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Thesis / Dissertation Formatting Manual (2024)


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Selecting a font (typeface)

Be consistent in the use of font/typeface throughout your manuscript. All text material must be in the same font/typeface; all headings and figure/table titles/captions must be in a consistent typeface.

Please select a font, size, and color that are highly legible and will reproduce clearly. TrueType fonts recommended. Ornate or decorative fonts such as script, calligraphy, gothic, italics, or specialized art fonts are not acceptable. For electronic submissions, embedded fonts are required.

Any symbols, equations, figures, drawings, diacritical marks, or lines that cannot be typed, and therefore are drawn, must be added in permanent black ink.

Below are suggested fonts and sizes.

Table of example suggested fonts for theses and dissertations.

  • *Arial 11pt
  • Century 11pt
  • Computer Modern (Tex/LaTex) 12pt
  • *Courier New 11pt
  • Garamond 12pt
  • *Georgia 11pt
  • Lucida Bright 11pt
  • Microsoft Sans Serif 11pt
  • Tahoma 11pt
  • *Times New Roman 12pt
  • *Trebuchet MS 11pt
  • *Verdana 11pt

*Web font designed for easy screen readability. Since many readers are likely to view and/or use your dissertation or thesis on a screen, you may wish to improve the readability of your text by using one of these fonts.

Headings

Establish and follow a consistent pattern for layout of all headings. All headings should use the same font size, font weight, typeface, etc.

For example: center all major headings; place secondary headings at least two lines below major headings.

Typeface/printing quality (paper submissions only)

If you are submitting your manuscript on paper, printer quality is critical to produce a clean, clear image. You are strongly urged to use a laser printer, as ink jet and line printers generally do not produce fully clear, legible results. Dot matrix-type printers are not acceptable.