Checklist · MIT Libraries (thesis specifications)

MIT thesis format checklist

The formatting rules from Massachusetts Institute of Technology's official thesis and dissertation guide, condensed into a list you can tick off before your format review.

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Margins

Not stated in official guide (the guide refers to 'the specified margins' for footnotes but gives no measurement).

Font and size

Font: not required; a sans serif font is suggested for readability.

Font size: Not stated in official guide.

Line spacing

Body text may be single-, double-, or one-and-a-half-spaced.

Abstract, biography, notes, bibliography and acknowledgment should be single-spaced.

Page numbers

The title page is always page 1; every page counts even if no number is printed.

The whole thesis (title page, prefatory material, illustrations, text, appendices) is paginated in one consecutive sequence.

Front matter order

Title page — required, all on one page, with the required MIT license legend and a copyright notice.

Signature page — not required (check with your department).

Abstract page — required, immediately after the title page, generally no more than 500 words, single-spaced.

Acknowledgements — optional.

Biographical note — optional.

Table of contents — strongly recommended.

List of figures / list of tables — required if the thesis includes figures / tables.

Figures and tables

Include a list of figures and/or list of tables if you have them.

Add alt text to images or figures that convey meaning.

References

Notes and bibliographic references are required.

References may go at the end of each chapter or at the end of the thesis.

Style may be prescribed by your department; otherwise pick one and be consistent.

Submission

Submit a PDF to your department; the department transfers approved theses to the MIT Libraries.

Thesis information must be entered in the Libraries' thesis submission system before your graduation day and must match your title page and abstract.

Do not password-protect or encrypt the PDF; PDF/A-1 is preferred for preservation.

Theses are made public in DSpace@MIT (not ProQuest, per this guide).

Deadlines

Submit to your department on the dates in the MIT Academic Calendar. Specific dates: Not stated in official guide (see the Academic Calendar).

Items the official pages we read did not state: Margins, Font and size, Deadlines. Ask your thesis office or check your department.

Official sources

• MIT Libraries — Specifications for thesis preparation and submission — checked October 22, 2026