name centered; degree statement block centered (6 lines incl. month/year); committee block left-aligned at bottom. Exact spacing set by template.
Title capitalization: ALL CAPS or Title Case (either).
Front Matter Order
- Title Page (required)
- Copyright Page (optional)
- Dedication (optional)
- Acknowledgments (optional)
- Abstract (required except DMA/MFA)
- Public Abstract (required)
- Table of Contents (required)
- List of Tables (required if more than one table)
- List of Figures (required if more than one figure)
- Other lists: abbreviations, images, schemes (optional)
- Chapters
- References
- Appendix/Appendices (optional)
Rules Students Often Miss
- Required Public Abstract (plain-language, ~250 words) in addition to the scholarly abstract.
- No roman numerals: arabic numbering starts at 2 on the page after the title page and runs continuously.
- Page numbers may be upper right, lower right, or bottom center.
- Justified text is not allowed (left-align).
- TOC lists the preliminary pages, including TABLE OF CONTENTS itself.
- Major headings are all caps but NOT bold.
- Title page lists the committee and marks only the 'Thesis Supervisor'; no academic titles or degrees.
- Doctoral dissertations are called 'thesis' on the title page ('A thesis submitted...', 'Thesis Committee:').
What Style Guide Pro Does for You
- Builds the title page in University of Iowa’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 Iowa require?
1 inch on all sides. No special first-page top margins.
Where do page numbers go in a University of Iowa dissertation?
Front matter: No roman numerals: arabic numbering begins with 2 on the first page after the title page (or after the optional copyright page; template TOC example shows copyright page counted as 2 and Dedication as 3). Upper right, lower right, or bottom center, consistent (template: bottom center).. Main text: Arabic, continuing the same sequence (does not restart at 1); upper right, lower right, or bottom center, consistent.
What citation style does University of Iowa use?
No required style; references (required) may be at the end of each chapter or the end of the manuscript, presented consistently whatever the style guide. Template notes APA users map APA heading levels under Heading 1.
Can Style Guide Pro format my University of Iowa dissertation?
Yes. Choose University of Iowa 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
- Readability Standards for Thesis and Dissertation (fall 2026 transition (accessed 2026-10-29))
- Thesis and Dissertation at Iowa (overview PDF) (2026-08-14)
- Thesis Template, PC, Readability Standards (DOCX) (2026-08)
Summarized from University of Iowa’s official guide, which Graduate College publishes. Checked October 2026. Programs sometimes add their own rules, so confirm with your graduate school or program before you submit.