Quick Links
Word templates and instructions for theses, dissertations, and records of study
Basic template
In the Basic Template, the layout is present but the student fills in each part by hand, including page numbers in the Table of Contents (this can get frustrating and difficult to keep accurate).The basic template may be the right choice for students with limited word processing experience, especially in the Microsoft Office Suite, and may be appropriate for ETDs that have few text sections, headings, figures, tables, and equations.
Recommended templates
The recommended templates use styles to automate the Table of Contents and other lists, which also automates all page numbers. Choose which Recommended template best describes your document layout:
Recommended templates may be the right choice for students familiar with word processing software and/or proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite. These templates might save time when working with ETDs that have numerous sections, headings, figures, tables, and equations.
The Word Templates
The templates provided above are in the format designated by Texas A&M University, including spacing, page numbering, margins, and headings. Please see below for tips on navigating the templates.On the Title Page, choose the appropriate items from the dropdown menus (e.g. degree, semester, etc.).
Either type your thesis directly into the template or copy and paste from another source. If you are copying from another source, be sure to remove formatting for easier use. (You can drop the content into Notepad or another plain-text editor to remove formatting.)
Remove any optional pages that you do not want to include (such as Acknowledgements, Nomenclature, etc.). Please note that the Contributors & Funding Sources page is NOT an optional page; it must be included in every ETD.
Be sure each level of subheading is consistently formatted. If you would like to change the style of a subheading, select text from your document that is in the style you’d like to change, open up the Styles menu (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S), then select Manage Styles at the bottom of the Styles menu. Currently, the Recommended Template has the following subheading styles:
- First Level Subheading – Centered, Bold
- Third Level Subheading – Left, Bold
- Second Level Subheading – Centered, Italics
- Fourth Level Subheading - Left, Italics
Do a final update on all lists (Table of Contents, List of Figures, List of Tables) to ensure text and page accuracy. Then change the preliminary page numbers in the Table of Contents to lowercase (see handout).
When you are completely done, convert your document to PDF. Then check document for the following:
- Margins – Consistent throughout document, including all figures/tables within margins
- Page Numbering – No page number on Title Page, preliminary page numbers in roman numerals, and first chapter beginning on Arabic page 1
- Font – All regular text font in 12 pt and the same style
- Spacing – Document is double spaced
- Blank Pages – Remove them
- Content – Double check all of your pages. Sometimes the conversion to PDF process causes random errors like removing images, adding blank pages, removing captions, etc.