Abstract Cover Page
A thesis begins with an Abstract Cover Page. The format of the Abstract Cover Page is prescribed by the Graduate School, and the format, shown in Appendix 1, must be followed exactly. (Note: this is depicted as Appendix G in the Graduate School Thesis Handbook; see links at left). No page number is assigned.
Thesis Abstract
Each thesis must include a 400-600 word Abstract that summarizes the purpose, methodology, findings, and conclusions of the study. The Abstract page itself should begin with the title “ABSTRACT” all in capitals, centered and located 2 inches from the top of the page. The first line of text in the abstract should begin three spaces below the title; see Appendix 2. (Note: this is depicted as Appendix G in the Graduate School Thesis Handbook; see links at left). The abstract is double-spaced, but no page numbers are assigned. Keywords, a list of three to six words or short phrases, should be included below the Abstract, as shown in Appendix 2.
Thesis Cover Page
The format of the Thesis Cover Page is prescribed by the Graduate School, and the format, shown in Appendix 3, must be followed exactly. (Note: this is depicted as Appendix F in the Graduate School Thesis Handbook; see links at left). The Thesis Cover Page does receive a number (i), but it does not appear on the page, nor is it listed in the Table of Contents.
Acknowledgment Page (optional)
On the Acknowledgment Page you may recognize the people to whom you are indebted for guidance and assistance, and those to whom you are grateful for any special aid.
The Acknowledgment Page is formatted like the Abstract Page and First Chapter or Section pages, with the word “ACKNOWLEDGMENTS” centered and resting two inches from the top of the page, and the text (double-spaced) beginning three spaces below (see Appendix 4). The Acknowledgment Page, if included, is numbered “ii” at the bottom of the page, like all subsequent preliminary pages, and is the first entry in the Table of Contents.
Table of Contents
This is essentially a topic outline of your thesis. You may list only major section (or chapter) headings, or you may choose to list all subdivisions. All entries in the Table of Contents must correspond exactly to the title in the text.
The first page of the Table of Contents is formatted like any “first page” in the thesis, with the words “TABLE OF CONTENTS” all in capitals, centered and resting two inches from the top of the page, and the first entry beginning three spaces below. Each listing must specify a page number where the entry can be found. See Appendix 5 for the recommended format and spacing.
List of Tables
The first page is formatted like the Table of Contents. List each Table from the text and appendices by number and title, exactly as they appear in the body of the thesis. Tables should be numbered consecutively throughout the manuscript. See Appendix 6 for the recommended format and spacing.
List of Figures
Format the same as for the List of Tables. See Appendix 7 for an example.