Thesis and Dissertation Guide

Formatting Your Document

The university recommends students use either Word or LaTeX for formatting their documents. Various template variations are available in both Word and LaTeX to assist students in effectively formatting their documents.

 

  • Microsoft Word
  • LaTeX

Microsoft Word

Graduate Education provides three Microsoft Word templates designed to meet the Thesis and Dissertation Specifications set by the Missouri S&T Graduate Faculty. These templates are intended to help students prepare their documents efficiently and in accordance with the required standards.

Each template comes with detailed, embedded instructions to guide users through the formatting process. Additionally, a comprehensive guide is available for each template, offering step-by-step assistance to ensure students can navigate and use the templates effectively.

Unlike a simple copy-and-paste approach, these templates are meant to be used interactively. While some formatting features are automated, others require manual adjustments. To ensure a smooth and efficient formatting experience, we strongly recommend that students thoroughly review both the template and the corresponding guide before beginning their work. This preparation will help you understand the template’s functionality and significantly reduce the number of formatting checks needed for your document.

Traditional

Publication Option

Templates developed in Word 2016. 

 

LaTeX

The university-approved LaTeX template was developed by a faculty member on a voluntary basis. Although the university does not offer direct support for the LaTeX template, we maintain a Google Group for all LaTeX users. In this group, you can access links to the templates on GitHub and also engage in discussions, ask questions, and collaborate with your peers.

To gain access to the group and obtain links to the templates, LaTeX users should email matsons@mst.edu. Using other class or style files may not align well with the university-approved specifications. For optimal results, it is recommended to start preparing your thesis/dissertation using the campus-approved class and its associated template.