University of Southern Maine
The following guidelines are intended to assist students in the preparation of theses, to establish a University-wide consistency of form, and to ensure high standards of quality. Students are responsible for submitting theses that adhere to general University requirements. Students should prepare their manuscripts, including all documentation, in accordance with an accepted manual of style approved by the appropriate school or department.
The original copy of the thesis must be on white 8-1/2 x 11 bond paper of at least 20 pound weight containing 25% or more rag content.
All copies of the thesis must be produced with text that is dark enough and clear enough to be easily readable. If a word processor is used, the manuscript must be the product of a letter quality printer or its equivalent. If xerographic copies are made, they must be of acceptable quality.
The thesis must be double-spaced throughout, with the exception of quotations, footnotes, illustrations, bibliographies and appendices which may be single spaced. Additionally, poems for a Stonecoast MFA thesis may remain single-spaced.
The final copy must be clean and neat without visible corrections. Correction fluid and tape are not acceptable.
The margins of the thesis must be at least 1.5 inches from the left edge of the paper and at least one inch from the other three edges, leaving a maximum typing area of 5.75 x 9.
The final copy of the thesis must include certain items; other items are optional. Items should be arranged in the order listed below:
A thesis contains two sets of numbers. The preliminary pages (items 1-8 of the thesis) should be numbered consecutively in small Roman numerals. The title page should be considered “i” but should not be numbered. Beginning with the text, all pages must be numbered consecutively in Arabic numerals (items 9-11 of the thesis).
Graphs, diagrams, photographs and other material included in a thesis must be on paper that meets the specifications described above. While photocopies of graphs, diagrams and similar illustrations are permitted, xerographic copies of photographs are not acceptable.
Two copies of the thesis, ready for binding, with all applicable signatures obtained from department and dean, must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies. All students are required to use the binding service provided through the library. Students must submit payment for binding services only in the form of a check or money order. Binding costs are as follows: first copy, for the USM Library, is free; second copy, for academic department, $25.00; any additional copies, for the student, $25.00 apiece. After receiving the thesis copies and fees, the graduation certificate form will be processed by the Office of Graduate Admissions. (Please note, Stonecoast MFA students will not have to pay this fee separately, as it is built into their final semester fees as part of their low-residency program.)
