Templates
Templates in both M.S. Word and LaTeX are provided for formatting master's theses and SDSU/USD Ed.D. dissertations. On this page you will find:
M.S. WORD TEMPLATE
The Word Template contains most of the formatting necessary to prepare a dissertation or
thesis manuscript. However, the SDSU Dissertation and Thesis Manual (DTM) contains more regulations than
can be incorporated into a template, so both the DTM and the Template must be used together. Using the template
without the DTM could result in a rejected manuscript. The
ReadMe File contains complete instructions about how to use the template because formatting is not automatic.
Additional templates contain
(1)
TRAINING AVAILABLE
Baseline Access Training and Support (BATS) offers free workshops in MS Word and in the use of the Thesis Template,
specifically. BATS has a mandatory prerequisite requirement of attendance at their Word Intermediate: Document
Formatting workshop before you will be allowed to attend the Thesis Template workshop. They are scheduled
back-to-back for your convenience. You are strongly encouraged to attend these workshops AND to take them early in
the process (e.g., before you even write your dissertation/thesis proposal).
Although the workshops are not mandatory, they are for your benefit (you can significantly reduce your stress level) and
are a good long-term investment of your time. And...you can take them as often as necessary! Log on to the
BATS website for the complete list of days and times and to
register--you will need your RED ID.
DOWNLOADING INSTRUCTIONS
It is suggested that you save the ReadMe File and the SDSU Template either to your desktop or to the folder in which you
will be working. To download these documents, click on the links below. Then, from the File Menu, select SAVE AS, choose the
SAVE IN location of your choice, and click SAVE. The SDSU Template and ReadMe File were created in Word XP(2003) but
are compatible with Word 2000. If you have trouble opening the template with your version of Word, contact the thesis
reviewer at thesisreview@mail.sdsu.edu.
MacIntosh users: If you have a current operating system and a 2000 or later version of MS Word for MACs, you should
be able to use these templates. Microsoft has configured recent versions of Word to work equally well on either platform. To
download these documents, press CTRL when clicking on the links below and you will get a window requesting that you "Save
Target As." Choose the SAVE IN location of your choice, and click SAVE. If you have trouble using the template with your
MAC, contact the thesis reviewer at thesisreview@mail.sdsu.edu.
WORD TEMPLATES & ASSOCIATED FILES
SDSU Template (updated 5-01-08 )
This update fixes the automatic numbering of chapters and appendices in the Table of Contents and adds a style to apply to
figures.
This is the main template. Additional templates are provided below for the unique SDSU-USD
Ed.D. title & signature pages, landscape orientation, and a
5-member signature page. IMPORTANT--Ed.D. students please note:
If you are viewing this page via the USD Adobe Acrobat display, the SDSU Template link will not work.
Download the template and related files directly from SDSU's Dissertation and Thesis Review Website:
Go to www.sdsu.edu/thesis and click on the left-side navigation link to
Dissertation & Thesis Manual TEMPLATES.
Landscape Pages--SDSU Template.
(updated 5-29-07) These were previously included within the main template (above);
however, that created more problems than it solved. The landscape pages are now separate from, but can be copied and
pasted into, the main template as needed. Follow instructions in this file and the ReadMe file.
SDSU Template, Technical Format -- Not yet available.
ReadMe File (updated 5-01-08 )
This file contains the technical instructions for using the Word template. It must be used in conjunction with the
SDSU Dissertation & Thesis Manual. The current revision has: (1) updated information regarding figures and the new
style to apply to figures, and (2) a link from the Contents to the General Troubleshooting section.
BATS Thesis Template Handout.
(NEW!) This file includes instructions about how to use the template that are taught in
the workshop but not covered in the ReadMe File. Use this file in conjunction with the ReadMe File.
5-Member SDSU Thesis Signature Page.
If you have a 5-member committee, replace the main template's signature page with this one. You may use the copy and
paste function to do this.
SDSU-USD Ed.D. Dissertation Title
and Signature Pages (updated 6-08-05) IMPORTANT: If you are viewing this page via the
USD Adobe Acrobat display, this link will not work. Go directly to SDSU's Dissertation and Thesis Review Website
(www.sdsu.edu/thesis) and click on the left-side navigation link to Dissertation & Thesis Manual
TEMPLATES.
After saving and opening this file, Ed.D students can copy the dissertation title and signature pages from this file
and replace the title & signature pages in the main SDSU Template. NOTE that page 3 of this file is a reminder about what
to modify on the Abstract pages already in the SDSU Template. Do not paste page 3 into the main template!
LaTeX TEMPLATE (last updated 3-24-06, provided by the Math Department)
The LaTeX template complies with Ed. 11.1 of the DTM. The template can be found on the
Department Resources
web page of the Math Department. This template may be used by students from any department who would benefit from using the
LaTeX program. In addition to the LaTeX files, 2 sample theses in pdf format (short and long versions) are provided that
include instructions on how to use the template as well as the math & computer science departments' guidelines on how to
cite sources in text and create the bibliography. A good third-party resource on using LaTeX is the
LaTeX Wikibook. Students using M.S. Word to produce their theses,
should use the sample thesis-long version as their
departmental style guide.
PROFESSIONAL FORMATTERS & SUPPORT SERVICES
The Graduate Division has available a list of Formatters and Other Professionals
(see left-side navigation) who provide thesis formatting, editing, and statistical support services. Students who are
uncertain of their ability to prepare a manuscript according to the DTM may employ a professional formatter.
Editors will check for grammar and spelling and will point out areas that need revision, perhaps making some suggestions,
but they will not substantially rewrite the manuscript for you. Although the Dissertation and Thesis Review Service makes
every effort to list only those who are qualified to perform these services, SDSU neither sets fees nor guarantees the quality
of work of any of the individuals on the list.
Page last updated 5-01-08
