University of Maryland, College Park Dissertation Format
The rules University of Maryland, College Park 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 at least 3/4 inch from edge. Chapter title may be placed no more than 3 inches from top. Note: the official Word template sets left 1.5 in / right 1.25 in on the abstract, title and copyright sections, and 1 in all around from the front matter on. |
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| Font | Embedded fonts required. Any legible font except script, italic, or ornamental, equivalent in scale to 10pt Arial or 12pt Times New Roman. Recommended: Arial 10, Courier New 10, Georgia 11, Times New Roman 12, Trebuchet MS 10, Verdana 10; also permitted Century 11, Garamond 12, Lucida Bright 10, Microsoft Sans Serif 10, Tahoma 10. Italic allowed for non-English words and quotations. Captions/footnotes may be 2 points smaller than text but no smaller than 10 pt. Chapter title may be 2-3 points larger than base font. |
| Spacing | Double-space abstract, dedication, acknowledgements, table of contents, and body; except block quotations, captions, items in tables, lists, graphs, charts. Single-space footnotes/endnotes, bibliographic entries, lists in appendices. TOC may be single-spaced between chapter subheadings. Glossary definitions may be single-spaced with double space between entries. |
| Title Page Number | not numbered (abstract, title page and copyright page are non-numbered) |
| Front Matter Page Numbers | lowercase roman starting at ii on first page after copyright (preface/dedication/acknowledgements or TOC); bottom center in official template |
| Body Page Numbers | arabic starting at 1 with Chapter 1, consecutive through end incl. appendices, glossary, references, index; bottom center in official template |
| Chapter First Pages | same as body (template) |
| Citation Style | No specific style required; follow your chosen style manual / discipline. Notes placement and style must be consistent throughout; do not mix parenthetical citations with citation footnotes (explanatory footnotes OK). A comprehensive list of references is required at the end of the document even if references appear in notes, regardless of what the style manual recommends. |
| Copyright Page | Highly recommended, not required; non-numbered. Wording (centered): '© Copyright by' / '[Full Name]' / '[Year]'. |
| Contents Heading | Table of Contents |
| Chapter Headings | Each chapter begins on a new page; chapter title no more than 3 inches from top, font no more than 2-3 points larger than base (optional). Template uses 'Chapter 1: Title of Chapter' as Heading 1. |
| Bibliography Heading | Not specified ('References or Bibliography'); template label 'Bibliography / References' |
Title Page Wording
Lines from top to bottom, as the guide shows them. Words in brackets are yours to fill in. Template: title at top, 'by', two blank lines, name, ~5 blank lines, degree statement in inverted pyramid (4 lines) plus year, blank line, then 'Advisory Committee:' block flush left at bottom. Title, by, name, degree statement and year centered.
Title capitalization: ALL CAPS.
Front Matter Order
- Abstract (required, first, non-numbered)
- Title Page (required, non-numbered)
- Copyright Page (highly recommended, non-numbered)
- Preface or Foreword (optional, starts at ii)
- Dedication (optional)
- Acknowledgements (optional)
- Table of Contents (required)
- List of Tables (if any)
- List of Figures (if any)
- List of Abbreviations (if any)
- Body (arabic 1)
- Appendices
- Glossary
- References or Bibliography
- Index
- Curriculum Vitae (optional, non-numbered)
Rules Students Often Miss
- Abstract comes FIRST, before the title page (non-numbered).
- Committee members listed on title page under 'Advisory Committee:' with professorial ranks.
- Comprehensive reference list required at the end even if notes are used and regardless of style manual.
- Glossary must be placed at end, before references.
- Curriculum vitae, if included, unnumbered at the very end.
- Page numbers on landscape figure pages may be suppressed.
- No word limit on abstract (2025).
- Special requirements for Art, Art History, Music, Theatre/Dance/Performance Studies.
What Style Guide Pro Does for You
- Builds the title page in University of Maryland, College Park’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 Maryland, College Park require?
1 inch on all sides. Page numbers at least 3/4 inch from edge. Chapter title may be placed no more than 3 inches from top. Note: the official Word template sets left 1.5 in / right 1.25 in on the abstract, title and copyright sections, and 1 in all around from the front matter on.
Where do page numbers go in a University of Maryland, College Park dissertation?
Front matter: lowercase roman starting at ii on first page after copyright (preface/dedication/acknowledgements or TOC); bottom center in official template. Main text: arabic starting at 1 with Chapter 1, consecutive through end incl. appendices, glossary, references, index; bottom center in official template.
What citation style does University of Maryland, College Park use?
No specific style required; follow your chosen style manual / discipline. Notes placement and style must be consistent throughout; do not mix parenthetical citations with citation footnotes (explanatory footnotes OK). A comprehensive list of references is required at the end of the document even if references appear in notes, regardless of what the style manual recommends.
Can Style Guide Pro format my University of Maryland, College Park dissertation?
Yes. Choose University of Maryland, College Park 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
- The University of Maryland Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) Style Guide, 2025 Edition (2025 Edition (posted 2026-01))
- Full Template for Dissertations (Word) (posted 2026-01)
- Thesis and Dissertation Filing (accessed 2026-10-29)
Summarized from University of Maryland, College Park’s official guide, which Graduate School / Office of the Registrar (ETD) publishes. Checked October 2026. Programs sometimes add their own rules, so confirm with your graduate school or program before you submit.