Step-By-Step Instructions For Writing A Dissertation Cover Page

One of the hardest parts of writing a dissertation, that many students overlook, is getting the formatting right. The exact format that you use will probably depend on your subject or your program’s requirements, so be sure to consult them. Once you do complete the formatting of your dissertation, you may want to consider professional assistance in checking and editing it from websites like this one.

Use these simple step-by-step instructions on how to write a dissertation cover page using APA formatting:

1. Left margin, top of page: You should include the running header on your title page. This probably won’t be your full title, instead it will be a shortened or condensed version of your title that will be on the top of your page. The running head should not be more than 50 characters long, including letters, spaces, and punctuation. It should read “Running head: YOUR RUNNING HEAD TITLE” with ‘Running head:’ in lower case letters and you running head title in all capital letters.
2. Right margin, top of page: Include a page number
3. Center, 1/3 of the way down page: Your title goes here. It should be in 12 point regular font, with each major word capitalized. It should be double spaced.
4. Center, 1/3 of the way down the page: Your name should go below your title, also in 12 point regular font.
5. Center, 1/3 of the way down the page: Your college or university’s name should go directly under your name, also in 12 point regular font.
6. Center, 2/3 of the way down the page: APA also requires an author’s not on the title page of the paper. This is left off of many in-house academic papers such as term papers that will probably never leave the institution at which it was written. But the author’s not is important if you are planning on sending your dissertation out, which many students do. The author’s not should include the complete departmental and school affiliation of each of the authors, including any changes to them if there have been any. Next, it should have acknowledgements, funding sources, and special circumstances if any exist. Finally, it should including the contact information, such as mailing address and email, of each of the authors. The author’s note should be in 12 point regular font and it should be double spaced.