Electronic Thesis & Dissertation

The ETD Manuscript

ETD stands for Electronic Theses and Dissertations. All FIU ETDs are submitted in a digital format and archived in Digital Commons, the University’s institutional repository. Only manuscripts of students who have completed all thesis and dissertation milestones will be included in Digital Commons.

Incorrectly formatted documents require a lot of student and administrative time, as they must be evaluated by the ETD Coordinator, sent back to the student, then re-evaluated. Most theses and dissertations range from 30-300 pages, so it’s important that the formatting rules are followed.

Students should understand the style requirements for their discipline and for the University Graduate School. UGS’s formatting rules supersede some style guides, so it’s important to have a grasp of both. Start with the information on this page. You should also review the Common Edits Checklist and your reviewed ETD manuscript draft. The Common Edits Checklist is the same checklist that is used to evaluate your draft and the final version of your manuscript.

Templates and Tutorials

Use the templates and tutorials in each tab to master the formatting for your manuscript.

Title Page

1. The title for the thesis or dissertation should include meaningful keywords descriptive of the subject and content to facilitate its location on a subject index. This is particularly important for doctoral candidates, since titles are the basis for computer searches. “Catchy” titles should be avoided. A thesis concerning “The Purchasing Power of Teenage Girls,” for example, would be difficult to locate if titled “Susie Needs A New Wardrobe.”

Formulae, symbols, superscripts, Greek letters, acronyms, and abbreviated forms in general MUST be spelled out (e.g., K3 Mn(CN)6 is written Potassium Manganicyanide; MMPI is written Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory; TESL is written Teaching English as a Second Language). Bolding is NOT allowed, while quotes are allowed for signaling another work (E.g. “Title of an Article”), and italics is allowed only for Latin and formulas.

2. The major in which the candidate is earning the degree must be written as the approved University major listed in the FIU Graduate Catalog. For example, FIU awards a degree of Master of Science in Biology, not a Master of Science in Biological Sciences. Also, some degrees will not have an ‘in’ (e.g. Master of Music). You should not list subplans like Master of Music in Guitar Performance. If there are any questions about the degree name, the candidate should consult the current FIU Graduate Catalog. Also double checking PantherSoft could reveal the exact major under the student plan – don’t list the subplan.

3. The candidate’s name must be the name under which he or she is registered at FIU and must match the name that appears on the approval forms, copyright page (if the copyright is being registered), signature page, and abstract. If the student wishes to change the name of record, an appropriate petition must be filed in the Office of the Registrar.

The date at the bottom of the title page is the year in which the degree is awarded. This is the same year in which the manuscript is filed, except in the case when the manuscript is filed with the University Graduate School after the published deadline. For example, if a student files the manuscript after the fall semester deadline, the degree will be awarded in the spring semester of the following year and is to be dated accordingly.

There is no page number on the title page. The title page is counted as the first preliminary page but is not numbered.

Dissertation Title Page Template

Thesis Title Page Template

Committee Page

The Committee page must be included in the ETD manuscript
In the manuscript, the Committee page must not include any signatures

The Committee page is always page ii of the manuscript, and it is the first page on which a number appears (ii appears 1/2 to 3/4 inch from the bottom of the page). Every page from this page on is numbered. The preliminary pages are in Roman numerals (i, ii, iii), and the body text pages are in Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3).

The candidate’s name, as recorded by the FIU Office of the Registrar, appears on the Committee page. The name should be the same as that which appears on the first page of the Abstract, the Title page, Copyright page, and the Final ETD Approval form.

List the names of each committee member and the major professor. The name of the major professor must be listed last. The title “Major Professor” follows that individual’s name. If there are two major professors, each is titled “Co-Major Professor”. Do NOT include Dr., Professor, or any other titles or academic letters for the major professor or committee members (e.g. Dr. Peter Jordan is not acceptable while Peter Jordan is acceptable).

The date when the oral defense took place is typed after the major professor. The last name on the page is that of the dean of the University Graduate School. The date at the bottom of the page is the year in which the degree is awarded and is the same as the year on the Title page and the Abstract.

The Committee page should only be one page.

Dissertation Pages

Major Professor and 3 Members

Major Professor and 4 Members

Co-Major Professor and 2 Members

Co-Major Professor and 3 Members

Co-Major Professor and 4 Members

Thesis Pages

Major Professor and 2 Members

Major Professor and 3 Members

Major Professor and 4 Members

Co-Major Professor and 1 Member

Co-Major Professor and 2 Members

Unlocking the Templates

You may need to unlock these templates to copy and paste them into your document or change the font type to match the rest of your document.

Windows Instructions

1. Click File –> Info –> Protect Document –> Restrict Editing. The Restrict Editing pane will open on the right side of the page.

2. Click Stop Protection at the bottom of the Restrict Editing pane.

Mac Instructions

In the Mac version of Word, you’ll need to make sure the Developer tab is visible before you can unlock the templates:

1. Click the Word menu.

2. Click Preferences.

3. In the Authoring and Proofing Tools section, click View.

4. In the Ribbon section, select the Show Developer Tab check box.

5. Click the Developer tab, then Protect Form.

The following information must appear centered (vertically and horizontally) on the copyright page:

To be consistent, use your name as it appears in title page, signature page, and abstract. The format for the copyright page is the same for the master’s thesis and the doctoral dissertation. If the copyright has already been registered, insert the registration number after the author’s name, the year the copyright was obtained in place of the year the degree was awarded.

The candidate can insert the copyright page regardless of whether they register the copyright or not.

The candidate is responsible for acknowledging each permission to reproduce an external work in accordance with the wishes of those granting permission (this can be done on the acknowledgments page).

NOTE: You should only need to worry about registering your copyright if you foresee a need for litigation for damages. Otherwise, you have copyright as soon as you fix your work in tangible form.

Dedication Page (Optional)

Acknowledgments Page (Optional)

This page is to thank those who have helped in the process of obtaining the graduate degree. Acknowledgments are optional, except when you have external funding e.g., fellowships, grants, etc.

Acknowledgments are to be typed double-spaced under the heading ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (centered, all capital letters, no underlining, no italics, no bold). The text must acknowledge any FIU fellowships. No bolding, quotation marks, or italics in body of text.

NOTE: The most common error on this page is the spelling of acknowledgments. Do not spell acknowledgEments. For FIU purposes, please spell ‘acknowledgments’ (without the E before the M).

Acknowledgments Page Template

Abstract Page

The words ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION (doctorate) or ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS (master) appear in capital letters at the top margin. Double space everything. The title, candidate’s name, year of degree, and name of the major professor must match the spelling used on other preliminary pages and the approval forms.

The title “Professor” precedes the name of the major professor (no matter what the individual’s normal title is). The title “Major Professor” follows the name. If you have Co-Major Professors, both Professors should appear as the following: Professor *** ****, Co-Major Professor.

The abstract is published without further editing or revisions; therefore, special care must be taken in its preparation.

Master’s thesis abstract is not to exceed 150 words.

Doctoral dissertation abstract must not exceed 350 words.

Thesis Abstract Template

Dissertation Abstract Template

Table of Contents

The Table of Contents should have a heading of TABLE OF CONTENTS in capital letters, centered at the top margin (1”). Right below the main heading, the subheadings CHAPTER and PAGE MUST be separated from title (above) and entries (below) by double spacing. The contents should begin with the first chapter title (e.g. Preface, Introduction, Chapter I) and continue until the last chapter of the manuscript is listed. This applies to the list of references, appendices and vita (where applicable).

Be sure to match the titles in spelling and style (e.g. CHAPTER I on table of contents should match CHAPTER I on page 1).

Do NOT include preliminary pages in the table of contents.

Do NOT list all the appendices, but include the page number where they start, and make sure that page matches what the table of contents list in terms of spelling and style (e.g. CAPS).

Page numbers must be given for each item listed, and the page numbers must be aligned.

Single space within a chapter, but double space between chapters.

Table of Contents Template

List of Tables/Figures/Symbols/Plates and Abbreviations & Acronyms

The lists of tables, figures, symbols, abbreviations and acronyms, and plates should have a heading of LIST OF TABLES (FIGURES, etc.) in capital letters, centered at the top margin (1”). You can use the Table of Contents template to format these pages.

In the lists of tables and figures, the subheadings TABLE (FIGURE) and PAGE should be typed double-space below the main heading. Table and figure titles should be single-spaced with double spacing between entries. Page numbers must be given for each table and figure listed. The titles should be listed word-for-word as they appear in the text.

Include a list of tables or list of figures only if there are five or more tables or figures in the manuscript. The list of tables and list of figures should not be combined into one list.

Note: The last page of the table of contents or the lists of tables, figures, symbols, abbreviations and acronyms, and plates (if any) is the last page of the preliminary pages and the last page numbered with Roman numerals. Any other item in a manuscript that has not been specifically listed and discussed above must not be included in the preliminary pages.

Abbreviations and Acronyms Sample

Rules for Body Text

Do not leave big gaps on the pages.
Double space between references and footnotes, BUT single space within each entry.
All non-textual insertions must be decipherable and clear even if you have to take up the whole page.
The body starts with page 1.
Landscape pages are fine.
Make sure the chapter and sub-chapter headings are formatted exactly how they appear on the Table of Contents.
Make sure the chapter and sub-chapter headings are found on the same pages that the Table of Contents lists them.
Do NOT use more than one font type and size. This includes headings, titles, etc. Captions may be a smaller font size than the rest of the body text but must still be the same font type.
Do NOT leave a widow/orphan. A widow is the last line of a paragraph at the to of a page, appearing by itself; an orphan is the first line of a paragraph or heading at the bottom of a page.
Single-space within figure and table captions.
If the manuscript is a collection of works, each work should be treated as a separate chapter. It’s acceptable to have a title page for each work/chapter.

References and Footnotes

Single space within an entry, & double space between entries for references and footnotes.
Between REFERENCES (page title) and first entry, there should be no more and no less than a double space.
Do NOT bold the REFERENCES heading.
REFERENCES should be at the 1” top margin. If each chapter contains its own references section, that section should begin beneath the final line of text in the chapter and not on a separate page.
Footnotes can be as small as a size 10 font, BUT make sure the font type matches the rest of the document.
Heading can be REFERENCES, LIST OF REFERENCES, BIBLIOGRAPHY, etc.

References and Footnotes Sample

Inserting Images, Charts, & Equations

1) Inserting Images: It’s important to optimize your images so that your ETD file stays a modest file size (<1-10MBs). Best way is to convert large file formats like TIFF to smaller formats like JPEG. This isn't an exact rule, but if your Word document is over 50MB, then that's probably too much. The video below explains how to optimize images. 2) Inserting Charts/Graphs: Microsoft Excel offers several options for importing graphs or charts into Word. The only acceptable way to do this is by pasting or importing as a picture. Do not link the data as this will cause conversion problems when the library attempts to create a robust preservation copy of your work.

3) Inserting Equations: First, we suggest you use the most current version of Microsoft Word, which all students are entitled to a free copy of. Second, students should, if possible, use the Microsoft Equation 3.0 tool. The Equations tool (pi symbol) may be used, but it can cause font problems. Please watch the video for explanation.

Vita

The vita is required for doctoral dissertations ONLY. The vita provides a brief biographical background of the candidate. It is not intended to be a comprehensive resume or curriculum vitae. The heading, VITA (centered, in capital letters, and not underlined), should be typed below the top margin. All vita entries should be listed in strict chronological order, with no subcategories or subheadings. The vita can include place of birth, dates of degrees and names of colleges or universities (exclude the degree for which this dissertation is written), academic or professional employment, publications and presentations.

If the candidate wishes, it may also include military service, honors, awards and distinctions. The vita should not exceed two pages.

If including publications and presentations do not break them into two separate categories. Type a heading PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS as illustrated in the sample page. List all entries in strict alphabetical order by first author’s last name. List presentation entries using a standard citation format. If a presentation paper has not been subsequently published and the candidate is uncertain about citation format, a style manual should be consulted for correct formats for unpublished presentation papers.

Vita Sample

LaTex

The LaTex template was developed by a faculty member and donated to UGS. Overall, it conforms to most of our formatting requirements, but it is provided on an as-is basis, and we may still ask you to adjust the format of your unique manuscript. UGS assistance for modifying LaTex coding is limited, so please be aware that we may not be able to offer technical support in this area.

UGS LaTex Template

Resources

Common Edits Checklist

Use this list to check the formatting for your manuscript. This is the same checklist that the ETD Coordinator uses to review your draft.

ETD Preparation Manual

Additional Resources

Digital Commons

Digital Commons

Digital Commons is a service of the Florida International University Libraries and provides a centralized access point for scholarship, creative works and history of the FIU community. Sharing your work in Digital Commons allows you to provide your scholarship openly while still retaining full rights to your work. Contributing authors receive monthly readership reports by email and can track interest in their research through the author dashboard. Submission to Digital Commons is required for all FIU ETDs.

ProQuest Dissertations and Theses

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses

Comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses from around the world, spanning from 1861 to the present day and offering full text for most of the dissertations added since 1997. ProQuest submission is optional and is only available for dissertations.

FIU Libraries

FIU Libraries

Dr. Elana Karshmer, Graduate Studies Librarian

Dr. Elana Karshmer

As the Graduate Studies Librarian, Dr. Karshmer can provide additional help with research and scholarly communications issues.

Center for Excellence in Writing

Center for Excellence in Writing

The Center for Excellence in Writing assists students and faculty in all stages of the writing process through face-to-face and online tutoring, workshops, and community engagement.

Binding

The list below includes binding companies have experience working with theses and dissertations. Additionally, the website for the Library Binding Council includes a directory of binding companies in the United States and abroad.

Soft binding is available through the copy center on campus.

Note: Neither FIU nor the University Graduate School are responsible for the work of binding companies.

Binding Companies

International Assets
4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, South Wing
Miami, FL 33149
Phone: 305-421-4184
http://www.iadigitalprint.com

D & B Book Binders
1030 E 14th Street
Hialeah, FL 33010
Phone: 305-885-5215
http://www.dbbinders.com

GradWorks Online
Phone: 801-422-1469 and 801-422-2741
gradworksonline.com

PHD Bookbinding
8708 South Congress Avenue
Suite A-180
Austin, TX 78745
Phone: 512-478-0871
Email: mail@PHDBookbinding.com
www.PHDBookbinding.com

Thesis On Demand
c/o HF Group
1010 North Sycamore Street
North Manchester, IN 46962
Phone: 800-334-3628
Email: tod@hfgroup.com
www.thesisondemand.com

FIU’s Institutional Review Board (IRB)

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee established under federal regulations for the protection of human subjects in research (45 CFR 46). Its purpose is to help protect the rights and welfare of human participants in research. FIU faculty, staff, and students are required to obtain IRB approval prior to conducting research with human subjects. This applies to both on-campus and off-campus research, regardless of funding.

This site contains the necessary tools and information to assist investigators during the IRB protocol submission and review process. You can find them on the left navigation menu including Obtaining IRB Approval, which provides step by step instructions on preparing your submission; Policies & Procedures, which contains helpful resources on conducting research with humans subjects, and IRB FAQs, which contains answers to commonly asked questions.

Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC)

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is a federally mandated committee that reviews all protocols involving animals to ensure that they are justified by their benefits and minimize any distress.

The IACUC is dedicated to supporting the education and research mission of the University while maintaining compliance with Federal and State animal care principles, guidelines, and regulations. The Florida International University’s Animal Care and Use Program encompass all animal use by the University for research, teaching, and training.

This site contains the necessary tools and information to assist investigators during the IACUC protocol submission and review process. You can find them on the left navigation menu including Obtaining IACUC Approval which provides step by step instructions on preparing your submission, Policies & Procedures which contains helpful resources on conducting research with animals, and IACUC FAQs which contains answers to commonly asked questions.

Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

The purpose of the IBC is to ensure that the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules are adhered to at FIU. The purpose of the NIH Guidelines is to specify the practices for constructing and handling: (i) recombinant nucleic acid molecules, (ii) synthetic nucleic acid molecules, including those that are chemically or otherwise modified but can base pair with naturally occurring nucleic acid molecules, and (iii) cells, organisms, and viruses containing such molecules. See the section Definition of Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules for further detail. Additional guidance can be found here.

FIU requires that all research and teaching activities involving recombinant and/or synthetic nucleic acid molecules at the University be registered and approved with the Institutional Biosafety Committee prior to commencing any activities (regardless if the study falls under Section III-E or III-F of the NIH Guidelines). Therefore, studies falling under Section III-E require IBC approval prior to commencing with the activities. Studies falling under Section III-F require an IBC exemption approval prior to commencing with the activities.

This site contains the necessary tools and information to assist investigators during the IBC protocol submission and review process. You can find them on the left navigation menu including Obtaining IBC Approval which provides guidance on whether your work would fall under the IBC purview, as well as, step by step instructions on preparing your submission, Policies & Procedures which contains helpful resources on conducting research with Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid, and IBC FAQs which contains answers to commonly asked questions.

Responsible Conduct of Research

Florida International University promotes Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) practicing high standards of ethics and accountability in planning, implementation, behavior and information dissemination. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to provide safe work environments, which foster the values of a shared responsible community.

Copyright Resources

Copyright LibGuide

An introductory guide to copyright. In addition to basic copyright information, you can find information about Creative Commons licenses and links to additional resources.

ETDPlus Copyright Guide

This guide from the Educopia Institute explains the basics of copyright, along with tools and resources that can help you evaluate your situation and determine how to proceed.

Consider Submitting Your Data

Researchers can archive their data through FIU’s Research Data Portal to ensure long-term preservation and accessibility. Library personnel are available to provide guidance throughout the submission process.

Contact: rdm@fiu.edu

Why Make Your Data Available Online?

As an FIU graduate, making your research data available online offers several important benefits—not only for your academic journey but also for your future career:

Build Your Credibility: Open data fosters trust, highlights your attention to detail, and strengthens applications for jobs, fellowships, or advanced programs.

Boost Your Research Impact: Sharing your data makes your work more visible, increases citations, and integrates it into future projects.

Prepare for Research Careers: Learn key skills in data archiving and sharing now to stay competitive in academia and industry.

Expand Collaboration Opportunities: Public data connects you with researchers and mentors, leading to partnerships and projects.

Follow Academic Best Practices: Sharing data supports transparency and open science, aligning with funding and journal expectations.

Showcase Your Expertise: A well-managed data portfolio makes your research discoverable and demonstrates technical proficiency to future employers.