Section-Specific

Overview

Students are responsible for meeting all the format requirements as outlined by The Office of Graduate Studies on this website. 

Click on any section link in the menu to view formatting requirements for that specific section. Each section includes guidelines, examples, and instructions.

In addition to these section-specific requirements, there are also general format requirements needed throughout the thesis/dissertation. Those can be found under ETD Formatting - General.

LaTeX Resources

Document ADA Requirements

The Office of Graduate Studies does not require a specific structure or organization of the content in the main body of the manuscript, as you and your committee determine the content, number of chapters, chapter organization, etc.

The Office of Graduate Studies also does not require a specific style; however, individual graduate programs may require the use of one (i.e., APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). The most important thing is to make sure you are consistently using said style throughout the manuscript.

Adhere to your graduate program鈥檚 style requirements, but note that some institutional guidelines will take precedence for publishing of the Electronic Thesis/Dissertation (ETD) through ProQuest. For example, if using APA, you cannot include a running head in the manuscript.

Finally, aspects of the manuscript do need to appear in a specific order, and you must indicate Chapter and Chapter # in the Table of Contents (TOC) and main body of the manuscript.
Chapter # and title are your level one (1st order) headings and combined as such: Chapter #: Title of Chapter or Chapter # Title of Chapter. This is covered in depth under ETD Formatting- Organization.

Please note that all level headings must be bookmarked in the PDF to reflect the organization of the manuscript. This is done by using Styles in Word to tag the headings. You will want to check the organizational structure in the PDF before submitting it to ProQuest to ensure that the headings are bookmarked, accurate, and that the PDF is ADA compliant.

Key Requirements for ADA Compliant PDFs

  • Tagging and Structure
    • Use tags, via Styles in Word, to define headings, figure titles/captions, and table titles/captions so that screen readers can interpret the document structure. Make sure each style is linked to the appropriate level in the manuscript.
  • Searchable Text
    • PDFs must contain actual text, not just images of text. Tables must be actual text and not images of text.
  • Alternative Text (Alt-Text)
    • Please make sure all figures have accurate Alt Text present to ensure that your PDF is ADA Compliant. You can add alt text in word by clicking on the figure and then clicking on Picture Format in the Ribbon. Once Picture Format is open then choose Alt Text and add or modify the text as needed. One to two sentences that describe the figure is all that is needed.
    • If you have alt text but it is not appearing in the PDF make sure to use the 鈥淪ave as鈥 function (If auto-save is on you will have to turn it off to see this option, which is different than 鈥淪ave as PDF鈥). Under Options make sure that 鈥淐reate Bookmarks using: Headings鈥 and 鈥淒ocument structure tags for accessibility鈥 are both checked.
  • Logical Reading Order
    • Ensure the document flows in a logical sequence for assistive technology. Follow the organizational structure required by USF鈥檚 Institutional Guidelines.
  • Color Contrast
    • Text must meet WCAG 2.1 AA color contrast ratios. For USF, black font on a white background must be used for body text, headings, and Figure/Table titles and captions. Color choices within figures and tables will be reviewed individually鈥攖he key is clear, strong contrast for readability. When using color to convey information, do not rely on color alone. Ensure that all color鈥慶oded elements (such as lines, bars, or categories) also include distinguishing patterns, labels, or shapes so the content remains fully accessible to individuals with color鈥憊ision deficiencies.
  • Bookmarking
    • Long documents should include bookmarks for navigation. PDFs submitted to ETD must be bookmarked-this brings the organizational structure from the Word document into the PDF, allowing for easier navigation of the PDF.
    • To create a PDF that is bookmarked, use the "Save As"" feature, select PDF format, click 鈥淢ore Options鈥 and then, if needed, 鈥淥ptions," and check "Create bookmarks using: Headings". This method ensures your document's structural headings become a navigation panel in the PDF.