Northeastern University Thesis Format Guide

Northeastern University maintains comprehensive formatting standards for all graduate research theses and dissertations. This guide covers Northeastern’s specific formatting requirements.

Page Setup and Margins

Northeastern’s margin specifications ensure proper binding and professional presentation.

Left Margin: 1 inch, or 1.25 inches if binding on left - Check with your college.

Right Margin: 1 inch - Standard margin.

Top Margin: 1 inch - Applied consistently across all pages.

Bottom Margin: 1 inch - Ensures proper spacing for page numbers.

Paper Size: Standard letter size (8.5” x 11”) is required.

Page Orientation: Portrait (vertical) orientation is standard.

Setting Margins in Word: Page Layout > Margins > Custom Margins (left: 1”, right: 1”, top: 1”, bottom: 1”).

Font Requirements

Northeastern maintains clear font specifications for thesis preparation.

Body Text Font: Times New Roman in 12-point size is standard.

Line Spacing: Double-spacing (2.0) is required for all body text.

Footnotes and Endnotes: May be single-spaced in 10-point font.

Font Consistency: Use the same font throughout body text.

Headings: Chapter headings in 14-point bold, section headings in 12-point bold, subsection headings in 12-point bold italic.

Tables and Figures: May use fonts as small as 10-point if necessary.

Title Page Format

Your title page must include:

Required Elements:

• Thesis title
• Author name
• Degree (e.g., Doctor of Philosophy)
• Program/Department
• Northeastern University
• Date of submission

Layout: Center all elements with balanced spacing.

Page Numbering: Not numbered but counts as page i.

Line Spacing: Single-spacing for title page.

Abstract Requirements

Length: 150-350 words for most Northeastern theses.

Content: Summarize your research problem, methodology, findings, and significance.

Page Placement: On its own page following the title page.

Title: Center “ABSTRACT” in capitals.

Formatting: Double-spaced, same font as body text.

Table of Contents

Format: Include chapter titles and major sections with page numbers.

Title: Center “TABLE OF CONTENTS” in capitals.

Formatting: Double-spaced with dot leaders.

Automatic Generation: Use Word’s References > Table of Contents.

Heading Styles and Hierarchy

Chapter Headings (Level 1): 14-point bold, centered, begin on new page.

Section Headings (Level 2): 12-point bold, left-aligned.

Subsection Headings (Level 3): 12-point bold italic, left-aligned.

Paragraph Headings (Level 4): 12-point bold, run-in style.

Consistency: Use Word’s Styles gallery for all headings.

Page Numbering

Proper page numbering is essential for navigating your thesis and follows specific conventions throughout your document.

Front Matter: Use lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv, etc.) for title page, abstract, acknowledgments, and table of contents. The title page is not numbered, though it counts as page i in the sequence. This Roman numeral convention clearly distinguishes front matter from body text and is standard academic practice.

Body Text: Begin Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.) with your introduction or first chapter. Continue using Arabic numerals through your conclusion and bibliography without resetting. This unified numbering system makes cross-referencing and navigation straightforward.

Appendices: Continue with Arabic numerals through all appendices without resetting. This maintains continuity with your body text numbering and helps readers locate specific appendix pages easily.

Page Number Location: Place page numbers in the upper right corner of each page (except the title page), or center them at the bottom of each page. Choose one approach and apply it consistently throughout your entire thesis.

Implementation: Use Insert > Page Numbers to add automatic numbering to your document. To change numbering styles between front matter and body text, insert a Section Break (Page Layout > Breaks > Section Break) and configure numbering separately for each section. This allows the two sections to use different numbering styles simultaneously.

Citation Style Requirements

Northeastern permits different citation styles by college and program.

Engineering: IEEE style is typical.

Sciences: APA or CSE is common.

Other Programs: Follow program-specific requirements.

Verification: Check with your college for specific requirements.

Using GenText: GenText supports IEEE, APA, Chicago, CSE, Harvard, and other major formats.

Figure and Table Formatting

Table Titles: Above tables in 12-point font.

Figure Captions: Below figures.

Source Citations: Include sources for all data.

Integration: Embed in text near references.

Lists: Include if you have more than 5 figures or tables.

Bibliography and References

Organization: Alphabetical by author’s last name.

Title: Center “BIBLIOGRAPHY” or “REFERENCES” in capitals.

Formatting: Use hanging indentation, double-spaced.

Appendices

Labeling: Label as “Appendix A,” “Appendix B,” etc.

Page Numbering: Continue from main text.

Content: Include supplementary materials.

Electronic Submission Requirements

File Format: Submit as PDF with embedded fonts.

File Naming: Follow Northeastern conventions.

Submission Deadline: Check your graduate program for deadlines.

Tips for Formatting in Microsoft Word

Create Custom Styles: Before beginning your thesis, define custom styles for body text, chapter headings, section headings, subsection headings, block quotations, and footnotes. This approach ensures uniform formatting throughout your document and allows you to make global changes to all instances of a particular style. Access Styles via Home > Styles > Styles Pane.

Use Section Breaks: Insert Section Breaks (not regular page breaks) between your front matter and body text to enable different page numbering styles in each section. Go to Page Layout > Breaks > Section Break (Next Page). Configure page numbering separately for each section through Insert > Page Numbers.

Generate Table of Contents: Use Word’s automatic Table of Contents generator to create a complete, accurate table of contents that can be automatically updated. Go to References > Table of Contents and select your preferred style. Update the table before final submission via right-click > Update Field.

Verify Margins: Before submitting, verify all margins via Page Layout > Margins > Custom Margins to ensure they match Northeastern’s requirements exactly.

Manage Footnotes: Use References > Footnotes to insert footnotes consistently. Configure numbering format, positioning, and other options to match Northeastern requirements.

Use Navigation Pane: Access View > Navigation Pane to see your document structure and navigate between sections quickly.

Save and Backup: Save frequently (every 15-30 minutes) and maintain backup copies on external drives or cloud storage.

Common Formatting Issues and Solutions

Issue: Inconsistent Heading Formatting Solution: Use only Word’s Styles gallery for headings. Define styles before writing and apply them uniformly. Never manually format individual headings.

Issue: Margins Not Applied Consistently Solution: Select all text (Ctrl+A) before applying margins to the entire document. Use Section Breaks if different margins are needed in specific sections.

Issue: Table of Contents with Incorrect Page Numbers Solution: Update your table of contents after all editing is complete by right-clicking and selecting “Update Field.”

Formatting Checklist

Before submitting your Northeastern thesis:

• All margins meet specifications (1” standard, 1.25” left if binding)
• Body text: Times New Roman, 12-point, double-spaced
• All headings properly formatted and using Styles gallery
• Page numbering correct (Roman numerals for front matter, Arabic for body)
• Abstract: 150-350 words, properly formatted
• All tables/figures have titles/captions with sources
• Bibliography complete, alphabetized, properly formatted
• All citations consistent throughout
• Title page includes all required elements
• Table of contents complete and accurate
• PDF has embedded fonts
• File naming follows Northeastern conventions

Related Resources and Tools

GenText Citation Generator: Supports IEEE, APA, Chicago, CSE, Harvard, and other major citation formats. Generate accurate citations automatically and build your bibliography.

Word Formatting Tutorials:

• How to Format a Thesis in Word
• How to Create and Update a Table of Contents
• How to Use Section Breaks for Different Page Numbering
• How to Create Custom Heading Styles
• How to Manage Footnotes and Endnotes

Other University Guides: Compare Northeastern’s requirements with other universities’ guides to understand universal formatting principles versus institution-specific requirements.

Conclusion

Proper thesis formatting at Northeastern demonstrates professionalism and academic integrity. Breaking requirements into manageable components and using Word’s built-in tools effectively makes the process straightforward.

The attention you pay to formatting reflects your commitment to scholarly excellence. By following this guide carefully and using custom styles consistently, you’ll produce a thesis that meets all Northeastern requirements and presents your research professionally.

For the most current information on Northeastern thesis requirements, consult your graduate program coordinator or the University website. Program-specific requirements may vary, so verify with your advisor before beginning.

With careful attention to these requirements, your thesis will meet all Northeastern standards and present your research professionally and accessibly.