Templates, Tools, and Resources

ETDR Templates

Though not required, you are strongly encouraged to use one of the templates below to prepare your ETDR.

Note: Using a shared template rather than downloading a new one can result in functionality problems. Many times these templates are broken, incorrect, or outdated. To avoid these issues, be sure to download and use the Graduate School's Word or LaTeX templates below rather than one inherited from another graduate student.

Download a Word template

The Word templates work on both Macs and PCs and can be opened in any version of Microsoft Word. They are in Word 2010-2013 (.docx format) but if you are using an older version of Word, you may be able to save the file in Compatibility mode (.doc format).

Tips for Using the Word Template

It is highly recommended that you meet with an ETDR consultant for a personal overview on using the template. Contact the IT Service Desk (Submit a Ticket or Start a Live Chat). Meetings can be in person or videoconference.
If you are a distance student or do not have time to meet with an ETDR consultant, review the ETDR Handbook (pdf). It provides an overview and many of the details you would receive from an ETDR consultant.
Do ALL your writing in the template and use it as your master file.
Want to focus on writing? Keep just the Title, Table of Contents, and Chapter 1 heading, and start writing. Delete the other sections (Abstract, Copyright, Acknowledgements, etc.) and add them back in when you are almost finished.
If your major professor only wants one chapter at a time, show them how easy it is to go directly to the chapter they want by clicking in the Table of Contents or using the Navigation Pane (click it on the View tab).
Delete sample text in the template when it is no longer needed. It illustrates Word features such as heading levels, images, tables, and captions.
The template makes extensive use of Styles(the "power tools" in Word).

Download a LaTeX template

The LaTeX template uses a separate file for each section of your ETDR and is designed to be compiled with PDFLaTex. The template will not compile with "regular" LaTeX. The template is configured with page margins and other formatting required by the Graduate School and will automatically generate a table of contents, a list of figures, and a list of tables. If you write your ETDR in LaTeX, you are not required to use this template.

Download the LaTeX template (zip). The same template is used for doctoral and masters papers.
The template consists of several files compressed into a single file. Create a new directory named "latex_source" and use an appropriate utility to decompress the file into this directory.
Study the Instructions for Using the LaTeX ETDR Template (PDF) and the Using the LaTex Template for the ETDR video. Additional guidelines are contained within the template.

ETDR Instructional Videos

Personal Bound Copies of Your Thesis, Dissertation or Report

You are not required by the Graduate School to submit a bound, paper copy of your ETDR. Many students, however, are interested in obtaining a bound copy for their personal use. Students can order a bound copy online by sending the PDF of your ETDR to Thesis on Demand or to PHD Book Binding. Bound copies also may be printed through K-State's University Printing, but hard-cover binding is not available.