Tufts University Thesis Format Guide

Tufts University maintains comprehensive formatting standards for all graduate research theses and dissertations. This guide covers Tufts’ specific formatting requirements across all schools.

Page Setup and Margins

Tufts’ margin specifications ensure proper binding and professional appearance.

Left Margin: 1.25 inches - Provides space for binding.

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: 1.25”, right: 1”, top: 1”, bottom: 1”).

Font Requirements

Tufts 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.

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., Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy)
• School/Program
• Tufts 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 Tufts 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

Front Matter: Use lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii).

Body Text: Begin Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) with introduction.

Appendices: Continue Arabic numerals.

Page Number Location: Upper right corner or centered at bottom.

Implementation: Use Insert > Page Numbers with Section Breaks.

Citation Style Requirements

Tufts permits different citation styles by school and department.

Engineering: IEEE style is typical.

Sciences: APA or CSE is common.

Humanities: Chicago Manual of Style is typical.

Social Sciences: APA or Harvard is acceptable.

Verification: Check with your school 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 Tufts conventions.

Submission Deadline: Check your school for deadlines.

Tips for Formatting in Microsoft Word

Create Custom Styles: Define styles before writing.

Use Section Breaks: Separate front matter from body text.

Generate Table of Contents: Use References > Table of Contents.

Verify Margins: Check before finalizing.

Common Formatting Issues and Solutions

Inconsistent Heading Formatting: Use Styles gallery exclusively for all headings. Define styles before writing, avoid manual formatting.

Page Number Errors: Insert Section Breaks (not page breaks) between sections. Configure page numbering separately for each section via Insert > Page Numbers.

Margin Problems: Select all text (Ctrl+A) before applying margins. Use Section Breaks if different sections need different margins.

Wrong Page Numbers in TOC: Update your table of contents after editing. Right-click and select “Update Field.”

Word Formatting Best Practices

Before Writing: Set margins, define custom styles for each heading level, configure headers and footers, establish paragraph formatting.

During Writing: Apply styles consistently, use Ctrl+Enter for new chapters, insert footnotes via References > Footnotes, save every 15-30 minutes.

Before Submission: Update all automatic fields, verify formatting consistency, check margins and fonts, review for errors, create PDF with embedded fonts.

Formatting Checklist

• Margins: 1.25” left, 1” right/top/bottom
• Body text: Times New Roman, 12-point, double-spaced
• Headings: Proper hierarchy via Styles gallery
• Page numbering: Roman for front matter, Arabic for body
• Abstract: 150-350 words, proper formatting
• Tables/figures: Proper titles with sources cited
• Bibliography: Alphabetical, complete, properly formatted
• Title page: All elements included, centered
• Table of contents: Complete and accurate
• PDF: Fonts embedded, proper naming
• No spelling/grammar errors
• Consistent formatting throughout

Related Resources and Tools

GenText Citation Generator: Supports IEEE, APA, Chicago, CSE, Harvard formats. Generate citations and manage your bibliography automatically.

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: Review other institutions’ guides to understand universal formatting principles and how they vary.

Conclusion

Proper thesis formatting at Tufts demonstrates professionalism and academic integrity. Using Word’s tools effectively and creating custom styles before writing makes the process straightforward.

Creating custom styles before you begin writing is the most important step for ensuring consistent formatting. This upfront investment saves significant time during final preparation and ensures your thesis meets all formatting requirements.

For the most current information on Tufts thesis requirements, consult your school or the Tufts website. School-specific requirements may vary, so verify with your advisor.

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