Dissertation Title Page Format Examples (With Templates)

Introduction to Dissertation Title Page Format

The dissertation title page is the very first page of your thesis or dissertation. It typically includes:

• The full title of your dissertation
• Your name (as officially registered with your institution)
• Your institution’s name
• Your department, program, or school
• The type of degree (e.g., Master of Arts, Doctor of Philosophy)
• A statement of submission (e.g., “submitted in partial fulfillment…”) when required
• The date of submission or degree conferral
• Optional elements: supervisor’s name, university logo, student ID number, location

Many universities treat the title page as a formal document. Formatting errors here are among the most common reasons for minor revisions or administrative holds. Some graduate schools even provide templates or strict guidelines in PDF or Word format. For example, many U.S. universities publish thesis and dissertation manuals through their graduate schools (see, for instance, MIT’s Specifications for Thesis Preparation).

Below are seven detailed title page format examples, each with:

• A realistic sample layout
• Notes on when the format is commonly used
• Formatting tips and common pitfalls

Use these as models, but always cross-check with your own institution’s handbook, which takes priority over any general guide.

Core Elements of a Dissertation Title Page

Before looking at examples, it helps to understand the standard components. Most title pages will include some or all of the following:

1. Dissertation Title

   • Clear, specific, and concise
   • Often in Title Case (Capitalize Major Words)
   • May include a subtitle after a colon

2. Author’s Name

   • Full legal name or name registered with the university
   • Middle initials if required by your institution

3. Institutional Affiliation

   • University name
   • School, college, or department (e.g., Department of Psychology)

4. Degree Information

   • Type of degree (e.g., Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy)
   • Field or program (e.g., in Mechanical Engineering)

5. Submission Statement (if required)

   • Example: “A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.”

6. Date

   • Month and year of submission or graduation
   • Some universities require the official graduation month only

7. Other Optional Elements

   • Supervisor or advisor name(s)
   • Committee members (more common on signature pages)
   • University logo or seal
   • City and state
   • Student ID number

Important Note
Always check your graduate school or department guidelines. Requirements can differ significantly between universities and even between programs in the same institution.

Example 1: Traditional Graduate School Dissertation Title Page

This format is common in many U.S. and UK universities, especially in humanities and social sciences.

Sample Layout (centered, double-spaced)

THE INFLUENCE OF ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS ON MODERN GOVERNANCE

by

John A. Doe

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Arts in History

Department of History
College of Arts and Sciences
University of Example
Example City, State

May 2025

When to Use This Format

• Traditional master’s or doctoral dissertations
• Programs that provide a general template but not a strict style manual
• Humanities and social science departments that emphasize clear, formal presentation

Key Formatting Features

• All major elements are centered on the page (left-to-right) and often vertically centered as well.
• Title appears in ALL CAPS in many traditional templates, but your institution may prefer Title Case.
• Double-spacing between major lines, with slightly larger gaps between sections (e.g., between title and author).

Pro Tip
If your university provides a Word or LaTeX template, start from that file rather than building your title page from scratch. It reduces the risk of spacing and margin errors.

Example 2: APA-Style Inspired Title Page for Dissertations

The American Psychological Association (APA) style is widely used in psychology, education, and related social sciences. For student papers, APA 7th edition provides specific title page rules, but dissertations often adapt these rules to institutional requirements.

For official APA guidelines, see the APA Style website.

Sample Layout (centered, double-spaced, following APA 7 principles)

The Role of Social Media in Shaping Public Opinion During Election Cycles

Jane Smith

Department of Psychology
Example University

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

April 2025

In APA-style student papers, a running head is no longer required, but some graduate schools still request:

• A page number in the top-right corner
• Occasionally, a shortened title in the header (check your handbook)

APA-Style Considerations

• Font: APA recommends a readable font such as 12-pt Times New Roman, 11-pt Calibri, or 11-pt Arial.
• Spacing: Double-space all text on the title page.
• Title: Bold, centered, and placed about three to four lines from the top of the page.

Important Note
APA rules for student papers do not automatically apply to dissertations. Your graduate school’s dissertation manual always overrides general APA guidance.

Example 3: MLA-Style Inspired Title Page (When Required)

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is commonly used in literature and language studies. MLA typically does not require a separate title page for shorter papers, but some institutions require one for theses or dissertations.

For general MLA guidelines, see the MLA Style Center.

Sample Layout (centered, double-spaced)

Exploring the Intersection of Literature and Identity in Postcolonial Narratives

Alex Johnson

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy in English Literature

Department of English
Example College
Example City, State

June 2025

MLA-Style Considerations

• MLA emphasizes readable fonts like Times New Roman, 12 pt.
• Double-spacing is standard throughout the manuscript, including the title page (if used).
• Some MLA-based programs may prefer Title Case instead of all caps for the main title.

Pro Tip
If your department uses MLA for citations, your title page may still follow a custom format provided by the graduate school. Always check for a thesis/dissertation formatting guide separate from the general MLA handbook.

Example 4: STEM Dissertation Title Page (With Advisor and Program Details)

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs often include advisor names, specific programs, and sometimes lab or research group names on the title page.

Sample Layout (centered, with some left-aligned details if required)

DATA-DRIVEN OPTIMIZATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY GRIDS IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS

Maria L. Chen

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
School of Engineering
University of Example
Example City, State

Advisors:
Professor Daniel R. Hayes
Professor Priya K. Raman

August 2025

When This Format Is Common

• Engineering and computer science dissertations
• Jointly supervised or co-advised projects
• Programs that highlight both department and school (e.g., School of Engineering within a larger university)

Formatting Tips

• Keep advisor names below your main degree information unless your institution specifies otherwise.
• Maintain consistent spacing between sections; avoid crowding the page.
• If your university requires signatures, these usually appear on a separate approval or signature page, not the title page.

Pro Tip
Many STEM departments provide LaTeX templates for dissertations. Using the official class file (.cls) helps ensure margins, fonts, and title page elements meet institutional standards.

Example 5: Professional Doctorate Title Page (EdD, DBA, DNP)

Professional doctorates (e.g., Doctor of Education, Doctor of Business Administration, Doctor of Nursing Practice) sometimes use slightly different wording to emphasize applied research or practice.

Sample Layout (centered, double-spaced)

LEADERSHIP PRACTICES THAT SUPPORT TEACHER RETENTION IN URBAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Michael R. Lopez

A doctoral dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

College of Education
State University of Example
Example City, State

December 2025

Distinctive Features

• Reference to the Graduate School or specific professional school (e.g., School of Education, School of Business).
• Clear identification of the professional doctorate (EdD, DBA, DNP, etc.).
• Sometimes includes the phrase “doctoral project” or “capstone project” instead of “dissertation,” depending on the program.

Important Note
In some fields, the culminating project is called a capstone, project report, or practice dissertation. The title page wording must match the official terminology used by your program.

Example 6: Minimalist Title Page for Online or Open-Access Submissions

Some universities that host dissertations in online repositories (such as institutional libraries or ProQuest) prefer a clean, minimalist title page that focuses on core metadata.

Sample Layout (centered, single-spaced or 1.5-spaced)

Community Health Interventions to Reduce Childhood Obesity in Low-Income Neighborhoods

Sara K. Patel

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Public Health

School of Public Health
University of Example

2025

Characteristics of a Minimalist Layout

• Focus on title, author, degree, school, institution, and year.
• Often omits city/state and detailed submission statements.
• May be formatted to meet repository metadata or indexing requirements.

Pro Tip
If your dissertation will be archived in a digital repository, check if the library provides specific instructions on the title page, abstract, and keywords. Some repositories standardize these elements for better searchability.

Example 7: Dissertation Title Page With University Logo

Some institutions require or allow the use of a university logo on the title page. This is more common in European and some U.S. universities.

Sample Layout (logo at top, text centered)

(University logo centered at the top of the page)

UNIVERSITY OF EXAMPLE

THE EFFECTS OF REMOTE WORK ON TEAM PRODUCTIVITY IN MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES

Lauren B. Nguyen

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Science in Organizational Psychology

Department of Psychology
University of Example
Example City, State

May 2025

Logo Usage Guidelines

• Use only the official, high-resolution logo provided by your institution.
• Do not stretch, recolor, or modify the logo.
• Follow any rules about logo size and placement (often specified in branding or thesis guidelines).

Important Note
Some graduate schools forbid logos on the title page to maintain a uniform look in bound volumes or digital archives. Never add a logo unless your institution explicitly permits it.

Practical Formatting Guidelines (Fonts, Margins, and Spacing)

While specific requirements vary, many U.S. graduate schools share similar technical standards:

Common Technical Requirements

• Margins: Typically 1 inch on all sides; some institutions require 1.5 inches on the left for binding.
• Font: 12-pt Times New Roman is still widely accepted; some allow Calibri, Arial, or other readable fonts.
• Line Spacing: Double-spacing is standard; occasional single-spacing is allowed for certain elements (e.g., long titles or multi-line institutional names) if specified.
• Alignment: Most text is centered, but a few templates use left alignment for certain blocks (e.g., advisor names).

According to surveys of graduate schools, formatting errors on front matter (title page, abstract, acknowledgments) are among the most frequent reasons for revision requests, often causing minor but time-consuming delays.

Pro Tip
Before final submission, print your title page (even if you submit electronically). Reviewing a physical copy makes it easier to spot spacing issues, misalignment, or inconsistent capitalization.

How to Customize These Examples for Your Institution

Use the examples above as starting points, then adapt them based on your university’s rules.

Step-by-Step Customization Checklist

1. Locate Official Guidelines

   • Search for your university’s “thesis and dissertation manual,” “graduate school formatting guide,” or similar.
   • Many are hosted on .edu sites and updated annually.

2. Identify Required Elements

   • Does your institution require a submission statement?
   • Should you list your department, school, or both?
   • Are advisor names included on the title page or a separate page?

3. Match Wording Exactly

   • Use the exact degree title (e.g., “Doctor of Philosophy in Biology,” not “PhD in Biology”) as listed in official documents.
   • Follow required phrasing such as “submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements…” if specified.

4. Check Order and Alignment

   • Confirm whether elements should be centered or left-aligned.
   • Ensure the correct order: title → author → statement → degree → department → institution → location → date, unless your guide specifies otherwise.

5. Run a Final Compliance Review

   • Compare your title page line-by-line against your institution’s sample.
   • Correct any differences in spacing, capitalization, or wording.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does the dissertation title page count as page 1?

In many institutions, the title page is considered page i (Roman numeral) or page 1 but the page number is not printed on the page. Numbering often begins visibly on the following page (e.g., abstract or acknowledgments). Always follow your university’s pagination rules.

2. Can I use abbreviations (like “PhD”) on the title page?

Most graduate schools prefer the full degree name on the title page, such as “Doctor of Philosophy” instead of “PhD.” Check your institution’s style; if a sample is provided, copy the degree wording exactly.

3. How long can my dissertation title be?

There is no universal maximum length, but many universities recommend no more than 12–15 words for clarity. Extremely long titles may be truncated in catalogs or databases. Some institutions or databases like ProQuest may impose character limits for indexing.

4. Do I need to include my supervisor or committee on the title page?

Not always. Some universities list advisors and committee members only on a separate approval or signature page. Others include advisor names on the title page under a heading such as “Advisor” or “Supervisory Committee.” Check your thesis manual or recent dissertations from your department.

5. Should I put my student ID number on the title page?

Some institutions require a student ID or candidate number to help with internal tracking; others do not allow it for privacy reasons, especially in public repositories. Follow your university’s current policy.

Authoritative Resources for Dissertation Formatting

For institution-level examples and technical specifications, consult:

• MIT Libraries – Specifications for Thesis Preparation – Detailed requirements for title pages, margins, and layout.
• University of Michigan Library – Formatting Your Thesis or Dissertation – Practical guidance on front matter and overall structure.
• APA Style – Paper Format – Official APA recommendations for title pages and formatting (adapt with your graduate school’s rules).

Use these resources alongside your own university’s graduate school or library guidelines to ensure your dissertation title page is accurate, compliant, and professionally presented.