The style manual to be followed for citations and documentation ofsources should be recommended by the academic department. Students should familiarize themselves with the appropriate style manual prior to beginning their research. In most cases, the approved style manual will meet with the approval of the College of Graduate Studies and Research.
Whatever style is used, it must be used consistently throughout the entire thesis. Note that Minnesota State Mankato margin requirements may vary from those listed in the manuals of style. If a discrepancy regarding margins exists between a specific manual of style and these guidelines, the student should follow the margin placement specified below.
No particular typescript is required. A 12–point print size is recommended, with a font that is clear and easy to read. With the exception of appendices, the same font and print size must be used throughout the paper. Typing must be on one side of the paper only and double–spaced.
Left margin: 1.5 inches
Right and bottom margins: 1 inch
Top margin: Page numbers should be placed one inch from the top and right, with
text beginning a double space below the page number. However, the margin for
the beginning of each chapter should be 1.5 inches from the top of the page.
Pagination: All pages of the text should be numbered, including the references pages and the appendices. Page numbering with Arabic numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.) should begin with the first page of actual text and continue through the end of the paper.
Non–standard characters will be allowed when using certain formulas or equations. If in doubt, please consult the College of Graduate Studies and Research prior to printing the final copy. If inked insertions (symbols, irregular lines, etc.) are necessary, they must be done with india ink or a black, felt tip pen.
Figures are generally drawn to fit on 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper. Larger figures may be included if absolutely necessary, and folded to measure not more than 7 by 10 inches, with sufficient margin on the left to allow for binding.
All papers must include a title pge and an endorsement (signature) page. The title page of an alternate plan paper or thesis shall contain the following information: complete statement of title, student's name, identifying legend ("A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of [Master of Arts/Science] at Minnesota State University, Mankato"), location of the University, and month and year of graduation.
Each copy of the final paper shall contain immediately after the title page an endorsement/ acceptance page bearing the date of approval and signatures of the members of the student's examining committee. For some alternate plan papers, this page includes only the signature of the professor teaching the course for which the paper was written. The names of the faculty members shall be printed below their signature lines. At least one endorsement/acceptance page needs to have the original signatures of the committee. Examples of acceptable title and signature pages are included at Sample of Thesis/APP(196KB PDF).
All audiovisual or computer generated components of an alternate plan paper or thesis must be described thoroughly in written form and/or archival quality visual form (e.g. photograph, drawing, diagram, etc.). This description must be included in the bound alternate plan paper or thesis. This documentation may be included as the body of the text, or in an appendix whichever is more appropriate. It is the responsibility of the student to consult with library staff regarding the most appropriate form of media and/or its alternative representation to be used.
Include a complete written listing of the program, along with the text explaining the purpose, development, and use of the program.
Include a script and detailed written description of the content of the video/DVD. Include archival stills or drawings or other images that clearly indicate the style, quality, and intent of the video, and preserve key images of the program. Please consult with the library staff for most recent information on required video for preservation and presentation qualities of each.
Photographs and slides should be archival quality placed on 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper, and bound directly into the alternate plan paper or thesis. Computer–generated images printed on archival quality paper may be used. If color photographs are used, also include black and white archival quality photographs or computer–generated images of the same subjects. Color slides may be used if original slides are inserted in pages of plastic pockets and bound into the alternate plan paper or thesis. Archival quality photographs or computer–generated images of some (or all) the color images should also be included along with a text explaining the work, describing each image and discussing techniques used in producing the images.
Each document should be affixed to a full sheet of appropriate paper or placed in a separate adhesive pocket that is affixed to a standard sized sheet of appropriate paper.
A written transcript of the recording may be prepared and submitted as part of the alternate plan paper or thesis. Cassette tapes must be of the highest quality currently available. Music may be submitted on cassette tapes or compact discs. A CD or cassette must be included in a pocket bound into the alternate plan paper or thesis. When the tape or CD is of a music recital, written program notes should accompany the tape/CD.
All copies of the paper must be printed with a laser printer, printed on opaque, white, 20# or 24# paper of at least 25% cotton content, with a visible watermark. The submitted copies must contain a visible watermark indicating the paper quality required. The original printed copy may be reproduced or photocopied by other processes if copies are legible, permanent, and on the same kind of paper as the original copy. Copies on standard copier paper will not be accepted.
The paper must be submitted unbound with no punch holes or other mutilations. No corrections with pen or pencil are acceptable.
The original and three copies of the thesis or APP (printed on the type of paper noted above) must be submitted by the due date for the semester the student plans to graduate. Four copies of an Alternate Plan Paper are required if written for the advisor, five if written for a professor other than the advisor. Please consult the College of Graduate Studies web page for thesis and alternate plan paper due dates.
Following the appropriate examinations and approval of the examining committee, at least four copies of the thesis or Alternate Plan Paper are to be delivered to the College of Graduate Studies office for their review and binding. Check with the Graduate Office for current binding fee costs and deadlines for submitting papers to their office. The payment for binding shall accompany the copies when they are submitted to the Graduate Office.
All papers are reviewed by the College of Graduate Studies staff where the manuscript is checked to make sure that margins, paper, typing, printing and neatness meet University requirements and that all Graduate College rules and procedures have been followed. Visual quality must meet acceptable standards. It is the student's responsibility to carefully proofread and examine all copies of the paper before submitting it to the Graduate Office. All submitted materials must meet the approved manual of style for the student's program. After the examining committee has approved the paper and signed the endorsement/acceptance page, and the Graduate Office staff has ascertained all requirements have been met, the paper will be accepted and approved by the Graduate Dean.
Binding is arranged by the College of Graduate Studies after Instructor/Committee Approval. The College of Graduate Studies will distribute copies as follows: 1) one copy to the University library, 2) one copy to the University archives, 3) one copy to the major advisor, 4) one copy to the professor of the class in which the paper (APP only) was written—if appropriate and 5) one copy to be picked up by the student or mailed to the address listed on the Application for Graduation. The College of Graduate Studies cannot be responsible for papers that are lost in the mail or if the address provided is not correct. In order to avoid mailing problems, you may provide a self–addressed mailing label when you submit your final paper. Please notify the College of Graduate Studies if you prefer to pick up your final bound copy rather than having it mailed.
Each thesis is bound in maroon, while the Specialist thesis has a green binding. The alternate plan paper is bound in navy blue.
Examples of previously approved theses and alternate plan papers are available on the shelves of the University Library.
A list of names of typists who have indicated an interest in typing theses or APPs is available from the Graduate Office.
