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ETD (Theses & Dissertations) Guide

Beta site: Same content, new look! (Fall 2025)

 

Decorative Header: Templates, Guides, Downloads, & Links

On this page, you'll find downloadable documents referenced in the previous stages. 

For a successful and stress-free experience:

  • Create a folder for your manuscript, and keep any relevant research, writing, or department materials there.
  • Then, create a subfolder for the downloadable documents below, so you can have everything located and organized in one place. Pro-tip: back up all materials regularly to a secondary device or the cloud to avoid losing work.
    • Call MUIT for help with this if you're unsure.

 


ETD Guidelines and Templates

ETD Guidelines (Current edition: 2025-2026)

These guidelines cover the ETD preparation and submission process at Marshall University from manuscript formatting to ETD Review (Policy Check) and final publication.

ETDs will be reviewed according to the guidelines in place the semester they are submitted for publication. Please verify that you are using the most recent version, and always use the most recent Word template.

Your department may have additional requirements not documented here. Confirm any departmental requirements with your advisor and committee chair.

ETD Template

ETD Template (Current edition: 2022-2023)

Please use this template to format your thesis or dissertation for publication.

The front matter (i.e., title page, table of contents, etc.) will be formatted the same for all disciplines.

The body of the manuscript and references should be formatted according to the style guide chosen for your manuscript. Heading, table, and figure examples in the template are presented using APA style, but you may update these in the style you have chosen. 

Your references and the body of your manuscript should be formatted using the same style.

Math & Science students: see the LaTeX section below for a LaTeX template.

NOTE: We are still using the 2022-23 ETD template for the current academic year. Front matter formatting remains the same.

Checklist

Final Draft Checklist for Students (Current edition: 2025-2026)

Before you submit your manuscript for the ETD Policy Check and Publication, review these criteria. It is the same checklist the ETD Librarian uses, and if you go through it yourself before submitting your manuscript, you'll reduce the likelihood of having to make major revisions.

Math & Science students: see the LaTeX section below for a LaTeX final draft checklist.

Committee Signature Page

Committee Approval (Signature) Page Only

For your convenience, we're providing a separate digital download of the page that your committee chair and committee members will need to sign upon a successful defense.

You can Save As - PDF on your device if you need to get digital signatures once you have customized it with your information.

  • Contact MUIT if you need help with Adobe PDF software.

Distribution License Electronic Form

Distribution License Electronic Form

This is a NEW requirement starting Fall 2024

We must have a complete and signed copy of this digital form before your ETD can be reviewed for publication, which is a graduation requirement.

Student authors and their committee chairs must each digitally sign the form linked below:

What is the Distribution License Form?

This form clarifies that students retain the rights to their own thesis or dissertation work and can publish it elsewhere. 

It also emphasizes student and committee responsibilities regarding:

  • Reuse of copyrighted or previously published materials as part of the ETD.
  • Funding agency obligations, data privacy and confidentiality, etc. 

It codifies what has already been Marshall University practice for many years.

Many universities require some version of this form as part of their ETD submission process. The version that Marshall has adopted is a version of the one used by James Madison University (used here under a CC BY 3.0 license) with slight modifications made after review by Marshall University's Office of General Counsel. 

Please reach out to etdreview@marshall.edu with any questions about this form.

This form was adapted from one used by James Madison University under a CC BY 3.0 license and has been reviewed by the Marshall University Office of General Counsel.

LaTeX ETD Template

LaTeX ETD Template for Math and Science ETDs

You may choose to write your manuscript using LaTeX if you are writing on topics in mathematics or the sciences.

LaTeX is a typesetting program for manuscripts with complex equations, text, tables, figures, and other materials. It is free to download at https://www.latex-project.org/.

Dr. Carl Mummert, Assistant Provost for Graduate & Interdisciplinary Studies, created a LaTeX-styled template that integrates Marshall's ETD guidelines, and you can download it at the link below.

  • Questions about LaTeX formatting should be directed to your thesis or dissertation advisor.