How to Format a Standard Master's Thesis in the School of Education

Some major elements to include when writing a thesis: lots of books and...is that a beverage?

When you are pursuing a master's degree in the field of education, there is a standard thesis format that should be observed. What follows is a quick guide to putting that material together.

Things You'll Need

• Computer, word processor or typewriter
• Paper

Instructions

Writing a thesis within the education arena may be a challenge, but it's by nomeans impossible.

1. The first step is to create an abstract as your first page (just after the cover). Below is an example. ABSTRACT Surviving a Traumatic Brain Injury: The Post-Secondary Successes of One Survivor By Amy Lynne Dotson-Douglas Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of Master of Education at Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio

2. The next step is to write the actual abstract, labeling it as such. This usually takes up no more than one half to one full page, and gives a general idea of what the thesis will discuss and why.

3. Your next step is to lay out a page showing the formal title (as shown in Step 1), but without the word ABSTRACT at the top. This page should look the way the cover of the thesis will look when you have it bound.

4. The next step is to include acknowledgements. These are comments you write thanking anyone who has been of great help to you as you worked on your thesis. The list often includes professors who have been of help, counselors on campus and family and friends.

5. You will next produce a table of contents, which should include chapter titles of the following nature:I. INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT OF PROBLEMII. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATUREIII. METHODOLOGYIV. RESULTSV. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCHREFERENCESAPPENDIX(There may be a number of appendices; these explain your research in the form of charts, interviews or other forms of research)

Tips & Warnings

• Spelling must be checked -- over and over and over.....

• Have the thesis professionally bound and covered.

• In the table of contents, the name of each chapter must be typed in all capital letters, as shown above. In addition, the chapter name should be in all caps on the first page of the chapter.

• Double spacing is necessary.

• Following your particular professor's requirements is the bottom line toward earning the grade you want.

Resources

• FLL Thesis Format Links/ Purdue University