Formatted Dissertation Manual Content Assessment

Introduction

A dissertation is a significant scholarly document that contributes new knowledge to a field of study through rigorous research and academic inquiry. Developing a dissertation involves defining a topic, assembling a committee, conducting research, writing and submitting the manuscript, and formally presenting findings. This process requires sustained effort, careful planning, and academic discipline. Successful completion of the dissertation marks an important academic milestone it fulfills degree requirements, positions the author as a scholar within their discipline, and contributes meaningful knowledge to the research community.

The School of Graduate Studies maintains and supports high standards of academic rigor, research integrity, and formatting correctness. The School also assists in the preservation and distribution of completed manuscripts through the Julia S. Tutwiler Library.

At the end of the program, doctoral candidates must submit a final, committee-approved dissertation in Microsoft Word format. A bound hard copy will be housed in the Julia S. Tutwiler Library, while the digital version will be accessible via the library catalog.

This manual guides candidates in preparing and submitting their dissertation for approval. It presents the fundamental formatting rules, offers detailed technical guidance, and provides explanations for optional formatting elements. Candidates must read this manual in full before beginning manuscript preparation to ensure complete understanding of formatting rules and their rationale.

The writing, approval, and submission of the dissertation represent the culmination of graduate studies. This manual is organized into six chapters:

Chapter I – General Process, Committee Structure, Dissertation Development, Defense Requirements, and Submission Procedures.
Chapters II–V – Technical Formatting Rules and Detailed Descriptions of Manuscript Components.
Chapter VI – Overview of the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Appendices – Submission Checklist, Additional Requirements, and Official Forms.

Note: This manual applies specifically to UWA doctoral dissertation formatting. Students must also follow their program’s additional requirements found in the UWA Graduate Catalogue and program-specific Student Guide. For program-related questions not addressed here, students should consult their Program Director or Dissertation Committee Chair.

Any formatting issue not explicitly addressed in the UWA Dissertation Manual (2021) must follow the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), 7th Edition, or the Concise Guide to APA Style (2020).

For unresolved dissertation format questions, candidates should consult their Committee Chair or designated School of Graduate Studies personnel.

Dissertation Questions Guidance Chart

Source Purpose Doctoral Program Student Guide Provides program requirements, curriculum details, timelines, and expectations. Dissertation Committee Consult for intellectual content, discipline-specific style, and program requirements. Dissertation Manual (This Document) Primary source for formatting rules, manuscript structure, margins, pagination, and headings. School of Graduate Studies Provides final submission checks, deadlines, and required forms.

Dissertation Steps & Requirements

Dissertation Committee

Every doctoral student is assigned a Dissertation Committee consisting of:

• Three UWA faculty members

• Two from the student’s department (one serves as Chair)

• One from another department

Committee assignments are approved by the Academic Program Director and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.

Program of Study

Students must develop a Program of Study in their research area. Program Directors submit updated Program of Study documentation each semester to the School of Graduate Studies.

Prospectus & Abbreviated Literature Review

While completing required coursework, students begin drafting:

• Chapter I – Introduction

• Chapter II – Literature Review

This serves as the foundation of the dissertation.

Preliminary Exam

The format varies by program (written, oral, or both). Upon passing, the student earns the title Doctoral Candidate.

Dissertation Proposal

The Proposal includes:

• Chapter I – Introduction

• Chapter II – Literature Review

• Chapter III – Methodology

After committee approval, Candidates may submit IRB forms if needed.

Finalizing the Dissertation

After IRB approval (if required), Candidates conduct the study and complete:

• Chapter IV – Results

• Chapter V – Discussion

The manuscript is revised multiple times under committee supervision before final formatting begins.

Submission to the School of Graduate Studies

Final approval requires:

• Microsoft Word file

• Submission 6 weeks before commencement

• Compliance with all formatting rules

Once submitted, no changes may be made unless required by the School of Graduate Studies.

Digital Submission Requirements

• Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx)

• Digital signatures collected after formatting approval

Minimum Text Length per Page

At least 4.5 inches of text, except pages with figures/tables or end-of-chapter pages.

Margins

• Left: 1.4"

• Right: 1.15"

• Top/Bottom: 1.25"

Font Style & Size

• Times New Roman, 12-point

• Footnotes/appendices: minimum 10-point

• Figures/Tables: minimum 8-point

• Bold: headings only

• Italics: titles, biological names, defined terms

• No underlining

Spacing

• Double-spaced text

• No extra spacing before/after paragraphs

• Single spacing allowed only in tables, figure titles, footnotes, table titles/captions

• Widow/Orphan control disabled

Page Numbers

• No numbers on Title Page & Copyright Page

• Signature Page begins at ii

• Preliminary pages: Roman numerals

• Main text begins at 1

• All page numbers centered 1 inch from bottom

Major Headings (Level 1)

• Centered, ALL CAPS, bold

• Two double-spaces below heading

Title Page Requirements

• Title in ALL CAPS

• Name in ALL CAPS

• Location: LIVINGSTON, ALABAMA

• Month and year (no comma)

Signature Page

• First numbered page (ii)

• Contains committee names

• Digital signatures added by the School

Abstract

• Page iii

• Heading: ABSTRACT

• No indent for first paragraph

• No citations

• ≤ 250 words

Optional Pages

• Dedication – Heading: Dedication

• Acknowledgments – Heading: Acknowledgments

Brief Summary of Assessment Requirements

(Your text stays the same only title changed.)

How the Academic Mentor Guided the Student

(Your text stays the same only title changed.)

Outcome Achieved and Learning Objectives Covered

(Your text stays the same only title changed.)

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