- Download: Dissertation/Thesis Template
- Download (choose by citation style): Formatting Checklist - Chicago Style (17th ed.) or Formatting Checklist - APA Style (7th ed.)
- Download the free Adobe Reader to complete the following template pages. Do not use browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or any other PDF programs to fill out templates as they will be misaligned or missing customization components.
- Download the template pages and open them in Adobe Reader to customize the fields specified (>>) and sign. Do not print out or scan.
(a) Title page:
Windows: When completed, go to PRINT, but do not choose a printer. Find a pdf 'printer' such as MICROSOFT PRINT TO PDF to embed the information permanently into the file. Instead of printing, it will prompt to save. After saving, template customization options should no longer be available on the file.
Mac: When completed, go to PRINT, but do not choose a printer. Use the PDF option at the bottom left of the screen to SAVE AS PDF to embed the information permanently into the file. It will prompt to save. After saving, template customization options should no longer be available on the file. If that doesn't work, download the Chrome browser if you don't have it and open the saved PDF in the browser. Select ⌘ + P to open Chrome's print SAVE AS PDF option.
(b) Approval page
After customization, students may sign with Adobe's Reader's Fill & Sign (video instructions) Use the same 'print' method as part (a) above. Send the PDF file sequentially to committee members so that all signatures appear on one file. Students may wish to include Adobe Reader's Fill & Sign video instructions to committee members when requesting approval. (Approval page for 4-member committee.)
(c) Copyright page
After customization, students may sign with Adobe's Reader's Fill & Sign (video instructions). Use the same 'print' method as part (a) above.
5. Once all PDFs (the templates and the thesis/dissertation) are complete, use Adobe's free merge PDF tool to combine template pages to the thesis/dissertation for one final PDF file. (It is not necessary to sign up for an Adobe trial account to use the merge PDF tool. Delete browser cookies or use private/incognito mode if there is an account login prompt. Adobe Acrobat, which can also merge PDFs, is also available on library computers next to the scanners.)
