Organizing the Dissertation

Dissertation Overview

All dissertations must include the following elements and pages:

• Title page (aka cover page)

• Signature page (aka committee page but without signatures)

• Copyright page (strongly recommended to protect your scholarship)

• Abstract (We’ll emphasize spending quality time refining the abstract as it’s widely read)

• Dedication page (optional)

• Acknowledgments page (optional, but highly recommended)

• Table of Contents (We’ll recommend that you use auto formatting with Word headings)

• List of Tables (if applicable)

• List of Figures (if applicable)

• Dissertation chapters (See below)

• Footnotes (if separate from dissertation)

• References

• Bibliography (rare but valuable for other researchers – ask your chair)

• Appendix (can include consent forms and other research documents)

See WEX Resource: Dissertation Front Pages With Notes for more information on the “Front” section of the dissertation.

Download AU Dissertation Front Pages Templates Here!

(Individual programs have a tailored set of front pages available in their handbooks.)